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VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS
IK TIIK
NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS
OF SCOTLAND,
ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO LUNACY.
BY
ARTHUR MITCHELL, A.M., M.D.,
likl'UTT CUUMISiilOXI!!! VOK LONArr tX IICOTLAiCD, roUIlKllPO!fl>IXO MEUfil*
w Tnn wx'iftTY iir axtiuoauen ur acvTLAXu, nv.
iFrom thf Froctfdiugx of thr Aiitiqvarian t<ocidy of ikotland, Vol. IJ'.)
PRINTED
EDINBURGH:
BY NEILL AND COMPANY.
MDCCOLXII.
.VI
ox
VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS
ik the
NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
JnnU Mdrce.
Id the antuDin of last year, while Id the neighbourhood of Loch
Maree, which has beeD truly described, " in its barrenness and loneli-
ness, as the most utterly savage and terrific of any part of this land
of mountain and flood,"' I heard much of the marvellous virtues of a
well on one of the smallest of the many richly-wooded islands which
rise in clusters out of its waters, and which so soften the grandeur and
wildness of the scene, as to make the eye, resting on that part of the
Loch, see nothing in it but an exquisite picture of calm beauty. So
much was told to me of the power " unspeakable in cases of lunacy"^
possessed by these waters, that I resolved to satisfy curiosity by a
visit. This was accomplished on the 14th of August," when I had the
advantage of being accompanied by Professor Brown of St Andrews,
the Minister of the parish, and a boat's crew of old residenters. I shall
briefly narrate what I saw and heard.
Eilean Maree or Innis Maree,* is a small low island, with clean, gravelly
shores, half way down the Loch, not more than a quarter of a mile in its
greatest diameter.
On its highest part there is an enclosure, whose outline is an irregular
oval (90 X 120 feet). The wall, which is not more than 2 feet high, is
dow covered with earth and moss. Pennant, however, describes it as
a " stone dyke, with a regular narrow entrance."" In the centre of this
enclosure there are the remains of a small chapel; but so complete is the
ruin that it is not possible to determine the style of architecture.
* Anderson's Highlands, 1834, p. 607.
2 Pennant's Tour in Scotland, 1774, p. 880. 1860.
♦ Properly Innis or Eiloan Whaolnlibh. " Pennant, op. etl., 803.
4
ON VAllIOUS SUPERRTITIONS IN THE
Round about the chapel are fifty or sixty graves, generally covered by a
fiat undressed stooe, with rude blocks at the bead and feet. Many of
these graves are recent. One, indeed, is quite fresh—the burial having
taken place but a week before my visit. Several of the older ones are
teenth century, worked at the iron furnaces of Poolewe.' With two
exceptions, there are no cuttings, carvings, or inscriptions on any of the
tombstones. These two have distinct end well-formed incised crosses on
> A bar of pig-iron, found during somo diggings on tho site of these fnmacps
liue been placed in tho Museum of Scottish Antiquities by the author.
NORTH-WEST niGHI.ANOS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND. 5
tbem, drawings of whicb ore here given. The stones on whicii these
occur have never been dressed or even squared. Tliey are flat, and lie
beside each other, nearly end to end, and about east and west.
The celebrated well, whose waters ai;e of such magic power, is near the
shore. We found it dry, and full of last year's leaves. It is a built well,
and the flat stone whicb serves for a cover we found lying on the bank.
Near it stands an oak tree, which is studded with nails. To each of
these was originally attached a piece of the clotliing of some patient
who bad visited the spot. There are hundreds of nails, and one has
still fastened to it a faded ribbon. Two bone buttons and two buckles
we also found nailed to the tree. Countless pennies and halfpennies
are driven edge-ways into the wood,—-over many the bark is closing,
over many it has already closed. All the trees about the well are
covered with initials. A rude M, with an anchor below it, tells of the
seaman's noted credulity and superstitious character. Two sets of ini-
tials, with a date between, and below a heart pierced by an arrow, pro-
bably record the visit of a love-sick couple, seeking bere a cure of their
folly. The solitary interview would probably counteract the working of
the waters.
The sacred holly grows everywhere on tho island. We found it
loaded with fruit. The oak, the larch, the alder, the beech, the moun-
tain-ash, the sycamore, the willow, the prickly holly, the dog-rose, the
juniper, tho honeysuckle, and the heather all abound, and form a
most charmiog grove.
Various traditions exist regarding this little island. Several were told
to me. A love story is the foundation of all. I shall narrate the one
which connects the spot directly with lunacy.
A Norwegian princess awaited the arrival of her lover on Inch Maree,
where they were to be married by the hermit. The bridegroom was to
land at Poolewe, and on bis safe arrival It was agreed that a white flag
should be shown. Ho came, sound in heart and limb, but, out of frolic,
or to test his sweetheart's love, he caused a black flag to be hoisted.
She saw it, went mad, and after a few years died, and was buried on the
island. He outlived her but a short time, and found his grave by her
side. The two stones, of which I have spoken, are said to mark their
resting place. Since the same tale is told with many variations, it is
probable that something of this kind did really happen; but that the
6
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
virtues of the veil have any coDnectiou with the story is improbable,
as 1 shall shortly show.
AndersoD, Fullarton, the New and Old Statistical Accouuts, as well as
the people of the placo, derive the name from a dedication to St Mary.
This remarkable error is first clearly pointed oat in the "Origines Paro-
chiales," though Pennant evidently bad the right view when he speaks
of it as the favoured isle of the saint (St Maree), the patron of all the
coast from Applecross to Locbbroom, and tells us that he, the saint, is
held in high esteem, and that the oath of the country is by his name.'
It appears that Maelnibha came from Ireland to Scotland, and founded
the Church of Apoicrossan in 673.* After hie death he became the
patron saint of the district. His name is variously known as Malrubius,
Malrube, Mulray, Murie, Mourie, and as the last corruption, Maree."
That the island and loch bear the name of this saint there can be no
doubt. Even the mode of pronouncing the word by the Gaelic-speaking
population shows that it is not derivedfromAfary;* while Pennant's remark
proves that the mistake is not yet a century old. Names are monu-
* Pennaut, op. eil., S80.
' OrigiDcs Parocb., ii. 402; and Irish Kccles. Jonnia), 1849—Rot. Dr BoeTes.
^ When writing this papor in December 1860 my information regarding Maol-
rubha was derived from the " Origincs Parochiales," and from a communication to
the " Irish Ecclesiastical Journal," by Dr Reeves in 1849. Since that time I have
had tho advantage of seeing a vory elaborate and learned paper on the History
and Churches of St Maelrubha by Dr Reeves, which appears in a recent volume
of these Proceedings, and which removes all possible doubt as to the origin of Inis
MareS. As I do not go minutely into this subject, I have scarcely altered what 1
read to the Society.
Tho extracts from tho Presbytery Records, which aro afterwards given, are of
interest, as showing that about the middle of the sevcntoentb ceutury the Saint's
day was, in the district where his Sointship was earned, popularly fixed as the 2fith
of August, and not the 2l8t of April or 27 th of August. They are further of
interest as showing that about the samo period St RufTus aud St Maelrubha appear
to have been regarded as identical, and that not only was Cronlinbeg formerly
called " St Buphus's Island," but Inis Maree itself is, in 1678, spoken of as the
" Island of St RufTus."
Ad old man in the district told me that the name was originally Eilean-Mo-
Righ (the Island of my King), or Eilean-a-Mbor-Rigb (tho Island of the Great
King), and that this king was long ago worshipped as a god in the district.
' This struck mo forcibly. Dr Reeves attaches considerable importanco to it.
NOBTH-WBST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND. 7
meuts—pages of history—inscribed stones—yet thus do we 6nd them
broken, blotted, and defaced. Mourie died at Applecross on the 21st
April 722.' There is some doubt as to where he was buried, and 1
have nothing to make it probable that it was in Inch Marce. It is cer-
tain, or all but certain, however, that this Fir Dei led a hermit's life,
and wrouglit miracles there; and that, like St Godericb, St Fillan, and
a host of others, he continued to do so after his death.
Whether the Saint, on his arrival in Scotland, found a pagan temple
on this little island, or whether be himself first consecrated the spot, is
a question of interest. Pennant says, " I suspect the Dike to have been
originally Druidical, and that the ancient superstition of paganism was
taken up by the Saint as the readiest method of making a conquest over
the minds of the inhabitants." This opinion I am inclined to adopt.
The people of the place speak often of the God Mourk, instead of St
Mouric, which may have resulted from his having supplanted the old
god. Tradition also points to it as a place of worship before the Christian
epoch, and the curious record I have obtained of the sacrifice of bulls there,
strongly confirms this belief, and furnishes fresh proof of the liberal
engrafting upon Christianity of all forms of paganism in the early
history of the Church. The man, who accompanied me as driver in the
district, happened to be a person of intelligence, and it was he who first
informed me, that in the Presbytery Becords some allusion was made to the
superstitions of Loch Maree. On reaching Dingwall, I applied to the
Bev. Mr Kennedy, who most kindly gave me further information and
copies of some quotations which ho had himself made. I am indebted,
however, to the Bev. Dr Maclean, of Kiltearn, for full extracts, which by a
curious accident he made on the Saint's day. As these have never yet
been laid before the public I shall give them in full>
" At Appilcross 5 Stptcvih: 1656.
" Convened M' Jo" M'cra, Moderator, M' Jo" Monro, M' Thomas Hogg,
M' Jo" M'Killican, M' Donald Fru.><er, M' Donald M'cra, M' Rorie
M'Eenzie, M' Alex^ M'Eenzie, and M' Donald Boss,
" The name of God Incalled. Inter alia, The Minisler being in-
• Orig. Parocli., ii. 402.
8
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
i|uired be hie brethren of the maine enormities of the |>arochin of
LocbcsrroDe and Appilcross, declaires some of bis parocbiners to be
superstitious, especiallie in sacrificeiDg at certaine tyroee at the Loch
of Mourie, especiallie the men of Auchnaseallacb ; qubo bes beine sum-
moned, cited, bot not compeiring, execution is lawfulHe given be the
. . . . ' kirk officer of Lochcvron, quhose names ar as followes:
Donald M'conill chile—Murdo M^Ferq" vie conill eire—W" M'conil
eire, Gillipadrick M'rorie—Duncan M'conill uayno vie conill biy—Alex'
M'finlay v* conill diy—Donald M'eaine roy vie choionicb—Johne
U'coiiill reach—Murdo M^eaine roy—Murdo M'eaine voire v® eaine
gblaiss—Finlay M'Gillipbadricke.—-Ordaines the kirk officer to cbairge
these againe to compeire at Dingwall the third Wednesday of October
nixt—recommend that thaire Minister compeire the said day at Dingwall,
and that he preach at the vacand kirk of Urquhart, the ensuing Lord's
day he is in the country.
" The said day the presbytrie of Dingwall, according to the appoyntment
of Synode for searcheing and censureing such principalis, and superstitious
practices as sould be discovered thaire—baveing mett at Appilcross, and
findeiog amongst uther abhominable and heathenishe practices that the
people VI that place were acctutomed to sacrifice bulls at a certaine tyme
uppon the 25 of Auyust, which day is dedicate, as they conceive, to &
Mourie as they call him ; and that there were frequent approaches to some
ruinous chappeh and circulafeing of them; and that future events in refer-
ence especiallie to lyfe and death, in tdkeing of Joumeyis was exspect to be
manifested by a holl of a round stone quhcrein they tryed the entering of their
heade, which (if they) could doe, to witt he able to put in thair heade, they
exspect thair returning to that place, and failing the considered it ominous ;
and withall their adoring of wells, and uther superstitious monuments and
stones, tedious to rehearse, Have appoynted as followes—That quho-
soever sail be found to commit such abhominationes, especiallie
Sacrifices of any kynd, or at any tyme, sail publickly ap}>ear and be
rebuked . . . .' six several Lord's dayis in six several churches,
viz.; Lochcarron, Appilcross, Contane, Fottertie, Dingwall, and last
in Garlocb paroch church : and that they may, uppon the delatatiune
* Word not IcjjiWo.
KORTH-WEST HIOHLAKDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
9
of the Sessione aod mioister of the paroche, he sail cause summoDed the
guiltie persoae to compeire before the pbrie, to be coDTioced, rebuked,
and there to be iojoyned his censure, And withall that the session sould
be charged to doe tbair dewties in suppressing of the foresaid wickedness,
and the foresaid censure in reference to tbair sacrificing to be made use
of in case of convict, and appeiring, and evidences of remorse be found,
and failing, that they be censured with excommunicatione. Ordaines
the minister to exercise himself with his people in such manner as at his
coming to Appilcross, once in the five or sax weekes at each Lord's day
of his coming, he stay thrie dayes amongst his people in catechising a
pairt of them each day, and that he labour to convince the people of
their former error, by evidenceing the hand of God against such abho-
minationes as hes beene practised formerlie."«*Appo]mt8 M' Allex'
M'Kenzie to informe the presbiterie of any strangers that resorts to thease
feilds as formerlie they have to tbair former heatbenishe practices, that
a course may be taken for their restraint.
" Kbnlocoewe, 9 SepV 1656. Inter alia., Ordaines M'' Ailex' M'Kenzie,
minister at Lochcarron, to cause summond Murdo M'conill varchue vie
conill vie Allister in Torriton, and Donald Smyth in Appilcross, for
sacrificing at Appilcross—>to compeire at Dingwall the third Wednesday
of October, with the men of Aucbnasealtach.
" The brethren taking to their consideratione the abhominationes
within the parochin of Garloch in sacrificing of Veasts vpon the 25
August, as also in pouring of milk upon kills as oblationes ({uhose names
ar not particularly signified as yit—referres to the diligence of the
minister to mak search of thease persones and summond them as said is
in the former ordinance and act at Appilcross 5 Sept: 1656, and withall
that by his private diligence he have searchers and tryers in everie comer
of the countrey, especiallie about the Lochmourie, of the most faithful
honest men he can find; and that such as ar his elders be particularly
poseit, concerning former practices in qubat they knowe of these poore
ones quko ar called Mourie his devUans and ovmes thease titles, quho
receaves the sacrifices and offerings upon the accompt of Mourie his
poore ones ; aod that at laist some of thease be summoned to compeire
before the pbrie the forsaid day, until the rest be discovered; and such as
heve boats about the loch to transport themselves or utbers to the lie of
B
10
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
Mourie, quhereio ar monumento of Idolatrie-, without warraud from the
Buperiour aod miDister towards lawful ends; and if the minister knowes
alreaddie any guiltie, that they be cited to the nixt pbrie day, and all
contraveners thereafter, ae occasione offers in all tyme comeing.
The Brethren heiring be report that 3fiurie hes his monuments and re-
memhrances in Beverall paroches within the province, hot more particu-
larly in the paroches of Lochcarron, Lochalse, Eintaile, Contan, and
Fottertie, and Locbbroome, It is appoynted that the brethren of the con-
gregationes heve a Correspondence, in trying and curbing all such, within
their severall congregationes. And for thease that comes from forren
countreyis, that the ministers of Garloch and Lochcarron informe them-
selves of the names of thease, and the places of their residence, and in-
forme the pbrie thereof, that notice may be given to those concerned.
" Dingwall, 6 August 1678. Inter alia, That day Mr Boderick Mac-
kenzie minister at Gerloch, by his letter to the prebrie, declared that he
bad summoned by bis officer to this prebrie day Hector Mackenzie in
Mellan in the parish of Gerloch, as also Johne Murdoch, and Duncan
Mackenzies, sons to the said Hector—as also Kenneth M'Kenzie his
grandson, for sacrificing a bull in ane heathenish manner, in the Hand
of S' Ruffus, commonly called Elian Moury in Lochew, for the recover-
ing of the health of Cirstane Mackenzie, spouse to the said Hector Mac-
kenzie, who was formerlie sicke and valetudinarie:—Who being all cited,
and not compearing, are to be all summoned againe'pro 2^"
KiLTEAnw, 27<A August I860,—Extracted from the Old Records of
the Presbytery of Dingwall by
Alex*. Maolban, D.D., Pby-GOe.
Fuller wittily observes, that as careful mothers and nurses, on con-
dition they can get their children to part with knives, are contented
to let them play with rattles, so the early Christian teachers per-
mitted ignorant people to retain some of their former foolish customs,
that they might remove from them the most dangerous.' Fuller is here
writing of protesting times; but if we go back to the first introduction
of Christianity into our country, we shall find that many pagan cere-
^ Fuller's Cb. Hist. p. 376 ; aud Brand, " Pop. Antiq." Ixi.
NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
11
moDies were coDiiived at, aod engrafted on the new religion, which we,
now-a-days, should feel incHned rather to class with edged tools than
rattles. Instead of breaking the monuments of idolatry, our early teachers
gave them a Christian baptism, by cutting on them the symbols of their
own religion, and with the rites and ceremonies of paganism they dealt
in like manner.
The places of Druidical worship, which Haelrubha found on his arrival
in Applecross, in all probability became afterwards places of Christian
worship;' and such of them as were believed to possess special virtues,
continued to enjoy their special reputation, with this difference, how-
ever, that what the God, or Demon, or Oeniua loci did before, the Saint
took upon himself, tolerating as much of the old ceremony as the elastic
conscience of the age permitted. " Une religion chargee de beaucoup
de pratiques," says Montesquieu, " attache plus & elle qu'une autre,
qui Test moins,"' and this principle was freely acted on—the more freely,
perhaps, that the early Christian teachers came among a people peculiarly
given to ceremony, if we may trust the remark of Pliny, " The Britons
are so stupendly superstitious in their ceremonies that they go even
beyond the Persians."* I am inclined to think, with Pennant and the
writer in the Old Statistical Account, that Inch Maree was such a locality.
The sacrifice of the Bull, and the speaking of the Saint as "the God,"
make this probable, while the belief expressed by some old writers that
such was the fact, and existing oral traditions, render it still more so.
I have no earlier allusion to the well on this island than 1656. It
was then the resort of the lunatic, and, as I have said, it may possibly
have been so from the date of Mourie's arrival, or even before that time.
One shrine in Belgium is known to have had a special reputation of this
kind for more than 1200 years. I refer to that of St Dympna in Gheel.
Our own St Fillans, too, has been resorted to for the " blessed purpose
of conferring health on the distressed" since the year 700.* Further
back still, Orpheus, who is said to have written the hymn to Mercury,
' Many of the mosques of AJgoria aio now the Christian churches of tho French
occupants of tho country.
* " De I'Eaprit des Lois," I. xxv. eh. ii.
' Burton's Anat. of Melancholy, cd. 1859, p. 667, quoted from Flinyl lih. iii.
* John Laurio Buchanan's " Def. of Highlanders," pp. 1C8-224.
n 2
12
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
speaks of Mercury's Orot, where remedy was to be bad for lunatics and
lepers.'
The most interesting feature of these extracts, however, is the finding
so complete and formal a sacrificial ceremony commcnly practised in our
country at so late a period as within 200 years of our own day. The
people point to Inverasdale as the last place where the sacrifice was
offered. For the cure of the murrain in cattle, one of the herd is stUl
sacrificed for the good of the whole. This is done by burying it alive.
I am assured, that within the last ten years such a barbarism occurred
iu the county of Moray.^ It is, however, happily, and beyond all doubt,
very rare. The sacrifice of a cock, however, in the same fashion, for the
cure of epilepsy, as I shall presently show, is still not unfrequently prac-
tised; but in neither of these cases is the sacrifice offered on the shrine
of a saint, or to a named god, though, of course, in both there is the
silent acknowledgment of some power thus to be propitiated.
I only know one other recorded instance of the formal sacrifice of a
bull in Scotland to a saint on his feast-day.
" A writer of the twelfth century, fieginald of Durham, sometimes also
called Beginald of Coldingham, takes occasion, in his lively ' Book of
the Miracles of St Cuthbert,' to relate certain incidents which befel the
famous St Aelred of Bievaux in the year 1164, during a journey into
Pictland,—that is Galloway it would seem, or perhaps, more generally,
the provinces of Scotland, lying to the south of the Forth and Clyde.
The Saintlie Abbot happened to be at' Cuthbrichtis Kirche,' or Kircud-
bright, as it is now called, on the feast-day of its great patron. A bull
the marvel of the parish for its strength and ferocity, was dragged to the
church, bound with cords, to be offered as an alms and oblation to St
Cuthbert,"^
It is curious to find, in the inaccessible districts both of the north and
^ Le Clerc, "Hist, of Med." 19.
' The " Elgin and Morayshire Courier" of 24th May 1861, in noticing the reading
of this paper, has tho following editorial remark—"The case referred to by Dr
Mitchpll took place not twenty miles from Elgin."
^ Joseph Boberleon, Esq., on " Scltolastic Offices in the Scottish Church in the
Twelfth and Thirteenth Ccntnries."—Jfwa/iany of the Spalding Club, v. 66, 67. It
is interesting to find that tlie clerks of the Chnrch—the Scolofthes—who must have
SOUTH-WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
13
south of Scotland, traces of a similar Christianised paganism.' 'Whether
these ceremonies are remains of the vague Druidical, or of the Helio-
arkite, or of the Mithraic worship, I am not able to say. As regards the
last, which was set up in opposition to Christianity, and which used many
of its ceremonies, it is known that the sacrifice of a bull was one of its
rites.* The study of this form of worship has not yet received from
Scottish antiquaries the attention which it probably deserves.
