Following on from the post “Slipway”, we continued the Golden Roadway down the impoverished east coast of South Harris. The rocky shoreline quickly paved the way to a huge area of peat moorland cluttered with lochs and lochans. The land was lacking trees, conserve for those looking for shelter in a couple of gullies or nestled next to structures. Those that existed were bent by the wind and seemed asking for grace.

It is not surprising that that those kicked out to the East coast throughout the clearances wanted to the sea to make their living. What else existed?

The sea continues to offer bounty, however the days are not as rewarding as they when were. The empty and messed up homes bear testament to those that sought their fortune in other places.

In the South Eastern corner of Harris lies the 16th-century church of Roghadal, committed to St. Clements. It is believed that Alasdair Crotach MacLeod, the 8th clan chief of the MacLeods, was accountable for the building of the present structure. Inside the church lie a variety of great middle ages burial places, the grandest one being reserved for Alasdair himself.

When we went to Roghadal Church, we discovered it to be secured by the most belligerent of sheep. To prevent the conflict intensifying any even more, we needed to hand down the opposite of the roadway. What a stand-off.

I didn’t take any photos inside the church, feeling that any taken in the dim light would stop working to do it any justice.

Credit: the source of info utilized for Roghadal Church is ‘Strolling on Harris and Lewis’ by Richard Barrett (Cicerone Publishing)