St Clement's Kirk

A cloudy day, but dry.  Showers started just before tea, and have continued. 

Up early, but a quiet morning around the caravan.  We finally headed out, and headed south for the day, to Harris.  Plenty of beaches to visit, and lunch at Rodel.  Various stops, where we say various birds of prey, and plenty of midgies.  A quiet night in the caravan. 

Just before lunch, we visited an old church.  There seems to be a lot of kirks all over the island, but most just over 100 years old, or newer.  It was great to discover this medieval gem, dedicated to pope Clement I.  Built around 1520, for the MacLeod's of Dunvegan and Harris.  It was a Catholic Church, then fell into disuse after the 1560 reformation.  New roof in 1784, then again in 1787, after a fire.  It was used as a cow byre in the 19th century, before getting restored in 1873, and again in 1913, after a lightning strike.  A few burials tombs inside the kirk, but no pews or altar, and sadly the tower was closed due to Covid-19.  A stunning building, in a stunning setting.  St Clement's Kirk, Rodel, Isle of Harris.