It would seem that to some saints the sacrifice of a bull was not con-
fined to the day of honour, but was a thing of frequent occurrence. This
appears from a letter* on the superstitions of Caernarvonshire of the six-
bt^eo the best informed and most learned, opposed the ccromony, and attempted to
throw it into ridicule, by proposing to bait the bull, probably on indication that
opinion was then beginning to change.
' Daring the course of the paper allusion will be made to some Welsh supersli-
tions of the same character.
* Vide paper by Mcyrick, in the " Aich^logia Cambrensis," vol. iii., and Well-
beloved's " York."
In order to destroy the influence of the priests, the Romans at first ondoavoartd
to suppress Dmidism, and as they could not leavo tho people without a religion,
they probably compelled them to adopt thorites and ceremonies of Romish paganism.
When the power of the priests was effectually crippled, and no longer dreaded, tho
worship of the native divinities was tolerated, but not resumed in its purity. The
altars of the second and third centuries prove a mixing of the two paganisms ; and
there is reason to believe that this modified worship was adopted both by the natives
and their invaders.
After tho battle of Anglesey, many of the Dmids fled to Scotland, and Lad semi-
naries somewhere to the north of the Strath Clwyd Britons, which were finally
suppressed at the close of the sixth century by Rhyddercb, "the imbiber of learning,"
that is, of Christianity. This may bo re. -.ardcd as the final extinction of Dmidism,
Bnt it would appear probable that, as Romish paganism, after a time, began to
acknowledge and worship, covertly and openly, the divinities of the Druids, so
Christianity did not escape a similar poUution, but after a time tolerated and even
adopted not a few of the ceremonies and sacrifices of that modified Dmidism with
which it had to deal. And since Dmidism existed in force to a later period in tho
North of Scotland than elsewhere, it may be reasonably expected that we shall
there find the strongest and most enduring evidence of the infusion of paganism
into Christianity.
A manuscript formerly in the library of John Anstis, £&<]., Garter King of
Arms, and printed in tho Collectanea of Leiand, and also in a paper on Welsh
14
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
teeolh century, in which the wi-iter tells us that he vibited the locality
where bullocks were said to be offered to St Beyno, and that he wit>
nessed such an offering in lo89. This Beyno is described as " the saint
of the parish of C'iynnog, and the chiefest of all saintsbut we are told
that the people did not dare to cut down the trees that grew on the
saint's grounds, "lest Beyno should kill them, or do them some one
harm or another." Though so saintly, therefore, as to be deemed the
chiefest of all saints, he was evidently not worshipped solely as a bene-
ficent being, and sacrifices were offered to avert bis anger, as well as to
secure his favour; thus bringing out his successorsbip as saint of the
place to the demon loci of pure paganism. " They called Barnabas,
Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius and ti'ce tersd.
In our own day, belief in the healing virtues of the well on Inch
Maree Is general over all Boss-shire, but more especially over the western
district. The lunatic is taken there without consideration of consent. As
he nears the island, he is suddenly jerked out of the boat into the loch; a
rope having been made fust to him, by this he is drawn into the boat
again, to be a second, third, or fourth time unexpectedly thrown overboard
during the boat's course round the island. He is then landed, made to
drink of the waters, and an offering is attached to the tree. Sometimes a
second and third circumnavigation of the island is thought necessary, with
a repetition of the immersions, and of the visit to the well.
The writer of the " New Statistical Account" in 1845 says, that the
poor victim of this superstitious cruelty was towed round the island after
the boat by his tender-hearted friends. Macculloch, writing in 1824,
says, " Here also there was a sacred well in which, as in St Fillans,
lunatics were dipped, with the usual offerings of money; but the well
remains and the practice has passed away." He makes two mistakes
here. Lunatics are not and cannot be dipped into the well, which is
not larger than a bucket, and both practice and well still exist. Pen-
nant describes the ceremony in 1774, as having a greater show of
religion in the rites, and less barbarity in the form of immersion. Ac-
Suporelitioiu, by £. L. B. iu the " Arclnoolngia CambreDBia," vol. i. 3d aories, pp.
236, 236.
1 Acta xiv. 12.
NORTH'WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
15
cording to him, the patient was taken to the " Sacred Island, made to
kneel before the altar, where bis attendants left an offering in money—
be was then hronght to the well, sipped some of the holy water, and a
second offering was made; that done, he was thrice dipped in the lake,
and the same operation was repeated exery day for some weeks.'"
I could not learn that any form of words is at present in use, nor do
any of the writers referred to make mention of such a thing. Nor does
it appear that the feast*day of the saint is now regarded as more favour-
able than any other.
There is an unwillingness to tell a stranger of the particular cases in
which this superstitious practice had been tried, but several came to my
knowledge. About seven years ago, a furious madman was brought to the
island from a neighbouring parish. A rope was passed round bis waist;
and with a couple of men at one end in advance, and a couple at the
other behind, like a furious bull to the slaughter-house, he was marched
to the loch side, and placed in a boat, which was pulled once round the
island, the patient being jerked into the water at intervals. He was
then landed, drank of the water, attached his offering to the tree, and,
as I was told, in a state of happy tranquillity went home. " In matters
of superstition among the ignorant, one shadow of success prevails against
a hundred manifest contradictions."'
The last case of which I heard came from a parish in the east of Ross,
and was less happy in its issue. It was that of a young woman, who is
now in one of our asylums. This happened about three years ago.
Another case was reported in the " Inverness Courier" of 4th Novem-
her 1852, and is quoted at length by Dr Beeves in his paper on Saint
Maelrubba, already referred to. (See Froc. Soc. Ant. Scot., vol. iii.
p. 288.)'
Rvery superstition," says Archbishop Wbately, " in order to be
rightly understood, should be read backward."* In this manner I have
* Ponnant, op. eii. 830. ^ Le Clerc, op. cii. 43.
^ In reference to this notice I may mention that some fifteen or twenty years
bach, a farmer from Letter Ewe is said to have brought a mad dog to the well on
the island. It drank of the waters and was cured ; but the desecrating act is said
to have driven virtue for a timo from the well.
* Whately's Annotations on Bacon's Essays, p. 163.
16
OV VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
eDdeavoured to treat that which is attached to the little koown Inch
Maree. We have seen it as it exists to-day,—with its ceremoDies of
cruelty, barbarism, and ignorance; we have seen it, differing little from
its present form, a century ago; we have seen it in 1656 and 1678
associated with an abominable and heathenish sacrifice; we have con-
nected it with the saintly founder of the monastery of Applecross; and
we have adduced some reasons for believing that its real paternity goes
back to strictly pagan times.
It is difficult to uproot superstitions of this nature. They may have
to accommodate themselves to changes, but they will still live, though
they may have lost limbs, or put on masks, or changed their name, or
even been deserted by their priestly patrons. Their death is always slow.
Rather than be put out, they consent to many contortions and losses.
To Romanism they only yield that which is imperatively demanded, and
here they generally make a fair bargain. To a sterner and less formal
Protestantism they make larger concessions, but always yielding bit by
bit resistingly. Macadam and Watt are deadly foes. Turnpikes and
railways they shun. The schoolmaster is a sure destroyer; and against
his blows they have no shield to raise. " The master of superstition,"
says Bacon, " is the peopleand we add, the master of the people is
ignorance.
Id such old superstitions we often find monuments more enduring
than stone. A Goth of a CtU, as lately happened, breaks up an ancient
cross for the lintel of a manse, or for some other equally profane pur-
pose; and what time had spared for so many centuries we have the
end of in a moment—a complete destruction, from which there is no
return. No such complete and sudden death can befal old customs and
superstitions. They are tenacious of life, and, in their hills of mor-
tality there is no such heading as violent deaths. One religion condemns
them, yet with some change of garment deems it prudent to adopt them ;
auother wages open war against them, and appoints an army of faithful
searchers and tryers to hunt them to death ; hut they retire into comers,
where their own army of faithful adherents secretly cherishes and keeps
them in life. In the obscurity of such retreats we still occasionally fall
' Esaaj nn Superstitioa. Bacon.
KORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
17
u^ioD these moDumental customs, but with those markings which would
reveal their origin, effaced or fragmentarj, and not easily deciphered or
understood. Yet there are traces of the markings still there, and the
reading of them becomes a problem of much interest, but one which
demands a learning and research possessed only by the few, and the
want of which 1 plead as an apology for the small success of the effort
in this case. "We were hinted by the occasion, not sought the oppor-
tunity, to write of old things, or intrude upon the antiquary."' Old
customs, as well as old urns, are to be found lying in silence, or burled
among us, or in short accounts passed over; and it appears to be the
duty of one whose social excavations occasionally bring them to light, not
to repone them in their obscurity.
Marx, in his quaint letter to the defunct Albert Thaer, predicts that
" a time will come when the amateurs in nosology, like the friends of
bumauity for the primitive races of mankind, will unite in an abo-
rigines protection society for the conservation of the remnant of human
diseases."' Superstition may be regarded as a disease; but the only
conservation which we desire for it is one in its history on paper. If,
however, as is said, it be so firmly imbedded in human nature, that a
phrenologist might discover an organ for it,—a spot in the brain which
can discern no truth, as the yellow speck in the eye receives no image,'
—we shall have to wait long before any union is needed, even to keep
the remnant alive.
Melisla.
There is a little island called Melista, separated by a narrow sea-
way from the coast of tJig, without any permanent population, but
to which, in former times, people resorted for the two or three summer
months, to look after the cows, which they transported to it for the sake
of pasturage. Tradition says of this island, that no one was ever born
on it who was not from birth insane, or who did not become so before
death. In the last generation, three persons had the misfortune, for the
first time, to see the light of day on this unlucky spot, and all three were
> Sir Thomas Browne, iii. 4. Bohn's ed.
2 Moral Asp. of Med. Life, bj Mockness, p. 115.
^ Marx's Letter to Petras de Apono.
18
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
mad.i Of one of them, who is remembered by the name of " Wild Mur-
docb," many strange stories are told. It is said that his friends used to
tie a rope round his body, make it fast to the stem of the boat, and then
pull out to sea, taking the wretched man in tow. The story goes, that
he was so bouyant that he could not sink; that they " tried to press him
down into the water;" that he could swim with a stone fastened to him;
that when carried to the rocky holms of Melista or Greinan, round which
the open Atlantic surges, and left there alone, he took to the water, and
swam ashore; and that, when bound hand and foot, and left in a kilo,
by a miracle of strength he broke his bonds and escaped. It was thus
they are said to have treated him during bis fits of maniacal excitement;
and there are many still alive who saw it all, and gave a helping hand.
Not single was this poor man's misfortune. To his insanity was added
the calamity of living among an unenlightened people, a thousand years
removed from the kindly doctrines of the good Pinel. The further story
of wild Murdoch will astonish no one. He murdered his sister, was
taken south, and died in an asylum; or, as the people say and believe,
in the cell of a gloomy prison, under which the sea-wave came and went
for ever.
I am not here detailing what happened in the middle ages. It is of
the nineteenth century—of what living men saw—that I write.
The towing behind the boat* establishes a relation between the
superstitions of Melista and Inch Maree. The additional belief, in the
case of Melista, that an insane man cannot be made to sink, I find is
common over the North-west Highlands. A gentleman in Dingwall first
told me that it was a general opinion that idiots and insane persons
do not sink in water. It is popularly accounted for, he stated, by
the mpture of the gall-bladder, which is regarded as the condition of
that organ in all such people. When I heard this, I remembered with
interest that the learned author of the " Pseudodoxia Epidemica" tells
1 This waa asserted to me over and over again, bat I think it improbable that
this email island woe the birthplace of all the three.
* A Lewis gentleman, who read this paper in manuscript, here inserts the follow-
ing marginal noto:—" The reason for lowing wild Murdoch was, because it would
not have been safe to hare had him in the boat. This was told to me by one of his
relatives."
KORTB-WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
19
us, that the popular expIauatioD id his day of the floating of dead bodies
was the bursting of the gail-bladder, which, as he says, being " the fiery
humour, will readiest surmount the water."' The practice of immersion,
and even suhmersiun in the sea, or in other waters, for the cure of lunacy,
is also of great antiquity, and has received the sanction of no less die-
tinguisbed a physician than Boerhaave, one of whose celebrated apho-
risms is to this effect; " Prxcipitatio in mare, submersio in eo con-
tinuata quam-diu ferre potest, princeps remedium est"' Borlase, in bis
" Natural History of Cornwall," quoting from Carew, says that, in the
parish of AJtarnum, madness was cured by placing the patient on the
brink of a pool filled with the water from St Nun's Well, and then,
without telling him of the intention, tumbling him into the pool, " where
he was tossed up and down by some persons of superior strength, till,
being quite debilitated, his fury forsook him. He was then carried to
church, and masses were sung over him."' To preclude the demon from
lurking in the hair, a special water was sometimes used; the patieut was
plunged over bead and eors in a bath of G^regorian water, and detained
there jmt up io the drovmtng junnt. Many writers refer to this, ^'e
thus see that the custom is both old and wide-spread. It is not probable,
however, that all its ramifications have had the same origin.
The belief that all horn on Melista are or will be insane, has probably
originated in two or three successive births on the island being thus un-
fortunate. I know a small parish in Scotland in which three idiots were
bom on the same night, and insanity ap{)eared in the families of the last
three consecutive occupants of a house which I know well—the families
not being related to each other.
Temple of St Molonah}
Near the Butt of the Lewis there is a small unpretending ruin, whose
architecture shows it to be of considerable antiquity. It is called by
the people the Teampull-mor, and also the Temple of St Molonab or
r Sir Tlioma* Browne, op. cit., i. 404. Bohn's ed.
2 Fettigrew'e Med. Superstitions, p. 03.
^ DaljeU. Darker Superstitions of Scotland, p. 008, from "Discours admirable d'uno
teligieuae posaessiic," p. 88.
* In Gaelic, Maolonfhadh.
20
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
St Mulvay.' Luoatics are brought from many parts of the Dorth-weet
of Scotland to this ruin.* By this, however, I do net mean that it is
a yearly occurrence, or that it is a frequency in any way to be com-
pared with that which once held good at St Fillan's, when, as has been
aihrmed, two hundred insane persons were carried thither annually.'
The patient walks seven times round the temple, is sprinkled with water
from St Bonan's Welt, which is close at hand, is then bound and depo-
sited for the night on the site of the altar. If be sleeps, it is believed
that a cure will follow, if not, the powers are unpropitious, and bis
friends take him borne, believing it to be the wilt of Heaven that he shall
remain as he is. The water was formerly brought from the well in an
old stone cup, which was left in the keeping of a family, regarded as the
descendants of the derk of iht tcmph.
One man who had been taken there, and whom I saw, had the good
fortune to sleep, and was cured. He afterwards married, and bad a
family. Seven years ago be again became insane, and 1 found him
labouring under dementia. 1 heard of several others in our own day,
who bad been sent to St Molonah—some from the mainland of Scotland,
—but no happy issue was reported.
This superstition closely resembles that which is attached to the Chapel
of St Fillan. As it is my object, however, in this paper to confine myself
as much as possible to the superstitions of the North-west Highlands of
Scotland, 1 shall do nothing more than allude to the miracle-working
pool, to which the pen of Sir Walter Scott has given a world-wide fame.
Would that his words embodied a truth, and not an idle superstition I
" Saiat Fillan's blessed
Whose springs can frGn2ied dreams dispel,
And the crazed brain restore."'
r St Molochus.
2 A Lewis gentleman, rending this paper in mannscript, writes on the margin,
" 1 know two persons who were brought to the temple. The result was favourable,
but one has had a retnm of the malady. It is said that n visit to .the church has no
ef5cac7 for a retvm of the disease."
® Heron's Jonrney, i. p. 282.
* Marmiou. Edition 1852, p. 124, and note 18. It is not in reality a well, but a
deep rock pool in the river, which is close to the ruin.
NORTU*WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
21
Alexander Dewar, the present custodier of the Quigrich or Crozier of St
Fillan, thus describes the ceremony " There is likewise in StrathfiUan
still standing the walls of an old chapel, where people used to go with those
who were out of their mind; and after dipping them two or three times
in a deep pool of water, they would leave them tied for the night in the
old chapel, and such as got loose through the night they believed would
get better, but those that remained bound were concluded incurable."^
The two great days for visiting this spot were the let of May and 1st of
August,^ though the saint's feast-day is the 9th of January.® The first
of these is the favourite day for a vast number of the virtue wells of
Scotland, and beyond doubt is connected with the pagan Beltane. Some-
times the first day has been changed to the first Sunday. Convenience
may probably explain this change.
dfay Wells.
Of the many May wells which I know in Scotland, none appears
to be in such repute as that of Craiguck, in the parish of Avoch, Boss-
shire. Totive offerings are generally left at these wells, often simply
consisting of bits of the patient's clothing, attached to a bush near
the spring. It was not without astonishment that in so protestant
a part of protestant Scotland as the parish of Avoch I found the bush
above Craiguck Well, wben I visited it last summer, literally covered
with such offerings. Legion was their name. I might almost say with
an old writer, quoted by Grose, that I saw on it such numbers of rags
" as might have made a fayre rheme in a paper myll."^ These offer-
ings, I doubt not, were at one time of a nature more valuable than
the rag which is now deemed sufficient. They were left to propitiate
or obtain the favour of the saint, and, before the epoch of saints, perhaps
to appease a malevolent deity. In our day, I believe there is no definite
recognition of the object; but, at the same time, I am satisfied that
there is always a vague feeling that some supernatural power will thereby
be made friendly, and give aid or intercession. Ko one will of course
' The Quigrich or Crozier of St Flllau. By Daniel Wilson, LL.D. 1859, p. 8.
2 Dalyell, op. cil., p. 79.
3 Sir Walter Scott. Note 8 to Olenlinlaa.
* Pcttigrew, op. eil., p. 89.
22
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
acknowledge tbie. Few, indeed, will admit that they are among the
frequeotere. Such welts are chiefly in renown for the restoration of
" backgane baimsand it not unfrequently happens that children, re-
garded simply as backward in infancy, in later childhood, or in adult life,
are acknowledged imbeciles or idiots, and thus come under my notice,
and 1 have often found that the efficacy of these springs had in early
life been tested, in the cases of such unfortunates, by a May-day visit, and
an additional streamer to the bush.
In old times it was the custom, if a cure did not foUow a visit to one
well, for the patient to go on to another,—from Strutbill say to St Fillan,
and thence to Loch Maree or St Bonah; and if all the wells in Scotland
failed, those in England were then resorted to. Such a case is given in
the life of St Godric. A woman in Musselburgh became insane after
childbirth, and murdered her child. After a time the mania became re-
mitting, and " tunc cepit loca sancta per Scotiam circuire, cupiens
plenam recipere sospitatem. Tandem venit ad sanctum Godricum,"
where her piety and importunity were rewarded by a miraculous cure.'
In the first volume of the " Archmologia Cambrensis," there is a paper
on " Holy Wells," by " Ab Itbel," who is of opinion that they were at
one time objects of pagan worship; and in support of this he gives two
important quotations, which I subjoin.*
It appears that St Patrick found such a worship among the Irish. His
motive for visiting Slane is said to have been to see a fountain there, of
which he bad heard, and which the magi honoured, and made offerings
to, as to a god.^
But not only do we find that in very remote and pagan as in later times,
belief in the supernatural powers of such wells, or worship of them, was
common, we also find that the ceremonies or rites still or lately attending
> De Vita Sancti Godrici, p. 391. Snrtecs Society's publications. Professor Simp-
son mentions this case in a late number of tho " Med. Times and Gazette."
^ " Neque nominatim inclamitans montcs ipsos, aut fontes vel colles, aut fluvios
olim exitiabiles. nunc Tcro humanis usibus utiles, quibus divinus honor a cicco tunc
populo cumulabatur."—IlitC. Gild, § d.
" Prohibemue etiam serio—quod quis adoret Ignem, vel Fluvium Torrens, vol
Snza, Tel alicujus generis arburum ligna."—WiUntu, Leg. Ang. Sax. p. 18d,
3 Sir W. Betham'e Irish Antiquarian Researches. Ap. 29.
NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
23
a visit to them are substantially the same as those anciently observed.
It was the general custom in Scotland, not long ago, to drop into the
waters a pin, or small coin, or pebble with the name of the patient on
it, as well as to attach a bit of the clothing to a bush. The same, and
other similar offerings (even to the pin), are or were lately dropt into or
left at the holy fountains of Wales. And I find that to the springs of
the Nile similar gifts were made. Seneca, in Qwieit. Nat., when speak-
ing of tbem, says: " In hac ora stipes sacerdotes, et aurea dona prffifecti
cum solemne venit sacrum jaciunt."—"Here, on solemn festivals, the
priests throw in their brass money, and the great men their gold offer-
ings." And Pliny (lib. viii. ep. 8), speaking of the sacred spring of the
Clitumnus, has an allusion to the same custom, " Pons purus et vitreus
ut numerare jactas stipes et relucentes calculos possis."—" A spring so
pure and clear, tlrat you may count the pieces of money that have been
thrown into it, and the shining pebbles at the bottom."'
