 St, Magnus Church on Egilsay is unique in Orkney and in Scotland as a whole in that it has a highly unusual Irish style round tower. Aside from the round tower, the church has a rectangular nave and a square chancel. Today, the building is roofless and the tower has been slightly truncated, but it is otherwise complete.
Egilsay was the place where Earl Magnus Erlendsson (later St. Magnus) was killed in 1117 by an axe blow to the head from his cousin and rival. For hundreds of years the story of St. Magnus, part of the Orkneyinga saga, was considered just a legend until a skull with a large crack in it, such as it had been stricken by an axe, was found in the walls of St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.
While the 12th Century church on Egilsay is dedicated to St, Magnus, the foundation may be far older
About St. Magnus Church
Orkneyjar: St. Magnus Kirk, Egilsay
RCAHMS: St. Magnus's Church
Wikipedia: St. Magnus Church
Journey to St. Magnus Church
St. Magnus Church is located on the Orkney isle of Egilsay and may be visited by ferry from Tingwall on the Orkney Mainland.
Ordnance Survey Map (HY4660930393)
Visitors Information
Visitors information may be found on the Historic Scotland website. General tourism information for Egilsay may be found at the Egilsay Community Association website, while general information for Orkney may be found on the Visit Orkney website.
Additional Photos of St. Magnus Church
St. Magnus Church (Egilsay) Viewed from the Air
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