Oronsay Priory

Founded in the mid-14th century, the priory – a small monastery - is remarkably complete with church, cloisters, chapter house and refectory. There are two crosses. The magnificent tall Oronsay Cross, carved on the Isle of Iona, stands on its original pedestal just to the west of the church and was probably erected just before 1500. A smaller, more humble, and possibly older cross stands on the mound to the east of the priory. Its head and shaft are clamped together, and it may have been moved to this site in modern times. In one of the buildings there is a good collection of medieval graveslabs. Some of these will have been carved on Oronsay where for many years there was a flourishing carving school.Oronsay can only be reached at low tide. The priory is a walk of about 2 miles from the car park on the north side of the Strand. Before you start make sure you check the time of the tides.