That the superstitious belief in the virtues of these holy wells is a pro-
longation of pagan worship, we have a further proof in the choice of the
day for visiting them. To this I have already alluded. There are, more-
over, cases in which the well is associated with a sort of sacrificial cere-
mony. Such is St Tegla's Well, in the parish of Llandegla, which was
considered efficacious in cases ot epilepsy. The patient repaired to it
after sunset, washed in it, made an offering into it of fourpence, walked
round it three times repeating the Lord's Prayer; then offered a cock or
hen, carrying it round the well and church ; after which he went into
the church, crept under the altar, and passed the night with the Bible
as a pillow, and the communion-cloth as a coverlet—departing at break
of day, after a further offering of money, and leaving the cock or hen.'
This superstition can be regarded as nothing but an amalgam of Chris-
tianity and paganism. I agree with Ab Ithel in thinking it probable
that the early missionaries to Britain appropriated for the church these
wells, by selecting tbem as the " Lavers of regeneration," or baptismal
fonts. In the very parish of which Ab Ithel is incumbent, there is such
> I am indebted for tboso two last quotations to a paper by " W." on the Holy
Wells in Monmouthsliiro, printed in the " Arcbteologia Cambrensis," vol. ii. p. 87.
2 Arch. Cnmb. vol. i. p. 60.
24
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
a well, from which, though a mile or more from the church, several of
his parishioners, living in 1846, remembered the baptismal water invaii-
ably to have been brought.'
Nay, I have proof, that the enlightened, 250 years ago, regarded
the resorting to these wells as a sort of devil worship in disguise.
Id a little quarto tract by Dr Anderson (the inventor of the pills which
still go by his name), entitled "The Colde Springe of Klnghome Craig.
His admirable and New Tryed Properties, so far foorth as yet are found
by Experience. Written by Patrick Anderson, D. of Physicke, Edin-
burgh. 1618.," he assures his readers that the waters of his Einghome
well "are not lyk the superstitious or mud-earth wells of Menteitb,
or Lady Well of Stratb-Eme, and our Lady Well of Buthven, with a
number of others in this countrie, all tapestried about with old rags,
as certaiue sigoes and sacraments wherewith they arle the divell with
ane arls-pennie of their health; so suttle is that false knave, making
them believe that it is only the virtue of the water, and no thing els.
Such people cannot say with David, The Lord %$ my helper, but the
DevilL"*
Pennant, in bis Tour (ii. 336) gives an account of the well of St
George, in the parish of Cegidoz. near Abergelcn.'' Ee says, " S* George
had in the parish his Holywell, at which the British Mars had his offer-
ing of horses." Now the British Mars was the god Beli, who was wor-
shipped as " the leader in battle."
Superstitions relating to Epilepsy.
Some disgusting superstitions, associated with epilepsy, still exist in
Scotland
In the parish of Barvas, an epileptic maniac was put into bed
with bis dead mother, and left there for the night. A cure did not
follow, and be ultimately died in a 6t. I met many persons who had
known this unfortunate lad.
In the parish of Eintail, where the people are very backward and
* Arch. Camb. vol. i. p. 64.
^ I am indebted for this quotation to Mr Joseph Robertson. The early notice
of the bite of clotbing as an oirering is of interest.
3 Arcb. Cnmb. i. 184.
NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
25
credulous, I eocountered the Bamo superstitiou io a still more offeusive
form. I saw a poor epileptic idiot there who had been made to drink
the water in which his dead sister had been washed. The Ets are said
to have been less severe and less frequent ever since. I was also told
of another epileptic in one of the western islands, who had been bathed
in the water in which his dead wife had been washed.
In the west of Boss and in the Hebrides, I have seen several epileptic
idiots who had been made to drink a small quantity of their own blood
for the cure of the disease.
In Caithness, the skull of a suicide was used as a drinking cup in
order to cure epilepsy. Mr B., a schoolmaster in Orkney, states that
he knew the remedy to have been tried in the case of J. B., an epileptic,
now dead. The body of C. B. was disinterred in order to obtain her skull
for this purpose. She committed suicide by leaping from Huncansbay
Head, and, falling on the rock below, her body was recovered and buried.
The fresh blood of a criminal was long a much esteemed remedy.
Barrington, in his " Obser^'ations on the More Ancient Statutes," quotes
the following:—"A notion still (1760) prevails in Austria, that when a
criminal is beheaded, the blood drank immediately that it springs from
the neck is a certain euro for the falling sickness."' It is singular,
indeed, bow mystic has ever been the value attached to the blood and
corpses of criminals. We encounter it in many superstitions. Crollius,
in his receipt for the weapon-salve, makes choice of moss that grows
on the skull of a man that hath died a violent death; but his commen-
tutor, Hartman, expressly "preferres one that hath been hanged."' In
an old Dispensatory published in 1670, I find the following:—"Some
say human blood drunk hot cures epilepsy, if violent exercise be used
after it; but it is very dangerous, for oftentimes it causes epilepsy, and
brings great tremblings on those that take it."^
For the cure of the same disease, there is still practised in the North
of Scotland a formal sacrifice—not an oblique, but a literal and down-
right sacrifice to a nameless but secretly acknowledged power, whose
propitiation is desired.
' Timbs' Pop. Enors, p. 189. ' 'Wittie's Translation of Primroso, p. 402.
' Salmon's Dispensatory, II., i. 16.
26
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
Ou tbo spot where the epileptic first falls a black cock is buried alive,
along with a lock of the patient's hair and some parings of bis nails.
1 have seen at least three epileptic idiots for whom this is said to have
been done. A woman who assisted at such a sacrifice minutely described
to me the order of procedure. In this instance, in addition to what I
have named, three coins were also bnried, and a "cum" of red onions,
pounded small, were applied to the patient's navel.
Dr G , of N , informs me that some time ago he was called on
to visit a poor man belonging to the fishing population, who had sud-
denl^ died, and who bad been subject to epileptic seizures. His friends
told the doctor that at least they had the comfort of knowing that every-
thing bad been done for him which could have been. done. On asking
what remedies they had tried, he was told that among other things
a cock had been buried alive below his bed, aud the spot was pointed
out But few years have elapsed since this sacrifice was openly offered
to the unknown demon of epilepsy in an improving town, to which the
railway now conveys the traveller, and which has six churches and ten
schools for a population of about 4000. Its occurrence so recently in a
community so advanced and so privileged, is certainly a marvel deserv-
ing of record. An old fisherman was asked by the Doctor if he knew of
other cases in which this heathen ceremony had been performed, and
he at once pointed ont two spots on the public rood or street where
epileptics had fallen, and where living cocks bad been cruelly buried, to
appease the power which had struck them down.
I have always found that the people who bad performed this ceremony
hesitated to speak of it with freedom. There is evidently a secret,
slavish dread of a power which they deem it prudent not to offend, by
speaking contemptuously of it; yet when charged with acknowledging
it, a denial is always given—not full and broad, but cautiously and
evasively worded. The same thing may be said in reference to all super-
stitions among the Highlanders.
This sacrifice of a cock for epilepsy and insanity is of great antiquity.
In 1597, at the trial of Christian Lewingstoun, the " earding of a quik
cok in tlio grand," is spoken of as a remedy for insanity.' The Moors
' Daljel], tf>. cit. p. 100.
NORTH-WfSST HIOHLANDS AND ISLANDS OP SCOTLAND. 27
and negroes of Algeria drown a living cock in a sacred well for the cure
of epilepsy and madness; and another Arab cure for epilepsy, with loss of
memory, is the drinking of the bile of a cock every morning.' Hens were
offered to St Vitus for the cure of chorea, or the dance of St Vitus, a
disease related to epilepsy.
" The next is Vitus soddo in Oyle, before whose fmage fairs,
Both men and women bringing bonnes for offering do repairs,
Tho canse whereof I do not know, I think for some diseaie,
Which he is thought to drive awaj from such as do him please." '
The cock was consecrated to Apollo, the god of medicine, and in
Egypt a cock was sacrificed to Osiris, whom some identify with the
Apollo of the Greeks.' During the prevalence of infectious diseases in
the East, the cock forms an oblation to a sanguinary divinity; it is sacri-
ficed at the entrance of the temples dedicated to one corresponding to
the Hecate of the Greeks; or it is killed over the bed of tho invalid.*
The women of Malabar offer the same oblation for the cure of disease.'
Sick persons in Ceylon frequently dedicate a red cock to a malignant
divinity; and if they recover, it is sacrificed.® The Collyrium which
restored sight to Valerius Aper, was the blood of a white cock mixed
with honey, and Esculapius himself prescribed it.^ Cocks and bens were
offered in Wales to St Tegla for the cure of epilepsy.*
It is interesting to find what we must regard as modifications of the
same superstition, so widely spread. The inference is that they have
probably had a common origin, and one of great antiquity. Tho cock
appears to have been sacred to pagan divinities of all ages; and early
Christians, preaching a religion the spiritual nature of which made it
unpalatable and incomprehensible to a rude and ignorant people, seem to
' Bcrtherand, Med. dcs Arabes, p. 465.
* Googft's Trans, of Naogeorgus. Brand., op. cif. vi. p. 298.
3 Dnlyell, op. cU. p. 191.
* Bartbolemy's Voyage aux Indes Orientalce, vol.). pp. 418-20; and Dalyell, op.
tit. p. 419.
^ Moor'a Hindu Pantheon, pp. 149, 150, from Dalyell, p. 419.
' Knux's Relation of Coylon, p. 78. from Dalyell, p. 420.
^ Le Clerc'a Hiat. of Phyeick, 1699, p. 86.
' Arch. Camb., vol. i. p. 50.
C 2
28
ox VARIOUS SUPERSTITIOXS IN THE
have tolerated Bome of the sup^erstitioDs or ceremoDies of the religion
which they struggled to supplant, and more especially those which bad
to do with the bodily rather than with the spiritual part of man.
It is more true of epilepsy and epileptic mania, than of any other form
of nervous or mental disease, that in old times it was regarded as a
demoniacal possession. In the miracles of St Godric,* there are fifteen
or sixteen referring to the insane. All of these, and more particularly
the epileptics, are described as possessed of devils. One under the head-
ing " De Da^moniaca ibi liberata," refers to a woman who is said to have
been " Sedecim annis a deemonibus, quos Eumenides' vocant ita seducta
et pergravata," &c. Another is, "De Dmmoniosa;" and another, "De
insane et dsemoniosa." While the cure of a furious maniac is thus
announced, "A vesania simul et dsemonio Uberatus, sanus surrezit."
Those who have witnessed a severe epileptic seizure, with its appalling
convulsive strugglings, will have little difficulty in understanding how a
primitive and ignorant people should regard it as having a supernatural
cause.
When, or why it came to be the morbus sacer of the Greeks and Bomans,
I am unable to say. Hippocrates ridicules the idea of there being any-
thing divine about it,^ and there are many reasons for believing that it
vxis treated as sacred, only in the sense of being a peculiar or special
infliction from the gods. I am equally unable to say how it came to be
designated the morbus sonlicus, an epithet in which the idea of guilt ap-
pears to be involved. It has also been called tbe Herculean distemper,
" not," says Le Clerc, " that he was ever troubled with it, or knew how
to cure it, but because a power equal to that of Hercules is required to
subdue so difficult a malady."* We are told, however, that Hercules was
twice insane, and it is possible that he may have laboured under con-
vulsive seizures. He was, moreover, tbe patron god of epileptics.
Whatever was the understanding of the Greeks and Romans, it is
certain that by the Jews epilepsy was looked on as diabolical.* This
indeed was the case with Orientals generally. Among the Arabs, to this
^ De Vita Sancti Godrici. 2 The j,f tJ,ig word is interesting.
' Works of Hippocrates, Irons, by Adams. * Lo Clerc, <y. eit. p. 38.
* Dalycll, op. eit. 615.
'nORTU-WEST highlands and islands of scotland.
29
day, epilepsy, and all conTulsivo affections, are regarded as a horrible
sexual union of the djenounes (or bad spirits) with the patients.' In our
own country it is well known that, till a period not very remote, the
notion of an epileptic being possessed of a devil was not uncommon.
" The Borcerie, incantations, and devillische cbarmeing," by which they
were cured in the seventeenth century, clearly point to such a belief.
Every year, however, it is losing its bold, and it is only to be traced now
in remote and little frequented regions.
Many of the aigm of possession point particularly to the epileptic.
Thus, the entrance of a demon was sometimes denoted by a sensation of
cold water running down the back;^ farther, the demons were felt
" creeping like ants between the flesh and the skin, or as the pricking of
needles."' These are neither more nor less than the aura and formica-
tion, the well-known premonitories of an epileptic fit. Again, personal
suffering, distortion of the visage, and barbarous screams, were signs, if
not essentials of possession, as they are also of epilepsy.
In the details of the sacrifice which has led to these comments
there are several indications that it was devised for the expulsion of a
daemon. The mind at first refuses to leave the major fact,— the actual
sacrifice of an animal by the Protestants of Scotland in the nineteenth
ceitury. The secondaries, however, are of interest. The hair and nails,
which were buried with the cock, are often oddly introduced into the
history of possession. It was always recognised that these evil spirits
" can lurk among the hair, or conceal themselves under a naU."* The
exo'rcist, when he failed in complete dispossession, sometimes actually
caused the dtemon to recede from the head and heart, and fixed him in
the toes,' and there was a desperate but special remedy,—viz., the Gre-
gorian bath, to which allusion has been made, for expelling the daemon
from his final retreat in the hair.
While St Ruffin and St Romaous were invoked against madness, St
John and St Valentine succeeded Hercules in being the special patrons
* Bertheraod, Med. dea Arabea, pp. 64, 57.
® DalyoU, <y. tU. p. 604.
* Ibid., op. eil. p. 609.
' Dalyell, op. ciL p. 604.
* Ibid., op. eit. p. 604.
30
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
of epilepticsaod these gaints not only removed, but sent the dis-
eases with which they were associated.
" Saint VaJentine beside to such as doe lus power despise,
The falling sickness sendee, and helpes the roan that to him cries ;
The raging mind of furious folkcs doth Vitus pacifie,
And doth restore them to their witte, being called on spoedilie." >
In Britain, St John appears to have been generally recognised as the
patron of epileptics, and accordingly we find numerous superstitions in
which he Is involved.
"Three nails made in the vigil of the nativity of St John Baptist,
called Midsummer Eve, and driven in so deep that they cannot be seen,
in the place where the party doth fall that hath the falling sickness, and
naming the said party's name while it is doing, doth drive away the
disease quite."* "Some, by a superstition of the Gentiles, fall down
heforo bis imago (St John Baptist's), and hopo thus to be freed from the
epileps; and they are farther persuaded, that if they can but gently go
into the saint's shrine, and not cry out disorderly, or hollow like mad-
men, when they go there, they shall be a whole year froe from this dis-
ease; hut if they attempt to bite with their teeth the saint's head they
go to kisse, and to revile him, then they shall he troubled with this dis-
ease every month, which commonly comes with the course of the moOu ;
yet extreme jugliugs aud frauds are wont to be concealed under this
matter." *
Cures for epilepsy, of a still more meaningless character, were common,
especially in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
' Drand, cir. i. p. 867. " Ruffinua ot liomanus ptireneBiprinsant. Morbo sontico,
olim Herculea, nnnc Joannes et Valentinus prassunt."—(kloresini Papatus, p. 16;
from Brand, op. eil.) The different forms of madness, indeed, hod eacU its saintly
physician. " St Muturin was physitian for fools, baring relation to the word bfatto.
St Acaire cureth the acoriastres. i.e., frantic or furious bedlams. St Arertin cureth
the arertineux, i.e., fantastical lunatic persons, and all the diseases of the head."
—(World of Wonders, p. 308; from Brand, op. eil. i. p. 862.)
• Googe's translation of Nuogeorgus, pp. 08, 09 ; Brand, op. eit, i. 868.
Lupton's Book of Notable Things, ed. 1660, p. 40; Brand, op. di. i. p. 886.
* Levinus Lemnius, 1658, Eng. trans., p. 28; Brand, <p. eil. i. 305-6.
KOBTH-WEST HIGULAKDS AKD ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
31
Paracelsos recommeDtled an amulet of coral againet epilepsy, and it
was thus used in England. It was also given internally, wheu it was
thought advantageous to take it in May-dew, and the great exponent of
vulgar errors does not altogether deny its efficacy.'
The root of the peony was often suspended round the necks of children
as a charm against epilepsy. It was called Baaras;' and Solomon him-
self is said to have pointed out its value, which rested on its being a
noted expulsor.^
The foot of the elk is a widely known remedy. It was considered
infallible, and was believed in by the Indians, and by the Norwegians
and other northern nations while in Britain, it was at one time regarded
as a " specific against epilepsy."*
Bings of various kinds were believed in and worn. Those, for instance,
made of a piece of silver, collected at the communion, cured fits of all
kinds ;* and there was a gain of power if the silver were collected on
Easter Sunday.
Almost all the precious stones, worn as amulets, were in repute as
" noble antepilepticks," as was also the loadstone, fed with filings of steel,
and wrapped up in a purple cloth, and hung about the neck.
A drop or two of the blood of the navel string, being first given to a
new-bom child in a little breast-milk, was believed to prevent the falling
sickness; and Lupton says that a piece of a child's navel string borne in
a ring is good against it.
The " aqua et oleum sterci humani" are called " very efi'ectual," and
there were other remedies even more filthy than this. Brendelius says
of the " essentia cranii humani," that it " is prevalent against epilepsy
beyond all other things whatsoever."
The urine of the bear drunk in mulled vinegar, the blood of a hour
cat taken with wine, the testicles of the otter,' powdered hare's heart in
' Sir Thomas Browne, op. i. p. 190. ' Lc Clerc, <y>. cit. p. 4o.
' Tuko and Bocknill, Psych. Uud. p. 12. Quotation from Joscphus.
* Pettigrew, op. cit. p. <58.
^ Now Load. Disp., 187<5-7. From this work much of the fullowiug ioforinHtion
is derived.
® Pettigrew, op. eit. p. 61.
' I recently saw an epileptic, residing in Upper Slrathden, to whom tho liver of
the ottor had been given.
32
ON VAB10U6 SUPERSTITIONS EN THE
BheDisb wine, aod the gall of the eheep with honey, were some of the
disgusting remedies for this disease common two hundred years ago.
Ivory was in high repute, and hence perhaps the virtues of Borbeck's
Lone, which is now in the museum of the Scottish Antiquaries. Its
history is thus given:—
" A curious relic, consisting of a tablet of ivory, was long preserved in
this family (Campbell of Barbeck). It was called Barbeck's bone, and
was esteemed a sovereign cure for madness. When borrowed, a deposit
of L.lOO was exacted in order to ensure its safe return."'
We cannot read of such gross superstition and ignorance without
thankfulness that they belong to past times. It must be remembered,
however, that in out-of-the-way corners of our land there still exists a
faith in practices and remedies as barbarous and coarse as the worst of the
obsolete superstitions to which I have alluded. I have found nothing
more heathenish than the sacrifice of the cock, and nothing coarser than
the drinking of tbe water in which a dead sister has been washed, or
the using of tho suicide's skull as a drinking cup. Fortunately such
things are nowhere common, but everywhere tbe reverse, and in nine -
tenths of tbe country tbey are probably wholly unknown.
The superstitions of an excessive credulity appear to have been
characteristic of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. If we go back
to more remote periods, we find a deliberate cruelty in tbe treatment of
the poor epileptic which appals our age, marked as It is by a tender
regard for all who are crippled in purse, body, or mind. One reads the
following quotation from Boece's chapter on tbe manners of the ancient
Scots with a doubting inquiry as to its truth:—
" He that was trublit with the falling evil, or fallin daft or wod, or
havand sic infirmite as succedis bo heritage fra the fader to the son,
was geldit, that bis infectit blude suld spread na firtbir. The women
that was fallin lipper, or bad any other infection of blude, was banist
fra the company of men, and, gif she coosavit barne under sic infirmite,
baith she and her barne war buryit quik."^
' SUt. Account. Craignish parish.
2 Boecc, Tranelation by Bellendcn, cd. 1C21, p. 68.
KORTH-WEST HIGHLAJ^DS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
33
" Aud this was doDe for the common good, lest the whole nation should
be injured or corrupted. A severe doom, you will say, and not to be used
among Christians, yet more to be looked into than it is." Such is
Burton's comment on this passage from Boece.*
The notion that Idiots are favourites of Clod, persons whom the
Almighty has taken under his peculiar protection, is said to exist still
among some Eastern nations. Of its existence in this country, in our
own or in other times, I have found little or no evidence. There has,
however, long been, and in some parts of Scotland there still is, a feeling
that these unfortunates illustrate a special providence—an extraordinary
act of divine power—but in the sense of a special affliction, perhaps even
of an abandonment to malignant spirits. The tender regard with which
many helpless idiots are cared for by their mothers, is simply the fruit of
maternal affection, which sees in the idiot, though an adult, the depeu-
dence of the infant, and gives the same care and nursing in answer.
Neglect, however, is too frequently encountered. The worst and coldest
bed in the bouse is too often that in which the idiot sleeps. But it is
pleasant to know that a kindness founded on a knowledge of the real
nature of the calamity is becoming mure general, and sentiments like
the following less rare:—
" An' is tlicro anc amang yo, but your best wi' him wad shore?
Yo mouna scaith the feclduse, they're God's peculiar care."
(Ballamtyme.)
SUICIDES.
In Lewis, till recently, burial in a churchyard was refused to the
suicide.' Not long ago a clergyman Ihere destroyed himself in a fit of
insanity, and it was with difficulty that his friends found a resting-
place for his body in the graveyard of the church in which he had been
accustomed to preach.
