Loch Cill Chriosd

Loch Cill Chriosd is a small loch in Strath Suardal on the Isle of Skye, in the Highland council area of Scotland. It lies a few kilometres south-west of Broadford, right beside the ruined parish church of Cill Chriosd (spelled Kilchrist in English). The loch drains east into the Broadford River. It makes an easy, quick stop for anyone driving towards Elgol, Torrin or further into the Strath peninsula.

Where is Loch Cill Chriosd?

The loch sits in the Strath Suardal valley at roughly 57.21 N, 5.96 W. The B8083 from Broadford towards Torrin and Elgol runs right past it. Leave the A87 at Broadford and you are there within minutes; depending on the source, the distance is about 4 to 5 km. The church ruin stands on the west side of the road, with the loch a short distance to the south-west.

What can you see?

The main draw is the setting: still water, an open valley and pale limestone slopes, with the outline of nearby hills clear on a good day. Next to the loch are the remains of Cill Chriosd church. Canmore records a low rubble ruin of a post-Reformation parish church dating from the late 16th or early 17th century, built to replace a medieval one. In the graveyard you will find a weathered medieval slab carved with a cross, plus graves mostly tied to Clan MacKinnon. The church and burial ground have been scheduled as a protected monument since 1995.

What is the history?

Tradition links the site with St Maelrubha, said to have preached in the area in the 7th century. Parish records reach back to 1505. Around 1840 a new church was built in Broadford and the old one was abandoned. The valley also had an industrial past: marble was quarried here from the 18th century, and a narrow-gauge railway to a pier at Broadford was laid in the early 1900s. Sources disagree on the exact dates of the line, so treat them as approximate.

How to plan your visit

Allow 20 to 40 minutes. Entry is free and the site is open all year. Be respectful in the graveyard and stay off the ruined walls. If you want to walk further, near-flat loops of about 9 km are described locally, as is a longer route towards Boreraig. These figures come from user-contributed hiking sites, so check them before setting out. Skye weather turns quickly, so bring a waterproof jacket and footwear for wet ground.

Frequently asked questions

Is there anything historic beside Loch Cill Chriosd? Yes. The ruined church of Cill Chriosd stands next to it, with a graveyard and a medieval cross slab.

How far is it from Broadford? About 4 to 5 km along the B8083 towards Elgol and Torrin.

Is there an entry fee? No. The ruin and graveyard are open to everyone without a ticket.

When is the best time to visit? Early morning or evening, when the water is calm and the light picks out the hills. In summer midges can be a nuisance, so pack repellent.