Kilfinan

Kilfinan is a hamlet on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. Located on the eastern side of Loch Fyne, the hamlet is 4 mi northwest of the village of Tighnabruaich. Kilfinan is the burial place of the clan chiefs of the Lamonts, in the 13th-century Kilfinan Parish Church.

The hamlet is also home to the Kilfinan Hotel for over 300 years which started off as a coaching inn.

Church of Saint Finan
The parish church of Saint Finan dates from the 13th century. The earliest mentions are in the forms of grants made between 1231 and 1241 to the Cluniac Monks of Paisley Abbey, Paisley.

Interior
In 1633 the Lamont North Aisle was added by Sir Coll Lamont, whose initials "S/CL" are carved into the crowstepped north gable, and on the lintel of the west doorway, along with those of his wife, "D/BS", Dame Barbara Semple.

In 2015 and 2016, during restoration, stones were removed from the Lamont Vault and the floor lowered. Two 17th-century lead coffins were discovered, which may hold the remains of Sir Coll and Dame Barbara. The Upper Lamont Aisle is now a gallery. The vault has among the best collections of ancient burial stones in the West of Scotland, including the Inveryne Stone.

Exterior
In 1759 the bird-cage belfry was added at the west end of the church. The bell is dated 1832.

Swallows
Swallows nest at the church. For many years the rose window was broken and the swallows flew in to build their nests. Now the window is repaired visitors are reminded to leave the door open to give the swallows access.

Churchyard
The monument inscriptions of the graveyard have been fully catalogued. Most of the monuments in the churchyard are from the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 20th century burials in the parish took place at the (now disused) Kilbride church, on the west side of the Ardlamont peninsula, and more recently at the cemetery in Millhouse. The graveyard also includes the McFarlane Vault, to the west of the church, and the Rankin Vault, on the south side of the burn.