A grave in the Lewis usually lies east and west, with the head to the
Burton's Anat. of Mel., p. 140.
' A Lowis gontieman, who read this paper in manuscript, inserts the following
marginal note against this :—" Quite true, aud the feeling ttiU exists in the minds
of most of the Lewis people."
34
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
west, aud the bodj is earned to it feet first. Tbe poor suicide, how>
ever, is carried head foremost, and bis head lies to the east. A spot,
too, is sometimes chosen for bis grave on which tbe sun cannot shine. _
Tbe custom on the west and east coast of Boss'sbire dififcred some-
what. There the body was usually buried at low-water mark. In
1822, a poor old woman near D , in a fit of melancholia, cut her
throat. She was buried at low-water mark, but the sea disturbed her
grave, and her body floated and was washed ashore. It was found
there, and not being at first recognised, tbe people proceeded to carry it
to a neighbouring bouse. When on their way, the gash in the throat
was observed, the body recognised, and instantly dropped. For two
days it lay at tbe roa^Iside on the snow, till a person of influence in tbe
neighbourhood had it buried a second time, and more securely, in the
same fashion as at first. My informant was an eye-witness.
Not far from the same place, and about the same time, a gentleman
committed suicide. His friends concealed tbe cause of hie death, and
he was buried in the churchyard. The truth came out, however, and
the people took up his body by night, and buried it on the shore.
Within the memory of those living, a suicide was thus buried on the
shores of Loch Dbuig. For two years after few herrings came to tbe
loch. The people attributed this to the suicide's grave; and, accordingly,
they raised tbe body and took it to the top of a mountain which sepa-
rates Inverness-shire from Boss-shire. The story says that thereon tbe
herrings returned.
This habit of burying suicides on tbe march between two counties
was common in tbe south. On a hill between Lanark and Dumfries
there are tbe graves of many suicides. Tbe body was carried there in a
cart, which was left on the spot, as an unholy thing to be eaten by the
weather. The last burial is said to have occurred fifty or sixty years
ago, and report says that a fearful scene of drunkenness took place
on tbe occasion,—the cofBn being torn open, and the body baptised
in whitky. There are those living who remember to have seen frag-
ments of tbe cart by this man's grave.
Not more than seven years ago, a poor man is said to have drowned
himself in Locbcnrron, and his body came ashore near Strome Ferry.
The herrings deserted the loch about that time, and the people con-
NOKTH-WEST HIOHLAKDS AND ISLAKDS OF SCOTLAND.
35
nected this with the act of solf-destraction in he waters. To overcome
this iDjurioas iDflueoce, about three years ago, I am told that they
gathered on the spot where the body was found, and lighted a large
(purifying) fire over it. Within the last thirty years a similar thing is
said to have been done in Lochalsh. My informant remembers to have
seen the poor suicide in life.
The grandfather of a lunatic, who was last year sent to an asylum,
drowned himself off the sand of Laide. Ue was washed ashore at Coig-
each, and his body found there; and I was informed that the people of
the adjoining township took it to sea again and set it adrift. It was
again carried ashore, but on this occasion at the place where he had
committed the act. From this it was carried to the top of Aird Dhubh,
a hill not visible frum the sea, where it was buried. The ropes by which
the rude cofBn was carried ore said recently to have come to sight. My
informant remembered the occurrence well.
SETENTU SON.
That the touch of the seventh son can cure scrofula is still extensively
believed in our north-west Highlands. I have seen more than one poor
idiot, with strumous complications, for whom this magic touch hod been
sought.
Tbe ceremony is simple. The hand of the mystic mortal is laid on
the patient, " in tbe name of tbe Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one
God, who only works cures.'" These words are often, but not always,
used; and I am told that this is justified on the ground, that tbe virtue
being God's gift, is exercised in his name.
I have often been assured, that when seven sons are born in succes-
sion, the parents consider themselves bound, if possible, to make a doctor
* The Lewis gentlentan, to whom I have referred in other notes, here writes
on the margin of the manuscript:—" It is customary in Lewis for the seventh son
to give the patient a sixpenny piece with a liole in it, through which a string is
passed. Tins the patient wears constantly round his nock. In the event of its
being removed or lost, the malady breaks out again. 1 am not aware that they in-
voko the holy Trinity—probably some of them do. I havo known adults resorting
to a seventh son of not more than two years of ago. A person canght hold of the
baimie's wrist, and applied bis little band to the patient's sore."
36
ON VABIODS SDPEnSTITlONS IN THE
of the seventh. We have here nothing but a modification of the super-
stition under the influence of civilisation.
Dalyeli' says, that seven is one of the chief mystical numbers of Scot-
land, but I have not often encountered it in the superstitious of our
country. Three and nine are infinitely more common. It is undoubt-
edly, however, the chief mystical number of the East; and the origin of
this, 1 think, is to be found in its strangely frequent occurrence in holy
writ. In the same way we might account for its acquiring a mystic
value in our own country; but 1 am inclined to think that the particular
superstition now under consideration does not depend on the general
value attached to the number seven. I think it more probable that it
has its origin in the story of the seven sons of Sceva the Jew.* It is
true that In this case the power of casting out evil spirits, in the name
of Jesus, was claimed by all seven ; and possibly this claim may have
rested in some measure on the fact that they were seven. But it does
not appear to me difiScult to understand how the gift which the seven
claimed came eventually to be regarded as the possession of the seventh
alone. The story of these seven eons is told to an ignorant people, who,
thinking the power claimed depended on this number, accord that power
to such seven brothers as are bom among them. But the six are bom,
yet have not the gift till the seventh comes. It is with him, in fact, that
the gift appears. He brings it. It seems to me, then, a likely thing,
that such a people would soon begin to acknowledge it only in him—the
seventh—with whom it arrives.
In the " Secret Commonwealth," written by the Rev. Robert Kirk,
minister of Aberfoyle, in 1691, at page 38 there is a speculation as to
whether the mystic power of the seventh eon may not have its origin in
this, that " the parents of the Seventh child put forth a more eminent
virtue to his production than to all the Rest, as being the certain Meri-
dian and Eight to which their Vigour ascends, and from that furth have
a graduall declyning into a Feebleness of the Bodie and its Production."
" Political and religious prejudices," says Quetelet in his Essay on
Man, " appear to have been at all times favourable to the multiplication
of the species ; and great productiveness was considered as an unequi-
' Darker Superatitioos of Scotland, 80u.
* Acta xix. 13.
north-west highlands and islands op scotland.
37
vocaI proof of celestial beoedictioD, and of a prosperous stateand iu a
foot-note, referring to this passage, be goes on to say, " When a seventb
BOD was born, it was customary for the Prince to hold it at the baptismal
font. This practice has not become obsolete in Belgium; and we might
quote several examples, in which the magistrate, or one of his officers, has
been the representative of the monarch in such cases."
This superstition was common and old when Primrose wrote in 1639.
He regarded it as an attempt of the devil to manifest, in his " cursed
Emissaries," that wondrous power which " is, by the blessing of God,
granted to the Kings of Great Brittaino and France, and denied to other
Christian Kings."' In this royal gift it is well known that Sir Thomas
B^o^mo, whose " Vulgar Errors" were published in 1646, had a practical
belief;''' yet had its full brother—the birth-right of the seventb son—
been discussed by this learned man, I doubt not he also would have
attributed it to " Satan, the great promoter of false opinions."*
bvil eye.
No superstition is more common in the north-west of Scotland than
belief in the induence of the evil eye.
I saw a girl in C , in whose case idiocy was attributed to this cause.
An evil eye had fallen on her in childhood, and this was the result. Time
and place were named with precision. The gold and stiver toalcr was, in
her case, tried as a cure. A shilling and a sovereign were put into water,
which was then sprinkled over her, in the name of the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost.* So said her mother, a seemingly pious old woman, who
told me, in all seriousness, that though her child's mental health was
still as bod as ever, her bodily health had been much improved.
In some districts of the north-west of Scotland, a very sudden or
peculiar illness seldom occurs which is not submitted to this ceremony.
I know persons who have frequently seen it practised.
' Primrose. Popular Errors; or, Errors of tbo People in matter of PhTsic. Trans,
by Wittie, 16&1, p! 434.
^ John Browne's Adcnoclioirodologia, part 8, pp, 187,189.
Sir T. Browne. BoLn's edit., vol. i. p. 88.
* Id the parishes on the west of Ross-siiiro, in order to giro greater ofBcocy, tbc
water is taken from a riTulet through which a fnneml procession has lately passi^d.
38
OK VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
It is alleged, and I am inclined to think correctly, that in Lewis even
some elders of the church have a firm belief in the evil eye and witch-
craft.' •
CHABBI8.
In the Lewis these are common, and are still' much used, but more for
the diseases of cattle than of men. I have presented to the Museum of
Antiquities two which were recently in use. The sickness of cattle is
sometimes ignorantly attributed to the bite of a serpent, and a Lewis
correspondent informs me that the people make the diseased animals
drink of water iuto which these charm stones are put, and that they
swear to the cures thereby effected.
OHANOE OV NAUR.
There is another curious superstition with reference to the prevention
of insanity in a family where cases have already occurred, which I
encountered in the Lewie. An effort is made to extirpate the tendency
by the introduction of a new name into the family. I saw one case in
which this bod been tried without success.
CDANQELINOS. FAIBIRS.
I saw at M , in Uig, an emaciated, shrivelled, helpless idiot, a
dwarf with that puzzling expression of face-—a compound of senility and
babyhood'—which is not rare. He is believed to bo a changeling of the
fairies, who are supposed to steal away the human child, and leave for it one
of their own young-old children to be nursed. The only remedy fur
this of which I heard, is to place the changeling on the beach by the
water side, when the tide is out, and pay no attention to its screams.
The fairies, rather than suffer their own to be drowned by the rising
waters, spirit it away, and restore the child they had stolen. The sign
that this has been done is the cessation of the child's crying.
> The Lewie gentleman who annotated mj manuscript hero sa;e:—" Most true.
Dr Mitchell need not have a doubt on the point."
^ I know two idiots in one of tho Western Islands exactlf of the same character,
find also believed to be changelings of the fairies.
NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
39
I shall here conclude this notice of some of the superstitions of the
north-west Highlands and Islands of Scotland. They relate chiefly to
lunacy, regarding the nature and management of which opinions still
prevail which are far behind the kindly teachings of Pinel—-far even
behind the practice in the temples of Egyptian Saturn, if we may trust
the following:—"A formula of worship was there proposed as a charm,
and not as a moral medicine, and under this guise the crowds which
frequented these shrines were engaged in a succession of healthful and
amusing exercises; they were required to march in the beautiful gardens
and to row on the majestic Nile; delightful excursions were planned
for them, under the plea of pilgrimages. In short, a series of powerful
and pleasing impressions was communicated at a time when the feelings
were impressed with a most extravagant hope, and with perfect reliance
upon the power whose pity every act was intended to propitiate. The
priests triumphed, and the disease was subdued.'" What else do our
most advanced psychologists now recommend ? Where is the new thing
under the sun?*
But in no way wedded to wisdom, as in the foregoing, are the super-
stitions of the north-west Highlands of Scotland. On the contrary, they
are intimately united to backwardness and ignorance. Hod 1 not con-
flned myself to the superstitions relating to lunacy, this would have been
still more apparent. Erysipelas, for instance, to this day is cured by
cutting off one-half of the ear of a cat, and letting the blood drop on the
alfucted part. I have it on good authority, that within the last few years
this was more than once tried in the parish of Lochcairon. The abaidU,
a sort of colic to which cows on hill pasture are subject, is thus cured:—
The flist person who sees the suffering animal twists a rope against the
sun, passes it round the cow's body, cuts it into three parts and burns it.
An islander who in the morning encounters a snail on a bare rock with
the tail to him, turns from it as from a prophet of evil, and goes home
I Quoted by 0. W. Morria, from an author not oamed, in a paper in the 82d
Report to the Legislature of New York on tbo New York Institution for the Deaf
and Dumb, page 199.
3 Even Eaculapiua is said to haro relieved those "whose violent agitations of
mind raised an intemperate beat in their bodies, with songs, farces, and musick.">-
Ijt CUre, op. cit. 41.
4U
ON VARIOUS SUPERSTITIONS IN THE
again. I know a lady, who, when a child, labooriDg under hooping-cough,
was passed three times under the belly of an ass, in the hope and belief
that therefrom a core would come. Warts are rubbed with a piece of
beef, which is then buried with three barley-corns ; when these rot the
warts are expected to fall off. I know cases in which this has lately
been done; and I could retail hundreds of similar childish superstitions
presently practised.
Some of them we are sorry to find vanities. We mourn over their
impotency. If the heart of a lapwing could really improve the intellect,
warm the imagination, and sharpen the wit,' what a trade in lapwings
would arise I What numbers of them we should all swallow I What wit
and talent would fill the world! How glad the heart of the lapwing must
be that it has no such mystic power, and that wisdom has detected the
emptiness of the conceit.
If the chrysolite, bored through and filled up with the mane of an ass,
could really " drive away all folly,"' who would want one about bis
person? The poor would be supplied with chrysolites either by the
charitable or by the state. Wisdom would walk the streets, madness
would be unknown, and the writer's occupation gone.
I trust that this communication may not lead to inferences more
unfavourable to the people of the Highlands than the real state of the
case warrants. As a rule, the superstitions in question are confined to
tho more ignorant; and perhaps, after all, it is not more difficult to
understand an ignorant man's faith in the traditional value of " earding
a quik cok in the grand" for the cure of epilepsy, than it is to under-
stand the belief in spirit-rapping, which is not uncommon in onr times,
even among the more cultivated classes. The superstitious practices
which I have described, necessarily illustrate the social condition of the
people, but their chief interest lies in their being relics of antiquity;
and as such they are here discussed. I have done what I could to
secure accuracy, and I feel satisfied that all my statements will be
found substantially correct. " Si de veritate scandalum sumitur, utilius
pcrmittitur nasci scandalum, quam ut Veritas relinquatur."'
' It is doabtfal if these superstitions exist in ScoUand.
- St Augustine.
287
NOTICES OF THE CITY CROSS OP EDINBURGH, Ac., Ac., ILLUSTRATED
BY A MODEL AND DRAWINGS OP THE EXISTING REMAINS. By Mb
W. T. M'CULLOCH, Assistamt Libbabiam to the Society.
(PVmh Iht IWetedinfft ofth$ SoeUt^ of Antiquariu of Set^land, Vol, II., Fort II.)
" I vu boilt ap Id Ootkit timei,
And hare stood several bnndred roij^s;
Snered my mem'ry and my name,
Por kings and qveens I did proolaim.
I peace and war did oil' declare.
And roused my country er'ry where:
Your ancestors around me walk'd,
Tour kings and nobles 'side me talk'd;
And lads and lasses, with delight.
Set tryst with me to meet at night;
No tryster e'er was at a loss.
For why, I'U mtet you at the Orou,
I country people did direct
Through Ml the city with respect.
Who missing me, will look as droll
As mariner's without the pole."
Clavbbro.
" But now is rased that monnment,
Where royal edict rang,
And voice of Scotland's law was sent,
And glorious troupcMlang.
O! be bis tomb as lead to lead,
Upon its dull destroyer's head!—
A minstrel's malison is said."
Scott,
The City Cross of Edinbui^h, a model of which is now exhibited, and pre-
sented to the Musenm of tbe Society, represents the building which was de-
molished in the year 1756. It appears to have been re-erected in the year 1617,
as under that year, in Calderwood's History of tiie Church of Scotland, is the
288
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF
following statomentThe Crosse of Edinbnrgh was Isken doun; the old
long itone, ebout fortie foots or tberbj is length, was translated, by the de-
vise of cretane mariners in Leith from the place where it stoode, past me-
norie of man, to a place beneath in
the Highe Street, without anie harme
to the stone; and the bodie of the old
Crosse was demolished, and another
buildit, wherupon the long stone or
obelisk was erected and sett upon the
25tb March."' The removal here de-
scribed was considered necessary by the
Magistrates of that period, for the pur-
pose of widening and ornamenting the ^Hj^H W
High Street, npon the occasion of the ''0 ' «v| |
visit of King James the Sixth to his na- lif i ilK |
tive coimtry, which took place during - fcjM '"'MIi T
the month of June following. Respect-
ing the site of this old structure, or the
period when it was erected, there does
not appear to be any record ; but the
incident connected with it, of the mys- IH I
terious proclamation warning King '|w| |||(j|jj} ij|,
James the Fourth before he set out for < ™| BB Is
the fatal field of Flodden, is well known.
As above stated, only the hodte of the n <
building was destroyed, the "long ^
stone," and probably the pillars, gur- r ^ t ' i
goils, and medallions were used in the '
new erection.
Maitland,in his History of Edinburgh, relates some of the noble and ignoble pur-
poses for which this structure was formerly used. " There," he says, " royal edicts
were proclaimed ; there public rejoicings took place, on which occasions bumpers
of wine were distributed by Bacchus, seated on a gilded hogshead, to the populace,
who danced round the building to the sound of drums and trumpets ; at it also,
state criminals were executed; books burned by the common hangman; persons
scourged; ears cut off; noses pinched ; and other events of alike nature." But
although this author's work was published three years before the Cross was de •
' Diilvry, vol. vii., p. 243.
ANTll^UAKlES OP SCOTLAND.
289
molished, and notwithstanding its historical interest, he neither gives an engraT*
ing, nor a description of the building { he seems, indeed, to be of the same
opinion as those at whose instance it was removed, as he places it amongst
other buildings by which, he says, "the High Street was greatly pestered
and obstructed, and whereby the beauty of the noble street was greatly
eclipsed." His successor, Arnot, has however supplied the omission: he not
only gives a view, but describes the erection " as an ancient structure of mixed
architecture, partly Grecian and partly Gothic, octagonal in shape, 16 feet
diameter, 16 feet high, besides the pillar in the centre; at each angle there
was an Ionic pillar, from the top of which a species of Gothic bastion pro*
jected; and between the columns there were modern arches. Upon the top of the
arch fronting the Netherbow the Town arms were cut, in the shape of a me-
dallion, in rude workmanship; over the other arches, heads also, cut in the
shape of a medallion, were placed. These appear to be much older work*
manship tbau the Town arms, or any other part of the Cross; they are in alto
relitvo; the engraving is good, but the Gothic barbarity of the figures them-
selves bear the appearance of the lower empire. One of the beads b armed with
a casque; another is adorned with a wreath, resembling a turban ; a third bos
the hair turned upwards, from the roots to the occiput, whence the ends of the
hair stand out like points. This figure has over its left shoulder a twisted staff.
The fourth is the head of a woman with some folds of linen wrapped round it.
The entry to the building was by a door fronting the Netherbow, which gave
access to a stair in the inside, which led to the platform. From the platform
rose a column, consisting of one stone, upwards of twenty feet high and eighteen
inches diameter, spangled with thistles, and adorned with a Corinthian capital,
upon the top of which was an unicorn."'
The difi'erence of workmanship between the Town arms and other parts of
the building may be accounted for by the following circumstance, related in
Nicoll's Diary (p. 61), under date February 7> 1662 " by ordouris from the
Couunissioneris of the Parliament of England now sittand at Dalkeith, thair wer
maissones, carpentaris, and hammermen direct to the kirk of Edinburgh quhair
the Kinges salt wes erectit, and to the mercat crocc of Edinburgh quhair bis
airmes, and unicome with the croun on his held wes set; and thair pulled doun
the Kioges airmes, dang doun the unicone with the croon that wes set upone
the unicome, and hang up the croun upone the gallowis. The same day the
lyke was done at the entrie of the Parliament Hous and Mather Bow, quhair the
Kinges airmes or portrat wes fund." It is just possible that afler this rude
> History of Edinburgh, p. 902. Edinburgh, 1779,4to.
290
PUOGEEDIKOS OF THE SOCIETY OF
treatmeot to thoir Cross, the msgutrates of that day reeoired to erect the City
arms instead of the Royal arms, and so in all time coming give offence to neither
Roondbead nor Royalist.
It will be noticed that the centre pillar u variously described; Calderwood
calls it one stone fortie foots," adding, " or thereby," which may mean longer
or shorter; Arnot, one stono twenty feet; and Dr Wilson, in bis " Memorials
of Edinburgh," says, '* it in no way corresponds with Arnot's description ; it
is an octagonal Gothic pillar, built of separate stones, held together by iron
clamps, with a beautiful Gothic capital, consisting of dragons with their heads
and tails intertwined, and surmounted by a battlement," &o. The discrepancy
betwixt the first two authors may be explained by supposing that the one mea*
sured by guess, and the other by rule ; that between the latter and Dr Wilson
is set at rest by an event which took place on the morning that the workman
began to destroy the building, related in the Scot$ Magazine for the year 1756,
viz.—" The demolition of the Cross has now taken place. As soon as the work-
men began, wbich was in the morning of March 13, some gentlemen, who bad
spent the night over a social bottle, caused wine and glasses to be carried
thither, mounted the ancient fabric, and solemnly drank its dirge. The beauti-
fui pillar which stood in the middle, fell and broke to pieces, by one of the
pulleys used on that occasion giving way.''
