Daisy Cheape Memorial

The Daisy Cheape Memorial is a deeply moving historical marker located within the ancient stone walls of Dun Bhuirg, an Iron Age fort on the Ardmeanach Peninsula of the Isle of Mull. This modest monument was erected by John Hamilton Turner, a former proprietor of the Burg estate, to honour the memory of Daisy Cheape, a young girl who tragically drowned in the cold waters of Loch Scridain in 1896. Set against the rugged, wild backdrop of the “Wilderness” area, the memorial serves as a somber reminder of the personal histories that intersect with the island’s ancient archaeological sites.

Visitors typically encounter the memorial while embarking on the challenging trek toward MacCulloch’s Fossil Tree. The walk takes you through some of Mull’s most dramatic and isolated landscapes, where the memorial sits as a quiet point of reflection amidst the grass covered ruins of the dun. Its placement inside a prehistoric structure creates a unique juxtaposition of eras, linking the deep time of the Iron Age with a Victorian family tragedy that still resonates with those who pass by today.

Reaching the memorial requires a journey through the National Trust for Scotland’s Burg estate, a place known for its steep cliffs, wild goats, and soaring eagles. Because the site is remote and the terrain can be demanding, it remains a hidden gem known primarily to dedicated hikers and those interested in the intimate local legends of the Inner Hebrides. The simple inscription on the stone remains a touching tribute to a life lost too soon, preserved in one of the most beautiful and atmospheric corners of the Scottish coastline.