Excavation at Barhobble by the late Bill Cormack (W.F. Cormack, M.B.E. F.S.A.Scot), from 1984-94 revealed the ruins of one of the chapels that studded the landscape of Galloway. Eighth century origins are suggested by an oval enclosure and evidence indicates that an early timber chapel was built in about AD1050.
A lost chapel, with both Dark Age and mediaeval remains has been found at Barhobble in Mochrum parish. The remains, which have been left open for visitors to see, date from the 12th century and comprise a church used prior to the construction of a church building at Mochrum. The Dark Age cemetery, which surrounded the earlier church here, included evidence of pagan symbols and practices, which may have continued alongside Christian practices.
According to an unbroken tradition dating from the earliest times and confirmed in the writings of the Venerable Bede in the 8th century, a holy man named Nynia, born among the British people, introduced the Christian faith into a significant part of the land now known as Scotland long before the coming of Saint Columba.