This building was of so great importance that its removal in 1756—just one
hundred years ago—formed the subject of an Act of Sederunt by the Court of
Session ; and again, on the 13th Dec. 1735, as follows:—" The Lords, having
considered the representations of the Lord Provost and Magistrates of the
City of Edinburgh, setting forth that, when the Cross was taken away in the
year 1756, a stone was erected on the side of a well in the High Street, adjacent
to the place where the Cross stood, which by Act of Sederunt was declared
to be the Market Cross of Edinburgh from that period; that since removing
the city guard, the aforesaid well was a great obstruction to the free passage
upon the High Street, which therefore they intended to remove, and instead
thereof, to erect a stone pillar a few feet distant from the said well, on the same
side of the street, opposite to the Old Assembly Close : of which the Court ap-
prove, and declare the new pillar to be the Cross." Instead of the new pillar
wbich they " intended" to erect, the magistrates caused a few of the paving-
stoues of the street to be arranged so as to form an'octagonal cross, and thus
to indicate its former site.
In the year 1753, the curious old porch forming the entrance to the court in
the front of Holyrood Palace was very unnecessarily removed. A doggrel
writer of verso, under the nuine of Ctaudcro, wrote some lines—" The Echo of
ANTIQUAUI1S8 OF SCOTLAND.
291
the Royal Porch of the Palace of Holy-Rood Hoase, which fell under Military
Exeeutioo, Anno 1753." In this he says, in the name of Auld Reehie,—
" Uy Crou likowisc, of old roDOwn,
Will n«x( to JOB bo tumbled donn ;
And bjr degrees each ancieot place,
Will perish by this modem race."
In due time there appeared two other broadsides (also included in Claudero's
" Miscellanies"), being " The Last Speech and Dying Words of the Cross of
Edinburgh, which was banged, drawn, and quartered, on Monday the 15th of
March 1756, for the horrid crime of being an Incumbrance to the street—
" Yo ions of Scotia, mourn and weep,
For Arthur'g Oo'n, and Edinburyh CVois,
Have, by new achemvn, got a toss :
We, heels o'er head, arc tumbled down."
The other professes to be — "The serious Advice and Exhortation of the
Royal Exchange to the Cross of Edinburgh immediately before its execution,"
in which the author, with some prophetic foresight of the progress of such im-
provements, exclaims—
" The lAiei«nbootkM, ITe^ft-Aouw, and Ouard,
By the new scheme, will not be spat'd."
These buildings, as obstructions to the public street, were eventually removed,
and a few words regarding them, it his hoped, may not be deemed out of place.
The first of these was the Old Town Guard-House, which stood about 200
yards east of the cross, and is described by Sir Walter Scott as " a long, low,
ugly building, which, to a fanciful imt^ination, might have suggested the idea
of a long black snail crawling up the middle of the street, and deforming its
beautiful esplanade." This building, which was 70 feet long, and 40 feet broad,
divided into four rooms, was removed in the year 1785, the old veterans who
composed the city guard being accommodated in apartments under the Tolbootfa,
until they were actually disbanded. A notice and view~ of this structure is given
in " Kay's Portraits," vol. i., p. 429.
Another serious " obstruction" was the Luokenbootha or Booth-raw, a range
of buildings which stood between the north side of the street and St Giles's,
leaving a narrow passage on one side, in which booths or small shops were
erected against the walls of the church, and reducing the street half its breadth
292
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OP
OQ the other aide. At the east end of this ''raw," which eitended the whole
length of the church, was a pile of building six stories high, called Creech's
Land, the western extremity being the old prison. Erections of various heights,
which filled up the intervening space, were removed about the rear 1603, Creech's
Land and Tolbooth being demolished during the course of the year 1817.
Another building, the City Weigh-House, famous for butter and cheese, stood
at the head of the West Bow, not greatly in the way in peaceful times, but,
" ano great impediment to the schottis of the Castell, the samyn being biggit
on the hie calsey," in the times of trouble, and fur which reason Cromwell "gaif
ordouris for dcmolischlng of the Weyhous, and upone the last day of Decern-
ber I6o0, the Engliscbes began the work, and tulk doun the stepill of it, that
day, and so continued till it wes rased."^ Ten years alter, " the Weyhous of
Edinburgh, quhilk was demoleist by that traittour Cromwell, at his incuming
to Edinburgh, after the feght of Dumbar, began now to be re-edifyed in the end
of August 1660, but far inferior to the former condition."' 1'hb ungainly build-
ing was finally cleared away in 1623, to widen the passage to the Castle preparo-
toi7 to the visit of George IV. A view of the " stepill" is introduced into the
decorations of the ceiling of Mary of Guise's Chapel, formerly in Blyth's Close;
upon the removal of the building the pannels of this ceilmg were carefully taken
down, and aro now preserved in the Society's Museum.
The remains that now exist of the City Cross (which though small in itself, is
so often mentioned in Scottish history), are, a part of the " long stone," now
standing in a park at Drum, near Dalkeith, where it was placed in 1756 i
and five of the circular medallions, including the city arms, each of them three
feet in diameter, which were obtained by Mr Walter Ross, who had tbem
built into the front of Doanhaugh House, Stockbridge. Upon its demolition
in 1814, they passed into the possession of the late Sir Walter Scott, and now
adorn the garden-wall at Abbotsford; where, Dr John Alex. Smith informs nie,
may be seen a stone bason, stated to have also belonged to the building of the
City Cross.' This bason is of a circular shape, richly moulded along its upper
edge, and shows on its sides the remains of four human masks, through the
* NicoU's Diary, p. 40. Edinburgh Bsnnatyns Club, 1838. 4uk ' Ibid., p. 300.
' In a uinulo of Council, daud ll(h May 16G0, it is ordered—" That the treasurer cause
John Scott and Alexander Skirvon prepare, upon the Cress, pipes of load, and such other
things necessary fur running of wine at the spouts, and the treasurer t« provide wine-glosses
and other necessaries for the eaid use, with dry confections, and such others as shall be
thought needful and convenient. And sicklike, the treasurer shall provide eight trumpetere."
This order was preparatory to the celebration of the Restoration, being also the birthday of
King Charles 11., which was on the liSlh May.
ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND.
293
months of which fluids of yarions kinds have flowed ; it is three feet six inches
in diameter, eight and a-half inches deep inside, and eleven inches on the out-
side; its base is cut into an octagonal form, as if it had originally been placed
on an eight-sided pillar or base. The bason formed the central part of a foun-
tain which was erected by Sir Walter Scott before the south front of Abbotsford.
I am also indebted to Dr John Alex. Smith for sketches of the medallions pre-
served at Abbotsford, copies of which are now exhibited, consisting of the arms
of the city, the head armed with a casque, &c., and the others, as described by
Arnot in his " History of Edinburgh," already referred to. It is understood
that some other stones of the Cross, probably the three remaining heads from
the octagon, passed into private hands along with a house which also belonged
to Mr Ross. The woodcuts, showing part of the centre pillar and the view of
the building, are from Wilson's " Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time,"
and are obligingly contributed by the publisher, Hugh Paion, Esq., a member
of the Society.
Attempts have at various times been made to induce the civic rulers to
cause this building to be re-erected in facsimile of the old structure, but
without effect; which is to be regretted, were it for no other reason than to
enable the officials to comply with the injunctions contained in all Royal pro-
clamations,—that " our will and pleasure is, therefore, and we charge, that this
our proclamation seen, ye pass to the Market Cross of Edinburgh, and there
make publication thereofand also, to prevent the disappointment caused to
strangers visiting the city, who are led to suppose that the Cross, so celebrated
in history, is still in existence, from the style in which events that happen there
are recorded in the newspapers. If the objection of " interrupting the free
passage of the High Street" should be held as an obstacle, this would not apply
to the space of ground lying between St Giles's Church and the County Hall,
which has so far been acknowledged to be the proper site for the Cross, that
for several years past it has been chosen for the erection of hustings on occasion
of the election of Members of Parliament for the County and City of Edin-
burgh.
As a conclusion to this short history of the City Cross, may be appended the
following notice of an application mode by some of our Scottish Hei^dt to the
Magistrates of Edinburgh, with their decision on the subject
In July 1848, Mr James Sinclair, Unicom Pursuivant, Scottish College of
Arms, a citizen of Edinburgh, presented a memorial to the Right Honourable
the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council of the Ci^, which, after narrating
the circumstances connected with the removal of the old Cross and the act of
sederunt, 2l6t January 1756, concludes with the following prayer :—" To fulfil
294
PROCBBDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OP
and complete the obligations undertaken by their predecessors, and resting
upon them, to restore to dignit/ among the cities and burghs this capital of the
kingdom of Scotland, by the re-erection of the old Cross, or another worthy of
its place." The Magistrates and Council took considerable interest in the
subject; a la^ deputation went to Drum in two carri^es, but their decision
was onfaTOurable. Edinburgh, 7th December 1848.-—The committee, having
considered this memorial, and another of subsequent date from WilUaiu Ander-
son, Marchmont Herald : having also referred to the minutes of Coundl, 1754-
56, and visited the remains of the pillar of the old Cross, to be seen at Drum,
are of opinion that no practical inconvenience arises from the non-existence of
the Cross in Edinburgh, and that it does not seem either necessary or expedient
to comply with the request contained in this memorial.
(Signed) Gbo. Wilsoi*, D.Q."
HISTORY
OK THK
"MAIDEN" OR SCOTTISH BEHEADING MACHINE,
W ITH
NOTICES OF THE CRIMINALS WHO SUFFERED BY IT.
IIV
WILLIAM T. M'CULLOCH,
KCei'KR OP THE MirsElTM DP THE SOCIETY OF ANTIgUARIEK.
From the Pi ocetditiye of the iiocittij of Anli<{i(arifji of fikollaml,
roi VII.
EDINBURGH:
riUNTEJ) BY NEILL AND COMPAKY.
MDCCCLXX.
HISTORY
(IV THE
MAIDEN " OK SCOTTISH BEHEADING MACHINE.
[Tliis coiqmuDicatioD, which should have appeared in tbe present
volume at page 287, was postponed, with a desire to gratify tbe writer,
who wished to enlarge it with additional notices regarding tbe mode of
executing malefactors in other countries. Amongst bis papers there
were found various unconnected notes or references on this subject, but
it was considered advisable to give the communication iu this place very
much in its original form, as it was read to the Society on the lOtb of
June 1867. It may, however, be proper to preface it with a brief notice
of the author.
William TnoMsoN M'Citllocu, so well known to the members as Keeper
of their Museum, was a native of Edinburgh, and born in the year 1815.
His father, Mr James M'Culloch, wa.s for many years teacher or house
governor of the old Orphan Hospital, Edinburgh. While a youth, his
son William was put as an apprentice to Messrs W. & I). Laing, Book-
sellers (1829 to 1834). After various changes, at length, in tbe year
1846, he succeeded in obtaining a permanent situation when a vacancy
occurred as keeper of the Edinburgh Subscription Library. He also was
engaged as assistant secretary, and librarian to tbe School of Arts, under
Dr Thomas Murray.
At this time, as the Society's apartments and Museum were in tbe
same building with that Library (No. 24 George Street), be wae thus
enabled to give occasional service to the Society as clerk, with a small
salary. He rendered himself indeed so useful, having always bad a turn
4
TUE " MAIDEN.'
for mechanical coDtrivances, in arranging and ))reparing articles in the
Museum for exhibition, and also skill in copying and making facsimiles,
that it happened, when the new arrangements were completed fur
having the Museum transferred, as a National Collection, to the Royal
Institution Buildings, his claims came under the attention of the Council,
and, on tlie 12tb May 1858, on their recoromendation, be was appointed
to the responsible situation of Keeper of the Museum. As this required
on bis part regular and undivided attendance, he resigned his charge of
the Subscription Library. He still retained his connexion with the
School of Arts as librarian and assistant secretary, which did not in any
material way interfere with bis duties connected with the Society.
It is scarcely necessary to say, how much he was respected by the
members and visitors for his intelligence and obliging disposition, no
less than for bis devotedness to antiquarian pursuits. A few years ago
be gave two popular expositions of a series of views of public and other
buildings of " Edinburgh as it was long ago." The views, which bad
been photographed from old drawings and engravings, were exhibited
by the oxy-hydrogen light. These expositions were repeated on more
than one occasion. It is but a becoming ti'ibute to his memory to
add, that the admirable manner in which the Museum has been re-
arranged, after the recent alterations on the building, was very much
owing to his skill and exertions.
Mr M'OuIloch died at Edinburgh on the 22d May 1869, aged 54. A
minute of a Council Meeting held in consequence of his decease, states,
as follows:—"25lh May 1869. On the motion of the Secretary the
Council desired to record the great regret with which they have heard
of Mr M'CuUocb's death, and of the high esteem in which they regard
bis long-continued services, and great interest in the prosperity of the
Museum and of the Society."
As a further mark of the esteem in which Mr M'CulIoch was held, it
may be mentioned, that bis Widow being left in a very helpless state, a
subscription among the Members was immediately commenced, and a
sum sufficient raised for the purchase of ajoiot annuity to her and to his
sister, or the survivor.]
THE MAIDEN,
or the many objects of special interest to the student of Scottish his-
tury preserved in the Museum of Antiquities at Edinburgh, one of the
most interesting is the old beheading machine, better known as "The
Maiden." It is an object that attracts the notice and awakens the sym-
pathies of visitors from all climes and of every shade of colonr. Mutes
describe its action to each other with unmistakable significance; the
blind handle it tenderly.
The machine was made in 1564, and continued in use till 1710. In
1781, August 23, the Earl of Buchan, founder of the Sooiett of Anti-
itoabibs of Scotland, reported to a meeting " that he had made appHca-
tion to the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council fur such arms as are
in the city repositories, and for " the Maiden," to be deposited for preser-
vatioD in the Society's Museum." Although at that time the appli-
cation was unsuccessful, on the 31et January 1797, the Lord Provost
and Maoistratrs of edinddbon presented
" Tuk Maiden, an Instrument fob Bboeadino Criminals,"
us a donation to the Museum of the Society.
On the 8th March 1830 a communication was read before the Society
hy Mods. Cadriel Sdrbnnb, one of the Fellows, entitled "An inquiry
into the origin, use, and disuse of the instrument called ' Tub Maiden; '
aod into the laws and customs in virtue of which criminals were decol-
luted by the said instrument." It was not printed at the time, and, so
far as 1 know, bis MS. is not preserved.
Many conjectures, but not satisfactory, have been offered respecting
the origin of this designation. One author imagined that it was so
called because it remained long unused after it was made; another
suggests that it was so named in allusion to its " unfleshed and maiden
axe." But neither of these suggestions seems to solve the difficulty,
because assuredly the machine was not allowed to rust after it was made.
In a notice of the machine in the Town's Accounts shortly after it
8
THE " MAIDEN.'
was made, it is called " Tbe Madin," and this name it retained so long
as it continued in use, the orthography ranging between Madin, Maydin,
and Maiden.
Tbe sword was the implement used for decapitation in Edinburgh till
the middle of the sixteenth century, as is evident from the following
extracts from tbe City records:—
1552. Item for the sharping of the coromone Sweird ilk tyme H was
usit, v. 8. . • • Sum ma—00 10 0
1503.—Feb. The Baillies and Counsall ordaines Mr Robert Glen the
Treasurer to coften fra William Makeartnay his two handed
sword to be used for ane heiding Sword, because the auld Sword
is failzet, and to gif him 6re pounds thairfor, and tbe samin sal
be allowit in his complis."
In the same year two men were condemned to be beheaded " with ane
sword."
Beheading by a machine is not an invention of Scottish origin.
Machines were in use on the Continent years before one was introduced
into Edinburgh, which appears to have been the only one in Scotland.
Id a series of woodcuts showing tbe martyrdom of the Apostles, by Lucas
Cranach, an eminent German artist, published at Wittenberg in the
year 1539; and in the well-known collection of engravings by Bonasoni,
published, with verses by Achilles Bocchius at Bononia (Bologua), in the
year 1555; and also in a series of woodcuts, engraved by Henry Aide-
graver, of Westphalia, having the date 1553, there are given representa-
tions of executions by machines. It can scarcely be supposed that tbe
artiste would have figured such machines unless they had actually seen
them, or known that they were in use. Plate LXVl. is a copy of one of
these early representations by Cranach.
From an early period the manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire—of which
the principal town was Halifax—had the privilege of beheading criminals
guilty of tiie theft of goods beyond the value of thirteen pence half-
penny, committed within the bounds of the manor, and there the
punishment of decapitation was inflicted by a machine. [In the popular
English story, " The Binder of Wakefield, being the merry History of
Gegeor a Green," London 1632, in mentioning tbe town of Halifax, it is
THE " MAIDEN " OK SCOTTISH BEHEADING MACHINE.
11
related: " A Fryer tbere lived in those dayes that was very iogenioufi,
be invented an Engin, wbicb by the pulling out of a pin, would fall
and so cut ofif the neoke, this device kept them in awe a great wb ile
till at the last this Fryer had committed a notorious fact, and for the
same was the first that hanseled the new Engin bis owne invention."]
The register of executions at Halifax gives the names of those who sufifered
by the machine from the year 1541 till 1650, about wbicb time the
privilege ceased to be acted upon.
Hume of Godscroft states in his History of the Houses of Douglas and
Angus, published in 1644, "that James Douglas, Earl of Morton, laid
his neck on the block, till the axe {of the Maiden, which he himself had
caused make after the palteme which he had seen in Halifax in York-
sAiVe), falling upon bis kneck, put an end to his life, &c. (p. 356).
<fc." This is clearly a popular fallacy, since it will he seen that it was
made by the command of the Provost and Magistrates in 1564. The Be-
gent, James Earl of Morton, was executed on the 2d day of June 1581.
According to Hume, the Earl bad been carried prisoner to England in
1547, where he remained for some years; also that towards the end of
the year 1560, along with the Earl of Glencaim and Maitland of Letbing-
ton, he went on a mission to the court of Queen Elizabeth; and again,
dreading tbe wrath of Queen Mary for the part be had taken in the
murder of Biccio in 1566, be retired to England, lurking about New-
castle and Alnwick; and in tbe following year he had returned to Scot-
land, and lived in retirement. It thus appears that tbe Earl was three
times in England between the first and last of these dates. It is evident
he could not have obtained tbe "patteme" during his first visit; and
before the date of his last visit tbe machine was actually made and in
use in Edinburgh, so that, if be obtained it at all, it must have been
during his visit in 1560. It is, however, singular, if Morton bad any
such "patterne," that he did not produce it in 1563 when "the auld
beiding sword had failzet," as that was the time when it would have
been of service.
Fortunately tbe Halifax machine has been represented as it existed in
1650, and a comparison of the prints, with the " Maiden" in the
Museum, will demonstrate that it could not have been tbe "patteme"
for tbe Scottish machine.
12
THE " MAIDEN "
The Halifas instrument, as will be seen from the accompanying wooH-
cut, was erected on a raised platform of squared stones, the top of which
was reached by five steps on one side. The machine consisted of two
upright posts, fifteen feet in height, joined at the top and bottom by
transverse beams.' Within these was a square block of wood, which
Harrison, in his Description of England, vol. i. page 185, London 1587,*
says it was of the length of four feet and a half, which rose up and down,
' Rev. John Wotson'a History of Halifax, p. 223, Lon<l. 1776, 4to.
' [Kirat printed in Uniinaii<'d'B Chronicle, vol. i. p. 107, Loud. 1577, folio. lu tho
History of Ireland, vol. i. p. 40, thcro is a woodcut intonded to represent the bo-
heading of on Irish rebel, Mariad Ballagh, in the year 1807. The criminal is laid
within such a gibbet as that at Ilulifai, only tho axe is suspended from the top by
11 cord, which the executioner is cutting with a knife. In vol. ii. p. 6C4 of that
edition, the same woodcut is repoutud for the execution of a man who, in 1240, bad
iiltoinpted to murder King Henry III,}
The Halifax Beheading Machine.
OK SCOTTISH BKHEADING MACUINE.
13
lietween the uprights, ly meaos of grooves cut for that purpose. I'o
the lower eod of tin's sliding block an iron axe was fastened, which was
drawn up to the top by means of a cord and pulley; and at the end of the
cord was a pin, which being fixed either to the side of the scaffold or
some other part below, kept it susp<-nded, till either by pulling out the
pin or cutting the cord it was sufl'ered to fall, and the criminal's head
was instantly separated from his body. The criminal lay at full length
on the top of the platform, bis neck being placed on the upper edge of
the lower transverse beam. The machine was a fixture.
The Scottish machine is made of oak, and consists of a sole beam five
feet in length, into which are fixed two upright posts, ten feet in height,
four inches broad, twelve inches apart from each other, and three and a
half inches in thickness, with bevelled corners. These posts are kept
steady by a brace on each side, which springs from the ends of the sole,
and is fastened to the uprights four feet from the bottom. The tops of
the posts are fixed into a cross rail, two feet in length. The block is a
transverse bur, three and a quarter feet from the bottom, eight inches in
breadth, and four and a half in thickness. A hollow on the upper edge
of this bar is filled with lead. The machine is kept in a vertical posi-
tioQ by means of a brace and sole. Tbe sole extends five feet backwards.
The brace is hinged to the upper cross rail, beyond which it projects,
and into this projected portion a pulley, three inches in diameter, is fixed.
On the bock of the brace is fixed an iron peg, one and a half inch in
length and half an inch in diameter, and a bent iron lever with arms,
measuring respectively fifteen and four inches in length. There is an
eye at the end of tbe short arm, through which the peg passes when
tbe long arm is raised. Tbe axe consists of a plate of iron faced witli
steel. It measures thirteen inches in length and ten and a half in
breadth. On the upper edge of the plate is fixed a mass of lead seventy-
five lbs. in weight. This blade works in grooves, cut on tbe inner edges
of the uprights, which are lined with copper. When an execution was
about to take place, one end of a rope was fastened to the axe by passing
through a hole in the lead, and the other end, which had an eye, was
passed through the pulley and drawn till it reached the peg on which tbe
eye was placed, the short lever Icing under it. When the executioner
received the signal he pressed down the long arm of tbe lever, and so
14
THK •' maiden"
released the weighted blade, which at ooce desceqdcd aod cut off the
head of the criminal.
From a manuscript description of the machine written in 1837, found
among the papers belonging to the Society, it would appear that on one
of the uprights was a portion of an adjustment for fixing a moveable
iron bar, which was laid on the necks of the criminals to prevent them
drawing back the head when the blade vae about to descend. There
still remains a portion of an iron chain, which was also a portion of the
adjustment. In a notice of an execution which took place in 1606, it is
stated that the head was fixed to the machine before the descent of the
axe. The " bar," shown by dotted lines, is seen in position on plate.
If the Earl of Morton supplied the model for the Scottish machine,
before doing so be must have made very great improvements on the
pattern be obtained at Halifax. These consisted of the third transverse
beam, with its method of saving the edge of the axe; the back brace
and bottom sill; also the ingenious, though simple, contrivance fur
throwing off the rope—all of which were awanting in the pattern. The
Halifax machine, therefore, could not, by any means, be said to be the
model for the Scottish instrument, which so greatly differed from all
others, that whoever furnished the model would be well entitled to
claim it as a new invention.
It is no less remarkable that none of the contemporary authors mention
the introduction of the machine by Morton, although they D)inutely
relate all the details of his execution, and must have known whether or
not he bad anything to do with this novel mode of decapitation. Beyond
the statement of Hume, who could have bad no personal knowledge of
the matter, as, if born, he would have been quite a youth at the time of
Murton's death (which took place nearly sixteen years after the machine
was made and in use), there is no evidence to show that Morton had
anything to do with the introduction of the machine into Edinborgb.'
' [The above remarks might for the most part have beeu spared bad the compiler
been aware that, in all likelihood, Hume of Gudscroft was personally acquainted with
the Earl of Morton, or hod he attended to the obvious import of Hume's words.
Dr M-Crie (Life of Melville) concludes on good authority, that Godscroft was born
between 1660 and 1660. In 1684, when a portion of his History seems to have
been written, he was one of the Protcstaut party who sought shelter in England
OR SCOTTISH BEHEADING HAClllNE.
15
A Dew version of Hume's story, but with additions, appears in the
" Description of Tweeddale," by Dr Alexander Pennecuik, published in
1715. He slates, that Morton was " accused, condemned, and execute by
the Maiden, at the Cross of Edinburgh, as art and part of the murder of
our King Henry, Earl of Damly, father to King James the 6tb, which
fatal instrument, at least the patem thereof, the cruel Regent had brought
from Abroad to behead tbe laird of Pennecuik of that ilk, who notwith-
standing died in his bed, and the unfortunate Earl was tbe first himself
that handselled that merciless Maiden, who proved, so soon after, his
own executioner " (p. 17). Kelly, in his collection of Scottish Proverbs,
in 1721, gives, as an example, "He that invented tbe Maiden, first
hanselled it." Dr Jamieson, in his Scottish Dictionary, under the word
Maiden, quotes both Pennecuik and Kelly.
Morton was sentenced to be banged, and it was only by the caprice of
tbe King that tbe sentence in that form was not carried into effect:
That King he had served too well for himself; as be said on tbe scaffold,
" gif 1 had servit my God as trewlie as I did my King, I had nocht come
heir."
Hume and Pennecuik's statements have been repeated by many authors
since Dr Jamieson published his Dictionary. One of tbe most recent
notices of Hume's version appears in the " Book of Days," published in
1863, vol. i. page 728, where tbe story is repeated that " Morton is
believed to have been tbe person who introduced tbe Maiden into Scot-
land, and he is thought to have taken the idea from a similar instrument
which long graced a mount near Halifax, in Yorkshire," &c.
during Arran's supremacy. To suppose that Morton, under any circumstances,
would have brought with him " a pattern " or model of the Maiden is too absurd.
No doubt, it is strange that his name should have been connected by tradition with the
instrument, unless there had been some reason. The City Accountant reminded the
writer of this note of the circumstance tliat in the year in which tbe Maiden was
constructed, Archibald Douglas of Eilspindie, Morton's kinsman, was Provost of
Edinburgh; and this may suggest a solution of tbe difficulty if we conjecture that
Lord Morton had merely described the instrument which Home says he had " seen
in Halifax in Yorkshire." It is, however, as likely he may have seen a similar
instrument elsewhere during his residence abroad. But, at all events, Oodscroft has
not one word either of Morton liaving any such " pattern " in his own possession, or
of his becoming its first victim.]
16
THE " MAJDEN
Ab tbis Maiden fulfilled ber miBsioa en criminals from all parts uf (bo
kingdom, it was natural to suppose tbat some indication of its origin
would have appeared in tbe records of tbe Privy Council. These records
are silent on tbe subject. It is, however, distinctly slated tbat (be
inacbine was made at the "command of tbe Provost, baillies, and coun*
sale;" and although no mention is made of this "command" in the
Minutes of the Town Council, we find in the Treasurer's Accounts the
actual cost of making the machine to be as follows;—
" Fr<m the Discharge of the compte of Mr Robert Olen, Thesaurer of the
Burgh of Edinburgh begynnand at Mychaelmaa in the zeir of Ood
1564, and endand at Mychaelmas m the zeir of God 1565."
" Tbe Compte of tbe Heding Aix maid (be tyme of the comptaris office,
as efter followis, at command of tbe Provest, Baillies, A Couosale."
Item for ane greit geist containing of in lenth xxiiii futis price
tbairof, ....... xxx s.
Item for upbringing of tbis jeist with sax wane shot, . vs.
Item for outlaying of this trie out of ane cloiss with tbe sax wane
shot, . . . . ix d.
Item for twa stane twa pund wecbt and ane quarter pund wecbt
of Danskin yme price of tbe stane xiiij a, summa, . xxx s.
Item four pundis steill price of the pund ij s, summa, . viii s.
Item for vj stane and ane half of leid price of tbe stane xiis,
summa, ...... iii li. xviii s.
Item for thre faddum of tow to the piUie, . • . xviii d.
Item for thre wane shot & ane half to the cleking of tbe samyn
price of tbe pcce, viii s., . . . ■ • xxviii s.
Item to tbe man tbat maid tbe Aix be tbe space of sax dayis, ilk
day vs.,. . . xxx s.
Item to tbe said man for fasoning of tbe samyn, vli
Item for ane pund of saip, ..... xvid
Item to Mongo Hunter for thre bandis of yme, viii s
item for sloittis, stappcllis, A naillR, .... viijs
OR SCOTTISH BEHEADINO MACHINE. 17
Items for j*. planehor oaillis, . . . iij e.
Item for sawing of this jeist, . ■ • iij s-
Item for careing of the Aix to the smiddy <k careing of the jeist
frae the sawaris to Patrik Sbangs buytb, . xviii J
Item to Androw Gottersoun for onputting of twa stane d; half of
leid OD the Aix & tempering of it and for his laubors, . x s.
Item to George Tod wrycht vii dayis, ilk day iiij s., . xxviii s.
Item to Adam Sbang, nucbt dayis waigis, ilk day iiij s., xxzii e.
Item to ane prenteis vj dayis waigis, ilk day xviii d., . ix s.
Item to Patrik Shaog wrycbt for bis haill laubours & devysing
of the tymmer wark, . . xl s.
Tbat this machine continued in use is rendered abundantly manifest
by the following extracts from the Town Treasurer's accounts, which
have been made through the kind permission of Robert Adam, Esq., City
Accountant, a Fellow of the Society, and by the friendly aid of his
assistant, Mr John Murdoch. These extracts throw a flood of light on
the history of the machine, which is acknowledged to be one of the most
interesting objects now in the Museum of Antiquities at Edinburgh.
The first notice of an execution is on the 3d of April 1565, so tbat the
machine must have been made between tbat date and the 29th September
of the previous year, when the order was given for its construction, and
consequently other executions may have taken place before the one just
mentioned. Unfortunately the succeeding volume of Accounts is not
known to exist. The next volume begins with the year 1583.' On
the 9tb of June the " Maidin " reappears, and continues to do so, as it
required to be repaired, Ac., until the year 1660, when a charge is made'
by Alexander Davidson for a new axe to "the Maiden," and he "is to
mainteane it all the dayis of bis life." This was probably a new steel
facing for the blade. With this announcoment the oracle ceases to
speak, as about that date the accounts began to be kept on a different
plan, the sums paid being alone entered in the cash-book, and as few of
the accounts now exist, all trace of repairs done to the machine is lost.
* [Thin is oot quite correct. Tbo principal Accounts for 1562-6S. 1567-81
1640-41, 1648-49, and 1661-62, are wanting; but copios of the Accounts 1579-81
nro oxtunt.]
D
18
THE " MAIDEN "
That it coDttnued in use is seen from the charges for esecutione, which
appear sometimes singly, and often in slump. For instance,—"1681,
executing and beidiug five men." With |ucb curt entries it is rather
difficult to make out whether the ^'heiding" took place before the
criminals were dead or after, as it was by no means unusual to put the
Iteade of criminals over the Nether Bow, or as in the case of the Marquis
of Montrose, on the pike on the gable of the Tolhootb.
It is well known that a similar machine used in France took its desig-
nation from a person named Guillotin, whose connection with it was
that he suggested the use of a machine, as not only being more humane,
but also as a more expeditious mode of despatching persons obnoxious
to those in power during the reign of terror in that country.'
A macliine similar to the Maiden was formerly in use in Italy. Il
differed considerably from the Scottish machine, and cousisted of t
heavy lower transverse beam, into wbicb two upright posts were fixed
At the top was another transverse beam into which the upper end of th<
uprights was fixed. When an execution was about to take place, tb<
axe was drawn up by a rope and tied to the cross beam. When tb'
criminal gave the signal, the executioner cut the rope, and so set tb<
knife at liberty. The machine was called the Mannaia, which mean
fhe great knife.
It obviously would be a hopeless task to attempt to form a fu)
' History of the Ouillnti&e, by T. Crofton Oroker, 18&8, 12ino, in which tb
Scottish machine is describtid and though somewhat incorrectly.
[T^e Ouilloline.—In 1792, the Legislative Assembly, by an article of the Pen
Code, ordered a machine of decapitation (maehine dt morf) to be made, nnder tl
direction of Dr Louis, " perpetual " Secretary of the Academy of Surgeoue. It wi
constructed by Schmitt, a Gorman mechanic, then at Paris ; and at first it bore tl
name of Looison or Luisette. It afterwards, in some way or other, was nami
after Dr Joseph Xgnoce Gnillotin, a French physician, who was imprisoned durii
the reign of terror; but he escaped the horrors of the French Revolution, and di
at Paris in 1814, aged 76.
There was an important difFerence between the French invention and t
Maiden. This, as pointed out by Mr Bernhard Smith (in "Notes and Qneriei
April 80, 1870. p. 486), " consists in the form of the axe or knife, which hu
fltuiting edge instead of a hori2<tntal one, thereby giving a drawing instead of
chopping cut, the former by fur the more eifectual."]
OB SCOTTISH BEHEADING MACHINE.
19
und correct tist of those who have suiTered by lliis machine. The
records of the Justiciary Court are by no means complete; very many
of the names would not be worth recording Even the recorded sen-
tence is not always to be accepted as couclusive, as remissions, escapes.
Scc.y were by no means uncommon, though such events are not entered
on the records of the Court. The Town Treasurer's accounts are of
great importance although the series is not quite entire, and after a cer*
tain date the information afforded on the subject is rather meagre. The
works of coutemporary authors, who relate events with trustworthy
truthfulness, have not been overlooked The collection of Trials in
manuscript, in the possession of the Society of Antiquaries, have been of
considerable servicej and the collection of "Criminal Trials," published
by the late Mr Robert Pitcairn, have contributed materially in making
up the list of victims who have suffered by the ^^mercihM Maxdtn."
The list must by no means he accepted as complete, but an examination
will show tbat persons of all ages, and of both sexes—high and low,
rich and poor—alike suffered by the machine. Tliere does not seem to
have been any principle on which criminals were condemned to decapi-
tatioD, the mode of carrying out the sentence of death having been
apparently left to the discretion of the judges.
The machine continued in use till 1710, during which year Robert
Balfour, Master of Burleigh, for the murder of Henry Stenhouse, school-
master of Iiiverkeitbing, was condemned to bo beheaded; and as the
Maiden was the instrument used for inflicting that punishment, it is
fair to conclude that it would have been used on that occasion; but it
happened that the criminal contrived to make bis escape. After that
dale the decapitation of criminals appears to have ceased in ^Scotland,
and the machine was stowed away out of sight. A notice of it appeared
ill the " London Magazine " for 1747, the existence of the Maiden having
probably been brought to mind by the decapitation in London, by an
axe and block, of prisoners taken in arms in 1745. Pennant, in his
"Tour in Scotland." published in 1770, states thai he saw the machine
in a room under the Parliament House in Edinburgh.
20
THK " MAIDEN "
Extracts and Mkmobanda truu the City Tkkasurbk's Accounts
REFKItllINO to THE MaIOEN WHEN in usb.
[The following extracts might be greatly enlarged by a careful exami-
nation of the existing accounts. Those given are sufficient to illustrate
this communication, and only such of the extracts as were obviously
inaccurately copied, have been corrected by comparing them with the
original Registers. It would have required much time and labour to
have insured minute accuracy in memoranda, which in themselves are of
no great moment.]
From (he Discharge of " the Aceompl of Jhoun Watsoun Thesaurer to Ike
Toun of Edinburgh" from Martinmas 1565 to Martinmas 1566.
1565. Item the thrid day of Apryle to the pynouris for the bering of
dailies and pooucheoins fra the Blackfreirs to the Crooe with
tub oibbett and madin' to mak ane scaflTald, and awayiting
thairon, the day quhen Thome Scot was justefeitt, vij s.'
Item to ane wrycht for making of the Scaffald and doun-
taking thairof agane, .... viij s.
Item for nailes thairto, .... xxxij d.
Item for lymmar to hald the gibett fast, iij s.
Item to Andro Gottersoun, sniytb, for grinding of the Madin, v s.
1582. JuneS. TheLokman'charges forscbarping the Madin, vjs.viijd.
The lokman has iijd. to drink besides hie charge for towis
to skurge a man.
For banging Eraser, TurDbul](?), and Blak, . xvs. vjd.
For bringing the ladder to thame, viij d.
The lokman has to drink, vj d
At the same time for towis and wands to skurge twa tbeiffis, viij d.
1583. June 9. For ule and eaip to cresche the Madin with, vjs. viij d.
For scharpening the Madin, .... vjs.viijd.
' This is the first mention of the Maiden in the Town's Accounts after the items
of its original cust, printed at page 648. According to the Diurnal of Occurrents
(Bauuatync Club volume^ p. 98, Thomas Scott of Cambusmicbell was "haogit.
quurterit, nud drawin . . . upun auo skaffuJi at the Mercat Crucc of Edinburgh."
^ The Lokiuan, the name given to the public executioner.
OR SCOITISH BEIIEADINU MACHINE. 21
1583. June 9. Three faddomis of towis, is. ijd.
June 22. Gevin to the lokman for the keiping of the snap
of the Madin, and for ane barrel to put it in, . vj s. Tiij d.
Item for creisching and creiscb to it, ■ e. viij d.
Item for twa poks of bran to put about it, • Ij e. viij d.
1584. The Lokman's livery is thus mentioned—Doublet, shoes,
bonnet, coat of white and gray cloatb, hois, and a sark.
—The Lokman viij li. viij s. vj d. (£8,8s. 6d.) to get him
ane garmentt and ane staff.
1591. (The Maidin lent to Leitb).
William G-ibsone wha was tane and esecut in Leitb; for
careing of the Madin ther and hame agin, xxx e.
The Madin mendit, for wryghtwark & smythwark, xvs.
1600. Nov. 19. Item, payit for making the skaffauld to umquhUe
tbe Earle of Gowrie & his Brother, with scharpeing of
the axe, ..... xxiij s. iiij d.
Item, payit to aucht workmen for helping to mak the
skaffauld, with carrying of tbame thure and taking thame
to the burialls, .... xxxijs. viijd.
Item for ane barrell to salt the quarteris with salt
thereto, . . zij s. viij d.
Item payit the maissoun for making the hoillis to the
preikis (or sbarp-pointed irons) upon the heid of the
Tolbuithe, <kc., .... iiij li. ix s. iiij d.
Item payit to tbe lokman for the executing and putting up
of the heidis and quarteris, and towis tbairto, xxj s. iiij d.
1604. Dec. 1. Tbe Mudyn has two new posts and six pound weight
of lead.
1606. At tbe execution of John Thomson, for four fathoms towis,
for saip to it; and for mending of the Madin, vj s. viij d.
1608. (The Lokman himself was at this time banged; and there
are items for ryding to Dalkeith for ano hangman; and
to the hangman for bis pains. Also saip to her; the
first time tbe Maiden is called " her.")
1614. A new sneck to tbe Maiden.
1615. Item tbe vi. Feb. to the warkmen for making the scaffald to
the Erie of Orkney, .... iiijli. xs.
22 THE " MiUDEN "
1C15. Item for ane staine aud half puod lead to mend the
Maidin, ..... xxxts. vjd.
Item to William Melrose wrycht for his paines,. xxxvj s. vj d.
Item to the warkmen for waytiog on the skaffald, . x li.
Three items "for scharping the Maidin to byte."
1618. Sept. 18. Item for ten puncheons to be a ecafifold for Bos
the Minister at xv sk. the peice is, vii lb. x eh.
Item for gret towis and small, . . . xt sb.
Item for saip, . . ij s. viti d.
Item to the warkmen in drink, . . iiij sb.
Item to David Broune for making the scaflald, iiij lb.
Item to ane ordinar warkman for ane doubble scaHald
carying, ...... liii s. iiij d.
Item for carying the corps, . . . . xz sb.
Item for carying the axe, . . . visb. riiid.
Item to lokmao for putting the heidand hand on the port, xxsb.
Item for pricks to put the heid and hand on, . xii eh.
1619. Item to David Broune at the execution of twa Hielandmen
with the Maidin, at the hill, x li.
Item for x fadome of towis to the lokman, x li.
Item for vi fadome of small towis, iiij s.
Item for making of the grave, xxxvjs.
Item for xxi ells of hardin to be thair wyndin shett,
vii s. vi d. the ell, .... vij li. xvlj s. vj d.
Item to the wemen tliat wind thame, . xijs.
1633. Item to wrychts for setting of the Maidin twyce, to the
woman that was beidit at the Castlehill, . . ij 11.
Item to the lokman for hie paines tackin upon the woman
that was heidit, ..... iiij li.
1C47. For the Maidin ane ell of buckrame to kep [catch] the heid.
1649. James Wilson—payit to the workmen for holding of him
till he was execut, and for keiping bis heid. Ane ell of
bnckrame to keip the heid.
1660. To Alexander Davidsone for ane new axe to the Maidin,
and be is to mainteane it all the dayis of bis lyffe.
1680, A charge for heiding four men and &ve men, without any names.
OR SCOTTISH BEHEADING MACHINE.
23
Li«t ov the caibp Persons Bebeaoed by tub "Heidino Axe" or
"Madin," prou tub Ybab 1564-5 to 1710 (in addition to those
mentioned in tqe precedino ExTBACTS).
1565. April 3.—Tbomas Scott. See p. 552.
1565-6. Jan. 18.—Bobert Aitkyue—murder of John Bobertsone in
Aberdeen. Beheaded at the Market Cross of Edinburgh. P.
1567. Sept. 4.—James Adamson—piracy. Cross. Birrel.
Not. 5. Peter Hamilton—incest and murder. Cross. Birrel.
1569. Nov. 18.—John Leyis—treason, theft, spulzie. Castlehill. P.
1570. Dec. 1.—Jok AUane, in Stow of Waddell—murder of George Kay,
smith in Stow. P.
1571. June 14.—Jolm Hamilton, younger of Cocknoch—sieging Glas-
gow Castle. Cross. Birrel.
1576. Nov. 13.—George Bnintfield, alias "Cutluge"—slaughter of
George Inglis. P.
1580. Dec. 15.—Walter Lawder—murder of James Lawder, the Laird of
Bass, his master. P.
1580-1. Jan. 17.—George Adam, mason—murder of Andrew Cunning-
ham of Forresterhill and of John Wallace. Castlehill. P.
1581. June 2.—James Earl of Morton—comprising the murder of King
Henry (Datnley) in the year 15G8. Cross. P.
1587. Aug. 30.—Thomas Bonkle, cutler—murder of Peter Heriot in
Leith. P.
1587-8. Jan. 23.—Archibald M'Brair—slaughter of Archibald Newell,
Dumfries. Cross. P.
