大象传媒 Scotland - 大象传媒 Scotland - Who would steal a 1,000-year-old bell? (And why they might live to regret it)

Who would steal a 1,000-year-old bell? (And why they might live to regret it)

In a quiet spot in the west of Scotland, a physical link with our ancient past has lain in the open air for years. But now it has mysteriously disappeared.

The hand bell, which is thought to be 1100-years-old, sat on the altar of a ruined chapel on St Finan’s Isle in Loch Shiel.

It is an extraordinary item, and displays similarities in size, shape and carving to other bells found in Scotland and Ireland which have been dated to around 900 AD. As presenter Paul Murton discovered on Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs, ringing the bell provides “direct contact with the past”.

Paul discovers an 1100-year-old bell

Paul visits a sacred island where he rings an 1100-year-old bell.

Summer theft

However, at some point in July the bell disappeared from its place on the uninhabited island – and it has not been seen since.

But this may not the end of the tale because, according to local folklore, the bell is cursed. The last person to steal it, an 18th Century soldier, was caught and flogged for his crime. Perhaps whoever took the trouble to rip the ancient artifact from its heavy bronze chain this time should think again...