The church itself, with parts from about 1617 and a rebuilding in 1690, is documented. The story of the payment and the half buried tomb is the local tradition, and I found no ghost story attached to it. It is included for the burial legend. The figures given, eighteen murders and a thousand pounds, appear in tourist sources and cannot be checked here.
Folklore & legend
Donald MacMurchaidh's Tomb at Balnakeil
Also known as: Domhnull MacMhurchaidh; MacMurdo
Balnakeil Church, Durness
Died 1623; vault said to date from 1619
Balnakeil Church is a roofless ruin beside the road to Balnakeil Craft Village.
- Evidence
- Long-standing local tradition
- Access
- Open ground
- Location
- 58.576, -4.769 (Sited to the building or field)
Sources: Fierce Romance, Balnakeil Church, Durness [other]; Wikipedia, Balnakeil [other]
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