1591. Sept. 11.—William Gibson—murder of James Brown, Leitb.
T. A.
1592. Nov. 30.—John Colquhoun—murder of his brother, the Laird of
Luss. Cross. Birrel.
1592-3. Feb. 12.—Captain John Gordon—for assisting the Earl of
Huntly to murder the Earl of Murray at Donibristle. Cross.
Birrel.
Feb. 17.—David Graham of Fintry — Popish plot. Cross.
Birrel.
'2i the " maiden "
1595. July 19.—James lones, Laird of Invermarkie, and bis man—
partakers in the slaughter of the Earl of Murray and Patrick
Dunbar in Donibristle. Birrel.
Not. 25.—John Glaidstaois, herald—murder of John Purdie,
herald. Cross. Birrel.
1596. Aug. 7.—Gilbert Pacock, servant to the Master of Orkney—art
and part of the murder of Harry Colville, persoun of Urqubart
[Orphir]. Cross. P.
1597. April 11.—Patrick Cunningbame, servant to David Edmonstoune
of Burnbouse—murder of George Prestoun of Haltrie. P.
July 23.—Andrew Bewill, webster in Corstorphine—murder of his
sone, " a borne of xij yeir auld." Castlebill. P.
1598-9. Feb. 13.—Alexander Spens, weaver in Cruickston—murder of
John Donald, weaver there. Castlebill. P.
1599. Mar. 28. George Battray, servitour to the Laird of Craigliall, and
Thomas Lathreis, cberurgeon in Perth—slaughter of William
Hay, younger of Gourdie. Cross. P.
1600. June 10.—Eobert Auchmoutie, cherurgeane—slaughter (in duel)
of James Wauchope, younger of Cieghom. Cross. P.
July 4.—Jean Livingstone—murder of her husband, John Ein-
caid of Warristoun. Girth Cross, Canongate. P.
1600. April 27.—James Wod—breaking into and stealing his father's
title-deeds from Bonyloun House. Cross. Birrel.
Dec. 15.—William Cunningbame of Tourlands—slaughter and
treason. Cross. Birrel.
Dec. 26.—Andro Trumbill—murder of Thomas Ker in Jedburgh.
P.
1602. Jan. 23. — Thomas Jak — slaughter of Alexander Moncur,
" woundit him in the heid, and claif his hame-pan with
swordis, and thairby slew him." Cross. P.
July 4.—Patrick Stewart of Innervak—murder of Angus Dow
M'Ewir, bis servant. Cross. P.
1603. June 30.—Joseph Bonkle—slaughter of William Locke in Dun-
bar. Cross. P.
July 14.—John Macgregor—slaughter of the Colqubouns. Castle-
hill. P.
OK SComSH BKIIKADINd MACHINE.
25
1003. Sept. 23.—Johji Jolinetone of Lochwood—slaughter, robbery, &c.
Cross. Birrel.
1604. Jan. 12.—George Meldrum, younger of Dumbreck—treason und
other crimes. Cross. Birrel.
1605. Mar. 15.—Alexander Chene—perjury, cruel oppression. Cross. P.
June 18.—John Waterstooe—slaughter of William Thomson.
Castlehill. Birrel. MS.
July 26.—William Boise of Dunskeith—murder of his wife, and
other crimes. Cross. P.
lOiKS. Jan.—Laurence Man, the boy (16 years of age) who slew James
Young a player at cards and dice in the kirk. Castlehill.
Birrel, and T. A.
Dec. 19.—William Butherfurd—slaughter of Thomas Bell. Castle-
hill. P.
1007. Nov. 6.—John Forbes, brother of William Forbes of Corsindae—
murder of William Brown. Cross. P.
1608. Feb. 23.—William Keith younger of Auchqubirsk—slaughter of
Thomas Colstouii in Bruntisland. Cross. P.
Mar. IS.—John Swan—murder of George Clarkesun, merchant,
Dunbar. Cross. P.
Aug 12.—James Hamilton of Spittelscheill—murder, stealing,
and other crimes. Castlehill. P.
1609. Aug. 9.—Thomas Jardine of Birknock—murder. Cross. P.
Nov. 22.—John Stewart, son of James Lord of Doun—murder.
Cross. P.
1611.—Peter Weir—slaughter of John Hamilton—burgess of Edinburgh.
Castlehill. P.
July 17.—John Mure of Aucbindrane and bis son—murder of Sir
Thomas Kennedy and William Dalrymple in Ayr. P.
1612. Mar. 13—Alexander Frenche and James Wicbt—murder. Castle-
hill. P.
1613. May 19.—John Weir and bis brother—slaugliter. Cross. P.
May 21.—John Lord Maxwell of Caerlaverock—slaughter of the
Laird of Johnstone. Life of King James VI. 381.
Dec. 1.—Bobert Erskine, tutor of Dun—murder, by poison, of bis
two nephews. Cross. P.
26
IHE '• MAIDEN "
1614. June 27.—Ittabell and Ann Erekine, dauglitera of John Enkine,
younger of Dun—murder, by poison, of tbeir two nephews.
Cross. P.
1615. Feb. 1.—Patrick Earl of Orkney—tretuson. Cross. P.
Fob. 14.—John Maxwell—slaughter of John M'Cullocb, merchant,
Kirkcudbright. Cross. P.
Mar. 8.—James Orr—slaughter at Cramond. Cross. P.
May 30.—John Brand, student in the College, Edinburgh—
slaughter of William King, the natural of James King, advu-
cate. Cross. P.
June 10.—Alex.Davidson—murderofhisson-in-law. Castlehill. P.
1616. Nov. 13.—Robert Robertson—slaughter. Castlehill. P.
IC18. Mar. 18.—Robert Symmer younger of Bulzordie-slaughter of
the son of Orabame of Leuchland. Cross. P.
June 20.—James Stewart younger of Kilpatrick—slaughter.
Castlehill. P.
Aug. 20.—Mr Thomas Boss (the minister) younger of Craigie—
forging an infamous pa6<)uil. Cross. P.
1619. Jan 29.—John Swyne—slaughter in Menstrie. Castlehill. P.
April 2.—John Maxwell of Garrarie and bis son—murder of John
M'Kie of Glassock. Cross. P.
Dec. 8.—John Moitt, Newbsttle—murder of his wife. Castle
hill. P.
1C20. Jan 21.—John Duncan, baker, Duddingstone—slaughter of John
Buchanan, baker, Canongate. Castlehill. P.
Feb. 25.—James Reocbe—borse-stealing. Castlehill. P.
April 20 —Thomas Dempster of Muresk—forgery. Caetlehill P.
Nov. 17.—James Mure—slaughter of John Weir in Dalroahoy.
Cross. P.
Dec. 1.—John Brown, tailor—slaughter in Crawfurdtoun. Cross. P.
1621. July 19.—Henry Baird, Mill of Meckard—slaughter. Castle-
bill. P.
1622. April 23.—John and Duncan Cameron—guilty of being at the
battle of Glenfruin " aught year syne." Castlehill. P.
1024. Jan. 5.—James Gilbraith in Lekkie—slaughter. Cross. P.
Nov. 19.—Jaffray Irving of Robgili—incest. Cross. P.
OK SCOTTJSU BEIIKADING MACHINK.
27
1G28. Nov.—A man wh<i slew bie daughter. T.A.
ir>20. Aug. lO.-'Heury Dick—inceat and adultery. Cross. MS.
Sept. 30.—Alex. Blair, tailor Id Currie—iocest with " bis Grst
wife's half-brother's daughter." Cross. MS.
16.31, Peh.l2.—TbomasDavidsoti,tailor—incestandmurder. Cross. MS.
Mar. 31.—Msrioo Asteio, Bruntisland—adultery. Castlehill. MS.
1632. Feb. 5.—Sir Michael Preston—slaughter. Crosy. MS.
1633.—A woman beidet in the Castlehill. T.A.
1638. Dec. 28.—William Scott, younger of Heriotmuir—murder of bis
^ wife, 4 years ago. MS.
July 28.—John Stewart-^leasmakiog against the Earl of Argyle.
Cross. MS.
July 31.—William Fraser, Fraserburgh—murder. Cross. MS.
1643. June 2.—Janet Embrie—incest with two brothers. Cross. MS.
July 24.—Sir John Gordon of Haddo and John Logie—treason.
Cross. MS.
1646. May 28.'~-Margaret Thomson, wife of Robert Murray, minister at
Balmacieiland—adultery. Castlebill. MS.
16-19. May 21.—John Dick, weaver in Cambusbarron, and his wife—
murder of the husband's brother, in their own house. Castle-
hill. MS.
March22.—George,secondMarquessofHuntley—treason. Cross. L.
Dec. 20.—James Wilson, coalgrieve at the Heugb of Bonbard—
incest, committed al>out 36 years ago. Castlebill. kIS.
16... April 27.—James Strang, in Clydesdale, and Janet Strang bis
brother german's daughter—incest. Castlehill. MS.
July 20.—Brymer, workman—incest. Castlehill. MS.
Dec. 30.—Grissel Hamilton—adultery and returning after having
been banished. Cross. MS.
1650. March 5.—William M'Crie, trooper—rape. Cross. MS.
May 29.—Sir John Horrie and Capt. John Spotswoode, officers to
the Marquess of Montrose—treason. Cross. Balfour.^
> [Montroao himaelf, us a greater mark of indignity, vat han/jedoik "a high new
giillows " at the Cross. Mr Napier, in his Memoirs of Montrose, vol. ii. p. 798, baa
printed the various items preserved in the Town Treasurer's Accounts, 18th May
ti) &th Juno IC50. connected with his execution.]
28
THB "MAIDKN."
1650. June 4.—Sir William Hay of Dalfjftty and Colonel Williuui
Sibbald—treason. Cross. Balfour.
June 21.—Capt. Alex. Charters, assisting Montrose—(reason.
Cross. N.
1061. May 27.—Archibald, brst Marquess of Argyle—alleged treason.
Cross. N.
1064. May 4.—Captain Swintowne—murder of his wife. Cross. L.
1674. June 14.—-Archibald Beatli, minister at Arran, and Donald
Macgibbon, his servant—slaughter of Allan Gardiner, mer-
chant in Irving. Cross. M.S. Fount.
Dec. 25.—Andrew Rutberfurd—murder of the brother of Douglas
of Cavers. Cross. M.S. Fount.
1678. Sept. 27.—James Learmonth—murder. Grassmarket. Fount.
July 19.—James Gray—murder (in duel). Grassmarket. Fount.
1679. Nov. 12—Christian Hamilton, wife of Andrew Nimmo—murder of
Lord Forrester in Corstorphiue. Cross. Fount.
1682. Aug. 4.—James Douglas—murder of bis step-brother. Cross.
Fount.
1685. June .30.—Archibald 9th, Earl of Argyle—treason. Cross. MS.
1094. Feb. 2.—Daniel Nicolson, writer, Edinburgh, and Marion Mux-
well, relict of David Prlngle, surgeon—adultery and forgery.
The woman was beheaded and the man hanged. MS.
1697. March 1.—Sir Godfrey M'Culloch—slaughter of William Gordon.
Cross. MS.
—The Roman letters at the end of the entries in the foregoing
List refer to the authorities quoted as follows:—
p.^Pitcaim's Criminal Trials.
T.A.—City Treasurer's Accounts.
Birrel.—Robert Birrer8Diary(I532-1605),in Dalyell'sFragments. 1798.
MS.—Collection of Trials in the Library of the Society of Antiquaries.
Balfour.—Sir James Balfour's Annals.
N.—Diary of John Nicoll (1650-1667). (Bannatyne Club, 1836.)
L.—Diary of Mr John Lamont (1649-1671), 1830.
Fount.—Historical Notices of Scottish Affairs, from the MSS. of Sir
John Lauder of Fountainbali. (Bannatyne Club.)
ACCOUNT OF EXCAVATIONS
AT
CAMBUSKENNETH ABBEY,
IN MAY 1S64.
NOTES
RELATING TO
THE INTERMENT OF KING JAMES THE THIRD
AND HIS QUEEN IN THE ABBEY CHURCH.
READ TO THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND
12TH DErcjiuEii 18CI.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBUSKENNETH ABBEY
IN MAY 1864. By Colonkl Sir JAMES E. ALEXANDER, K.C.L.S.,
F.S.A. Soot., &c. (Plate IV.)
The Abbey of Cambuskenneth, founded in 1147 by David I. of Scot*
land, stood on a peninsula of the river Forth, and little more than a mile
in a direct line from the town of Stirling. A ferry requires to be crossed
to reach the remains of the venerable pile.
So complete has been the destruction of the Church of St Mary of
Cambuskenneth by tlie disciples of John Knox in lo59, that its site was
now found to be quite covered with greensward, where cows grazed. A
whitC'Washed cottage and some old elms were on the south side, and
behind them the walls of an extensive orchard. On the cast was the
winding river. In the centre of the 6eld appeared a mound slightly
raised, and on it some thorn bushes: here, it was conjectured, stood the
high altar, for west of it was a broken arch, forming now the entrance
to a small enclosed cemetery in which are the tombstones of a few of the
people of the district. This arch, pointed, enriched with deeply cut
mouldings, the capitals of broken shafts and trellis carving, was evidently
the principal or western door of the church. The width is six feet
between the jambs.
Near the arch, but quite detached from the church, there yet stands
the campanile or belfry tower, a remarkable object in the landscape. It
is square, thirty-seven feet each face, substantially built of hewn stone;
is seventy feet in height, strengthened with Anglo-Norman pilaster but-
ACCOUNT Ol-' EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBUHKBNNETH ABBEY.
3
tresses, and provided witb pointed Gothic windows, soipe of them built up.
A handsome blank arcade of six pointed arches and slender shafts faces the
town; above this, and projecting from the battlements, are the remains
of a stone figure, now decapitat<'d. The oldest inhabitant," a fisher-
man, James Matbie, said be remembered when the head fell to the
ground, and the name the figure went by was *' Maggie Teuch" (tough 1).
It was evidently a gurgoyle or waterspout. The rows of corbels under
the parapet seemed to have been ornamented with rude masks.
On the north-west angle of the tower is an elegant octagonal turret,
containing a stair which conducts to the top of the building. The turret
is capped and provided with gablettes, like those seen on the Glasgow
cathedral, of the same date. The low and flat arch of the entrance is
surmounted by a triangular projection. On the apex is a fieur de lit.
A canopied niche is over the door, on opening which a well-preserved
groined roof is observed. In the centre of the roof is a large circular
aperture, up which the bells were passed. The square openings for
ringing the bells are at the sides of the groined roof, and the marks of
the ropes are still upon them.
The view from the top of the tower is extensive and varied. "Grey
Stirling," with its castellated rock, the favourite residence of many of
the Scottish kings; the fields of Bannockbiirn, Sauchiebum, and Falkirk;
the Abbey Craig, beneath wliich the heroic Wallace fought for the
liberties of his country tlie battle of Stirling; the grand solemn Ochit
range; the majestic Grampians, and tlie sinuous course of the noble
Forth, afford a rich treat to the admirers of one of the richest scenes in
Scottish landscape. Now also an additional interest arises from being
able to trace from the parapet of the abbey tower the foundations of the
cruciform edifice beneath.
The Wallace monument on the summit of the Abbey Craig, when com-
pleted with its lantern or diadem top, keeper's house, and courtyard, will
reflect great credit on the architect, Mr Rochead.
To the north-east, and near the river's bank, are the remains of a
building with lofty ruined walls, called the " Dovecot" or pigeon-bouse
and where probably was the Mospicium for the reception and entertain-
ment of strangers.
After the accession of James VI. to the English throne, the tempo-
4 ACCOlTfT i)F EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBl'SKENN'PTH AUBEV.
rulities of CHiDbuskeniicth were bestowed oi) John, ICjirl of Mar, by whom
the barony of the abbey was conferred on liia brother, Alexander Erskine
of A)vn, and in whose family it remained till 1709, when it was purchased
by the Town Council of Stirling for the benefit of Cowan's Hospital. It
IS highly desirable, then, that means be taken by the trustees of the
Hospital to repair and point what yet remains of the ancient edifice, to
cut out the trees which are destroying the belfry tower, and remove the
unseemly stones and bricks which block up some of the pointed ^vi^dows;
to clear the foundations inside and outside, and repair the floors of the
different stories.'
In the Cliartulavy of the Abbey tlie orchards are particularly referred
to, and appear to have been bequeathed to the monasteiy by several of
tbe monks; and one garden is termed "Paradise." The orchards still
remain on two sides of tho abbey, and have been long celebrated for their
delicious pears, apples, and " geans."
The Chartulary of Cambuskenneth, substantially bound and em>
bellisbed with various illuminations, and provided also with a great
seal, is in the possession of (he Advocatos Library, Edinburgh. It was
transcribed on vellum in the year 1535, at the instance of the Abbot,
Alexander Myln, from original documents which were decaying from
the damp situation of the Abbey. Water appears on its site at the deplli
of four or five feet.
Due west from the abbey was the original ferry : it is now some dis-
tance higher up the Forth. In carrying off the large bell, it was sahl a
mysterious figure appeared at the stern of the boat, which suddenly upset,
and (he bell has ever since remained in the bed of the river. It could be
easily dredged for during the summer months. Its recovery would bo
liighly interesting. In an old print of (he abbey a chapel appears near
the ferry, and provided with a Norman arch, whilst the other orches that
now appear are the Anglo-Norman of the twelfth century.
In visiting lately the valuable collection of Scottish antiquities at
Duufennlliie, collected by Mr Paton, fatlier of the eminent painters of
that name, I saw, among clocks from the palaces of Linlithgow, Falk-
laud, and Stirling, beautifully carved and inlaid cabinets from the same,
This ia new being executed under tlic intelligent direction of Mr W. Mackison,
C.E., F.S.A. Scot., 1805.
ACCOUNT OF EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBUSKENNETH ABBEY.
5
antique chaire, original paintings, &c. (all which should be catalogued
and minutely described), there was the alms-box of the monastery of
Cambuskennetb, found some years ago among the ruins. It is a square
box of iron with Gothic ornaments, and is well preserved. Keys were
found near it. I have in my possession a singular stone, said to be from
Cambuskenneth. It was for some years at Alloa, then at Menstrie
House, probably when possessed by the Alexanders, Barons of Monstrie.
I obtained it after much negotiation from an old woman of the name
of Mnir, whose husband bad built it into the front of his cottage at
Menstrie. It is a foot square, and from the ingeniously entwined letters
on its face the word " Cambuskennetb " can be made out.
It was conjectured by Mrs Coulson of Timsbury Hall, Bath (who care-
fully copied the stone), that the letters are an imitation, not of an entire
brass monogram, but of letters cut in brass and fastened to a cross of
hide, of which the centre is supported by a square of wood below, to
form a further relief for the deeply square cut letters.
It will be remembered that the unfortunate James III. of Scotland
married an amiable and beautiful Danish princess, Margaret of Olden-
burg, by whom were the Duke of Itntbesay, afterwards James IV., and
the Princes Alexander and John. After the revolt of the nobles, Queen
Margaret sickened and died, and was buried before the high altar at
Cambuskennetb. King James, after bis fatal Bight from Saucbieburn,
bis fall from his noble grey charger presented to bim by Lord Lindsay of
the Byres—which, alarmed at the noise made by a pitcber dropped from
the hand of a frightened woman, swerved, and threw the king heavily
—and after his cruel assassination by a pretended priest at Milton or
Beaton's Mill, was also buried next bis queen, aud with due ceremony,
at Cambuskennetb. " Ane sweete youth," a royal prince, was also buried
there, according to the M'Farlane manuscript in the Advocates' Library.
Yet another remarkable royal personage, no other than Richard II. of
Bngland, is believed by many to have found a final resting-place at
Cambuskennetb, and that after his deposition be was not murdered by
steel or poison at Pontefract Castle, but made his escape from it,
wandered to the Hebrides, where be was entertained by Macdonald,
Lord of the Isles; from thence he was transferred to Stirling Castle, in
which he resided eighteen years, and was buried at the Abbey.
B
6
ACCOUNT OF EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBUSKENNETH ABBEY.
The accoraplishec] autlior, James Grant, says in one of Lis works:—
" Now none may say where James III. of Scotland and the Isles, or his
queen, Margaret of Oldenburg, arc lying, for the noble Abbey of St Mary
has been swept from its foundations (a great part of the stones were used
by an Earl of Mar to construct the strange ' wark' at the head of the
Broad Street of Stirling); one remnant alone survives, a lofty tower, and
though the country people still pretend to remember the royal grave, and
point it out to visitors, not a stone remains to mark the tomb of the mur-
dered monarch, for the place is now a bore greensward."
The author of a Journey through Scotland in 1723 says he saw the
grave of King James III. under a hawthorn tree at Cambuskeoneth.'
It had been suggested to the Trustees of Cowan's Hospital that it wouhl
he desirable to ascertain where the body of James III. lay, and bis Queen,
BO ns to treat tbe royal remains with proper respect, and enclose the
tombs, also to (race out tlie extent of the Abbey Church and explore
generally among the foundations. Tbe magistrates of Stirling, entering
into this design, and the sanction of tbe Crown having also been secured,
on the 2d May 1864, twelve workmen were placed under tbe charge of
Bailie Hatiken, treasurer of the Town Council of Stirling, a gentleman
of good ta.ste and ability, who had for years been most usefully employed
in superintending public works in and about Stirling.
