Applecross Placenames Project

Placename

Gaelic name: Clachan

Name in Original Source: Clachan

English meaning: Churchyard

Placename feature: Church settlement

Notes: Also known by an Anglicised form, Kirktoun or Kirktoun; and as An t-Sean Bhaile. Kenneth Macrae, F.S.A.S.: 'It lies on the north side of the river and was the site of the ancient monastery founded by Maelrubha in 563. Two hundred years ago it was called by the people An t-Seannabhaile, denoting that it was the original Gaelic-speaking settlement in the district. When the tenantry was evicted part of it was made a glebe and part added to the Home Farm.'<br /><br /><br /><br />It should be noted that MacRae was blind when he typed the manuscript and has typed '563' by mistake rather than '673' which is when Maelrubha is recorded as having founded his monastic settlement.

W. J. Watson's notes:

Map name appears in: Miscellaneous

Feature Co-ordinates: 57.445087,-5.812118

Show on map: Click to view on google map

Audio: Click to hear placename audio

Image: