Dervaig

Dervaig (Scottish Gaelic: Dearbhaig) is a small village on the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland.^[1] The village is within the parish of Kilninian and Kilmore,^[1] and is situated on the B8073^[2] roughly midway between Tobermory and Calgary. In 1961 it had a population of 82.^[1]

Dervaig Scottish Gaelic: Dearbhaig
The unusual round tower of the church
Dervaig Location within Argyll and Bute
OS grid reference	NM432518
Community council	Mull
Council area	Argyll and Bute
Lieutenancy area	Argyll and Bute
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ISLE OF MULL
Postcode district	PA75 6
Dialling code	01688
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Scottish Parliament	Argyll and Bute
List of places UK Scotland 56.588°N 6.183°W / 56.588; -6.183

Etymology

Both the English name Dervaig and the Gaelic name Dearbhaig are derived from the Old Norse Dervig, meaning "Good inlet",^[3] referring to Loch a' Chumhainn, which the town sits on.

Church

The town is known for its unusual round church Kilmore Church. The original church was built in 1755, however, there is not a complete description of it in the records, so it is unknown what it looked liked.^[4] It was built to replace the nearby Church of Kilcolmkil and is thought to be very similar to the church of Kilninian which was built at a similar time but still stands.^[4]

Interior of Kilmore Parish Church in 2024

The existing church was built in 1905, being designed by Glasgow architect Peter MacGregor Chalmers with stained glass by Stephen Adam.^[5] The "pencil" shape design of the tower is an uncommon sight nowadays in Scotland, however many similar churches still survive in Ireland.^[4] The church was renovated in 2004.^[4]

Other sites

The Bellachroy Hotel is the Isle of Mull's oldest inn, dating back to 1608. ^[6] The main street of the town was planned and established by Alexander Mclean of Coll in 1799.^[3]