Pennant states that the church "contains the tombs of numbers of the ancient islanders, two of warriors recumbent (7 feet long), a flattery perhaps of the sculptor to give to future ages exalted notions of their prowess. Besides, there are scattered over the floor lesser figures of heroes, priests, and females, the last seemingly of some order, and near them is a figure cut in stone of full size, apparently an abbess."[1]
These figures, as illustrated by Pennant, strongly recall the corresponding monuments at Iona and elsewhere throughout the West Highlands and Islands.
The slabs have now been set up against the walls of the church (see Fig. 1311), while others still exist in the burying-ground outside.
Close to the south-west angle of the narthex stands the celebrated Oronsay cross[2] (see Fig. 1310). It stands on mason work covered by a slab 3 feet by 3 feet 3 inches, perforated with a hole in which the cross is fixed. The shaft is 12 feet in height. On the west face there is a Crucifixion on the disc, and the shaft is carved on both sides with the usual Celtic ornament in round panels. The inscription near the base is now illegible.
ST. MAELRUBBA, LOCH EYNORT, Skye.
The site of the ancient Church of St. Maelrubba, at the head of Loch
Eynort in the south of Skye, is now occupied by a more recent ruin.[3] A
very interesting relic of the ancient church is, however, preserved in the
remarkable font (Figs. 1314 and 1315), which, after some wandering and
neglect, has at last found a suitable resting-place in the Museum of the
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in Edinburgh. An account of its transference
from the shore of Loch Eynort to the Museum is given by Mr. J.
Russell Walker, in a paper on "Scottish Baptismal Fonts" in the Proceedings
of that Society, 1886-7, p. 412. The bowl is circular, both externally
and internally, and the basin is 1 foot 6-1/2 inches in diameter and 13 inches
deep. The circumference is divided into four equal parts by four figures
representing—(1) The Crucifixion, (2) The Blessed Virgin with the Child,
(3) a mitred bishop in full canonicals with a crosier in his left hand, and
(4) St. Michael slaying the dragon. The panels to the right and left of
the Crucifixion are filled with interlaced work, and those to the right and
left of the bishop with inscriptions not now legible. On the lower sloping
parts between the figures are floral designs. The font is of hornblende
gneiss, and the carving is remarkable in that hard material. There seem