The following gentlemen were on the ground at the Abbey at the
beginning of the excavations:—Provost Murie, Bailies Monteath and
Yellowlees; Treasurer Rankeo ; Councillors Davidson and Christie; Rev.
Dr Beith, Rev. Paul Maclauchlan ; Dr Duncanson, Alloa; MrWallaco,
Alloa; Colonels Nugent, Boldero, and Sir J. E. Alexander; and Mr
Rnchcad, architect. Among those from Edinburgh were Mr Matheson, of
H.M. Board of Works; and, as representing the Society of Antiquaries, Mr
David Laing, Mr John M. Mitchell, Belgian Consul, and Mr Andrew Kerr.
The excavators were divided into two parties, and what is singular,
I Mr Duvid Lning luentioncd (o mc tliat the late Mr Adam 6. Ellis, W.S., told
him an old inhabitant at the Abbej ha<l pointed ont, many years ago, the mound
near such a tree, UD<ler which the King was buried. Mr Ellis, who imagined he
might still recognise the spot, had long expressed a desire that the place should l>o
explored ; hut at this time ho was altogether nnablc to accompany the depntation
from Edinburgh.
ACCOUNT OF EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBU8EBNNETH ABBEY.
7
though there wae not a stone of the church and the adjacent buildings
to be seen when the work commenced, but merely undulations on the
surface of the ground, owing to some judicious directions, the men had
not dug more than half-an-hour before one of the parties came upon the
site of the high altar—^a square enclosure of masonry—and the other on
the transepts.
In the earth, above which had stood the high altar, wae found the
body of a youth lying across the enclosure, the head in a recess. Beneath
this, and longitudinally, lay a 6ne skeleton of a yellowish colour, pro-
bably that of an ecclesiastic. The bones were carefully put aside for
re-interment, and I had them photographed by Mr Crowe of Stirling.
(These photographs were exhibited to the meeting.)
The church and chapter-house, with the base of a central pier to sup-
port an arched roof, were now traced out; the scalloped capital of the
pier or pillar was found. The bases of some of the piers of the church
were in good order, and the clayey soil had so well preserved the founds-
tion stones that they appeared sharply cut as if recently laid.
The length of the church, from the high altar inclusive to the western
door, was ascertained to be 178 feet, breadth 37 feet.
On the south are the foundations of a long building, near one of the
orchards. This may possibly have been the Parliament House. At
Cumbuskenneth, in 1326, the nobility, barons, and clergy assembled in
solemn Parliament along with a great number of persons of inferior
rank, and swore fealty to David Bruce as heir apparent to tho throne.
" This," says Tytler, " was the first Scottish Parliament, as far as can be
ascertained, into which the representatives of cities and burghs were ad-
mitted as members." Here various of the Scottish monarcfas granted
charters and the Scottish Parliament repeatedly assembled.
In the course of the excavations, coins of the Jameses and Charleses
were found; three keys—one large enough to have been the key of the
west door; knives, razors, pieces of pottery (Dutch, probably)—one
piece with a curious dog's head on it; tobacco pipes (similar to some I
had seen at the Bass Bock, supposed to have been used by the soldiers of
the guard there); portions of stained glass from the eastern window;
broken stone shafts and capitals of pillars of the twelfth century; a brass
shoe-buckle; a brass chess-knigbt (the horse's head well defined); stone
8
ACCOUNT OF EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBU8KENNBTB ABBEY.
whorls for the dlBtafr - a small glass bottle; a carious iron instrument, 14
inches long, of unknown use, with prongs, though certainly not a fork.
(Sketches of these various articles were exhibited.) It will interest the
curious in these matters, when all the reliquia are laid out for inspec-
tioD in a chamber of the belfry tower.
At one of the angles of the chapter-house, in which the seJilia or bench
tables are well preserved, is the figure of a mediaeval sword. This is in
a strange position, as if the stone on which it is carved bad been over the
tomb of a warrior in some other part of the grounds, and the slab re-
moved and made use of as a comer-stone of the chapter-house.
A fine stone coffin was found near the south transept (might this have
been that of Richard II. ?), and over it three massive blocks of stone. On
lifting these a skull was seen, but at the foot of the stone coffin, showing
that the dead had been previously disturbed. There was a large beam
of black oak under the stone coffin, and others squared and resting on
piles, to prevent the foundations falling in, for at no great depth water
is found here, and the clay had well preserved the timber. Some of the
logs have been raised and can be turned to good account, as the proceeds
of their sale for souvenirs of the ancient edifice may help to enclose the
foundations. It is proposed to make chairs for the Provost and Dean
of Guild of Stirling of this oak.
Between the high altar and the thorn tree a slab of coarse blue
marble or mountain limestone lay under the soil, it was in a slanting
position as if disturbed formerly; one corner of it was broken off, and
it was also cracked across. What remained of the slab measured about
five feet square and seven inches thick. It bad a hewn margin, and was
hewn as a panel across its rough face. This was the usual royal tablet
stoue seen at Dunfermline, Dunblane, &c.' On close inspection bat-
holes were seen with lead in them, these had held the monument^ brass
of which two portions were found, the one with the figure of a flower on
it, the other marked with cross lines; the larger portion with the inscrip-
tion hod been torn off and removed.
It was resolved to look for a vault under the slab. It was accordingly
* Lately blue inoantain limcetoDe haa been fou&d at the Abbey Craig; and (his
may bo the quarry wbich produced the royal slabs, aod the freestone there built
the old churches, which also is now empIoye<l for the Wallace Monutnont.
ACCOUNT OF EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBUSKENKBTH ABBEY. 9
raised, and on digging down a few feet a large oak eofBii was found, the
feet touching the enclosure of the high altar, the bead to the west.
Inside the coffin was a skeleton, doubtless of King James III. On
being exposed to the air most of the bones crumbled to dust, some
remained, fragments of the skull and of the lower jaw, two molar teeth,
thigh bones, &c. Moist clay surrounded the coffin, which bad preserved
it so long. The pieces of the coffin which remained showed the grain of
the wood—oak, and probably from the neighbouring Torwood. On the left
of the male bones were those of a female, also the bones of a child. The
three bodies bad been disturbed before, perhaps for the sake of any orna*
raents which had been buried with them. A small coffin ornament of
metal was found, in shape like a flower. The bones were carefully
placed aside for re-interment, and the tombs are to be enclosed.
In clearing out the fouodatiuns of Ibe cburcb great quantities of bones
were discovered, also on the south side of it, and about the chapter-
house. I took with me one day Colonel Monro, Bombay Army, and Br
Alex. Paterson of the Bridge of Allan, to examine some of these remains
previous to their being again committed to the earth. The remarks of
the latter gentleman are as follows
" I examined many of the relics found during the recent excavations.
A number of human skeletons were discovered, most of them in a state
of great decay. The bones in the meantime bad been carefully put into
boxes and deposited in the tower of the Abbey. By far the most in-
teresting set of bones are those of King James 111. Unfortunately the
only bone of the king found entire is the lower jaw, which is remarkable
on account of its large size,—only two molar teeth remain in the jaw.
The frontal part of the cranium is well preserved, and from the appear-
aoce of this part of the skull it shows that the king must have bad a
very low receding forehead.' The only other circumstance worthy of
* Historians say of James III. that in rude and warlike times he was unable to
control his turbulent nobles, whom he also vexed by secluding himself from thorn
and passing his time with urcliitocts, musicians, and astrologers, on whom he con-
ferred rank and distinctions. The highly interesting and valuablo description by
Mr David Laing vf tho altar screen now at Hulytood Paloco may be referred to for
the general appearance of the King and of Quoen Margaret. (See Proceedings,
vol. ill. p, 8.)
10 ACCOUNT OF EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBUSKBHNETH ABBET-
notice in regard to the bones of tbe king is, tbat they difTered in colour
from all the other bones found, those of the king being of a dark brown
tawny colour; this colour may have been produced by the decay of the
oak coffin. A number of entire skulls were found; a curious fact con-
nected with tbem is tbat in all of them the cranial cavity is filled with
clay in a solid condition ; the clay must have got into the skulls through
the action of the water."
I have bad casts taken of the cranium and lower jaw of the king by
Mr Barclay, the sculptor in Stirling; and also had an oaken chest made
to contain the royal remains, that they might be re-interred with every
respect.
Mr William Mackison, C.E., the town architect, Stirling, was in atten-
dance at the commencement of the excavations, and thus remarks on
the discoveries " When the walls of the north transept, part of the
chancel, and of the nave were exposed, the stone dressings, facings, and
cuttings were found in wonderful preservation, and the outlines very
decided. Two distinct base courses are particularly traceable in the
transept. The angle buttress is built over the remaining portion of the
original square one, and tbat part of the wall which is in the continua-
lion of the transept gable, and which forms the northern wall of what
is supposed to be the chapter-bouse of the last structure, is neither in
the proper line nor the original base over which it is built, uor with the
building of which it forms a part. Angle buttresses have been always
troublesome. ... In connection with the transept a small door is
noticed in the west side-wall, facing the belfry tower, built up closely
with dressed masonry.
" The walls have all been grouted most effectually, some places so
much 80 tbat it is with difficulty one can say whether be is not looking
on solid stone rather than a conglomerate mass. Many oyster shells
were dug up and river sand, and these shells seem to have been freely
used in the mortar and grouting."
Mr Mackison took accurate measurements of the buildings (and a
reduced copy of his plan is given in Plate IV.)
" Part of the nave wall exposed, towards (be small cemetery, is of good
design ; the stone seats and bases of four of the side piers are to be seen,
ACX30UNT Q¥ EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBUSKENNETH ABBEY. U
giving a good idea of what the appearance of the interior muet have been.
The mouldings, trefoil in outline, of the shaft column bases are in fair
preservation. The south wall of the nave has been traced west to the
wall which surrounds the burial enclosure, and from what the grave-
digger stated the bases of pillars (or piers) are also to be seen in the
grave-jard. The enclosure at the high altar is formed by dressod stones,
having a check for covers much decayed."
A casual observer may not remark a massive pinnacle with a flnial like a
human head which no doubt belonged to the old church; it is now placed
on its end on the south wall of tlie grave-yard; it has a very weather-
beaten appearance, still, however, retaining its original form.
Mr Bochead, the architect of the Wallace Monument, Ac., in a com-
munication to Mr J. M. Mitchell, F.S.A. Scot., Belgian Consul-General,
thus writes:—"The area of the building at Cambuskennetli, as far as dis-
closed to our view on the first day of the excavations, is of the most in-
teresting description, and exlubits the splayed base lines of the north side
of the abbey, being perfectly sbarp and fresh as when built, and of an early
though somewhat curious character. By the insertion of the ovolo, a
curved character of the upper member (A) of the splay base, the roll
moulding (B) just above is a very couclusive evidence, along with the
other parts below, of early pointed work, having fjuite a different
character, so to speak, from that known as early English pointed Gothic.
The Cambuskenncth Abbey ruins, as indeed I will venture to say from
my intimate acquaintance with Continental pointed architecture, partake
of the French model largely, as indeed does the whole ecclesiastical
architecture of our country; hence the blending of the baronial character
in our abbeys and churches; and in illustration of this fact 1 would point
to Stirling High Church, parts of Dunfermline Abbey, Inchcolme Abbey
and Monastery (Firth of Forth), and the deeply interesting remains of
Inchmahorae Priory or Monastery, founded 1328, at Port of Mod-
teath; and let me add one other instance, the old church of Linlithgow,
as strongly corroborative examples of homogeneity of style of French
example and extraction.
" The base lines of CambuskenDetb Abbey are from three to three feet
six inches high, and so fresh are the surfaces of the stone splayed faces,
12 ACCOUNT OF EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBUSKENNETH ABBET.
that they carry the incised masonic marks of the artisan who cut and
fashioned the stone, as perfectly as if done but yesterday.
" At our first visit portions of the great stools of the piers that carried
or may have carried an imposing tower and spire were uncovered, exhibit-
ing a very peculiar formation and character of base moulding, in most
excellent preservation, section and plan thus (see Plate IV., No. 2); the
base moulding above is all that is left, that is, so far as was uncovered
at the first visit.
" The pavement of the area of the nave was partially laid bare, and near
it we discovered the section line of some four or five steps, leading from
the nave of the western portion of the abbey into the choir, close to the
entrance of which stands what seems to have been U'magnificcDt sepulchral
vault, the cell of which, roughly speakiug, may be about from seven to
eight feet long, by four feet broad or thereby, having thick walls all round,
carefully built, and throwing projections out from these lines of walls
as if light buttresses had formed a portion of the design of the elaborate
shrine that undoubtedly must have surmounted the whole tomb ; if we
are to judge from the large moss of fragmentary and smaslied-up heaps
of foliated capitals, and six-inch diameter shafting, moulded bases and
mid-shaft clasps that were dug up all around the fine tomb, out of which,
and at about three or four feet deep (from base lines of tomb), was exca-
vated the remains of at least one male skeleton having a finely developed
skull, thigh hones, Ac., all in a high state of preservation. Near to or
around this tomb were found some four or five elongated encaustic tiles,
red and blue, and yellow glazed, say about eight or nine inches long, five
inches broad, by one and three quarters of an inch thick.
" A specimcu of fragmentary stained glass, bearing marks as if partially
fused by fire, was found, likewise a silver sixpence of the time of Edward
II., on the morning of our visit. I hope stiU further to see the progress
and to witness the finish of this most interesting work of research and
discovery."
Finally, it is gratifying to know that Her Majesty's Government and the
Trustees of Cowan's Hospital will cause these most interesting fouuda-
tions to he enclosed, and the ruyal tombs preserved from desecration. It
might be useful also to run asphalt over the remains of the walls, and
ACCOUNT OF EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBUSKENKETH ABBKY.
13
paint with oil the delicate carved work to prevent injury from the weather.
After more trenching, but without disturbing the bones, the area of the
building might be covered with sand or gravel to keep down the gross.
Mr Joseph Sobbrtson suggested a doubt whether there was any evi-
dence to show that either the Abbey or most of our ecclesiastical buildings
had been ruined by Knox and bis followers, as stated in the paper.
In this view he was supported by Professor Stevenson and other
Members.
View of Benton's Mill, where King Jnmes III, was slain.'
Mr Laino said, that having prepared some notices connected with the
interment of King James III. aud his Queen at Cambuskennetb, be
would submit them to the present mcetiug, us u suitable addition to Sir
James Alexander's very interesting communication.
' SfO ijotico of the houso 011 the ftilhiwiiig pago.
14:
ON THE INTERMENT OF JAMES III. OF SCOTLAND.
II.
NOTES IlELATINQ TO THE INTERMENT OF KING JAMES III. OF
SCOTLAND AND OF HIS QUEEN, MARGARET OF DENMARK, IN
THE ABBEY CHURCH OF CAMBUSKENNETH. By DAVID LAlNG,
Esq., Foreign Secbetaiiv op the Society.
Eiog James III. vyas slaiu on tbe lltb of Jime 1468, Id tbe 28th
year of bis reign and 35th of bis age. Nimmo, in bis "History of
Stirlingshire," says, " tbe place where this barbarity was committed
is well known in that neighbourhood by the name of Beaton's-miln,
said to be so called from the person who at that time possessed it;
it is yet standing, though now converted into a dwelling-house, new
and more commodious milos having been erected near it. The lower
parts of its walls are still tbe same which received tbe unfortunate
James. Tbe stones wear tbe marks of antiquity, being much mouldered
by tbe weather in the course of so many ages."' A view of the
house is represented in tbe drawing by Sir James Alexander (see wood-
cut at p. 25); it stands on tbe east side of Saucbie Burn. According
to Buchanan's statement,* tbe king's interment took place in Cambns-
kenuetb Abbey on the 25th of that month; and this statement is repeated
by other historians. The mere circumstance that Sauchiehurn, where the
King was slain, is within a few miles of Cambuskenneth, would have bad
but little influence in selecting that Abbey as the place of bis sepulture
in preference to the Abbey of Holyrood, where his father, James II., was
interred, or to Trinity College, Edinburgh, the burial-place of his mother,
Mary of Gueldres, but was undoubtedly owing to the fact that his Queen,
Margaret of Denmark, had previously been buried at Cambuskenneth.
Notwithstanding the silence of most of our historians, it is quite
certain that Queen Margaret predeceased her husband, probably in the
town of Stirling. In the contemporary chronicle of James Gray (fol. 22),
' History, &c., p. 230; Edinb. 1777. Second edition, p. 250; Stirling, 1817.
2 *'Ea igitur consultatione dilata, Edinbiirgum cunt. Ibi certiores de inorto
Ri'gis focti, funus ft amjiliiuimiim faeitndum ctiraul, ad Cammukmnrthum, Cu-nobiuiii
Slerlino vicinum, ad vicemmum qnhUum dirm vievtit Junij." (IIi«t. lib. xiii.)
ON THE INTERMENT OF JABIES III. OF SCOTLAND. 15
we find this brief notice: —" Obitus Mergarite Hegine Scotie apud
Striuelin, I™ iiij« Ixxxvi." In like manner, Drummond of Hawtbomden
eaye, " Margarite the Queen about these times, a good and virtuous lady,
died 1486, and was buried at Cambuskynnel the 2dtb of February."'
This would be the year 1486-7, which, as Pinkerton* remarks, was not
bissextile; but I find a reference to another authority, which gives the day
us the 27tb of February. The most remarkable proof, however, of the
fact is, the King's desire to contract a second marriage. On the 27th
of November 1487 an indenture was subscribed at Edinburgh^ by com-
missioneis of the two kingdoms for establishing a lasting peace; and
at the same time overtures were made for negotiating three marriages—
that of James III. himself with Queen Elizabeth, the widow of King
Edward IV. of England, and of Prince James of Scotland (afterwards
James IV.), and bis brother, the Duke of Ross, with two of the daughtem
of the same English sovereign. But not one of these alliances was
fated to take place. It is farther evident that during his reign James
himself had appointed a chaplain to sing masses for Queen Margaret.
On the 3d of August 1488, the Treasurer paid " To a Prest callit Scliir
Thomas Mersell that sang for the Qxcene in Stirling, L.4 . 0 . 0." After
the king's death, James IV. appointed the same priest, Sir Thomas
Mcrschell, to perform this service, as expressed in the Treasurer's Ac-
couuts, "Item, to Schir Thomas Merschell that singis for the King and
Qwene in Cambuskynnell," and be continued till at least November
1507 to receive his half-yearly fee of L.6, 13b. 4d. Among other pay-
monts, 5b. was given " to the cobill mane (boatman) of Cambuskynnell
quhen the King past oure (crossed over)," the 27th April 1490; and
three days later, " Item, to the Abot of Cambuskynnell, be a precep of
the Kingis, that he lent to the King quhen he wes Prince, L.IOO.''
The Abbey of Cambuskenneth was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and
id usually assigned to the middle of the twelfth century. It was for
monks of the Augustine order; and from the first had received royal
patronage. The church of Kippun had been granted to the Abbey by
Walter, Eurl of Menteitb, and Alexander, his son and heir-apparent, for
' Drummond's History, p. 100. Lond. 16&5, folio.
2 Piiikcrtou's History, vol. i. p. 324, nolf.
^ Itymcr's Fwloru, vol. xii. p. 328.
16
ON THB INTERMENT OF JAMES III. OF SCOTLAND.
H&lvatioD uf their owD souls, aud of Matilda, the wife of the said Alex-
auder, aod for their sepulture appointed to be within the munastery.'
There is no date to this grant; but in coofirmiug this grant, on the
6th of April 1496, James IV. added clauses de novodamxu, which pre-
scribe the usual religious services for the salvation of the souls of his
own most noble father James III., and Margaret bis spouse, of happy
memory, whose bodies (it is added) rest m our said monastery of Cainbtu-
kenneth. The following are the words of the charter, as recorded in the
Register of tbe Great Seal, lib. xiii. No. 231
" Carta super Bectoria et Vicaria Ecclesie de Eippane et jure patrona-
tUB ejusdem alias data per Comitem de Menteth et nunc de uouo per
Begem Monasterio de Oambuskynneth et Cauonicis ejusdem."
After reciting tbe words of the original grant, with reference to tbe
burial of Alexander Earl of Menteitb and Matilda bis spouse within tbe
said monaster}', one of the clauses introduced is to this effect:—
" Nos igitur in honorem Dei omnipoteutis prefateque gloriosissime
Virginia et matris sue Marie ac pro salute animarum quondam uobilis-
simorum Patris et Matris nostrorum Jucobi Tertii et Mergarite eius
sponse bone memorie, quibus propicietur Deus, yuorum corpora in dicio
nostro Monasterio re(piiescunt. Necnon orationum suffragiis pro nostris
Patre et Matre antedictis ac pro nobis et successoribus nostris imper-
pctuum fiendis Batificamue, approbauimus, Ac. Apud Striueling sexto
die mensis Aprilis, anno Domini Millesimo quadragintesimo nonagesimo
sexto, et liegni nostri octauo."
The various paymeuts in the Treasurer's Accounts, of a subsequent
date, during the reign of King James the Fourth, having reference to
Oambuskeuneth, all clearly point to the erection of the lair or place of
sepulture within the monastery, not for his parents, but for the King
himself. The following entries may be quoted '
1501-2, March 15. Item to David Prat and the masounis that hewis tbe
lair in Cambuskinnethe, of drinksilver, . . xiiij*.
1502, June 7. Item, to the werkmen in Cambuskinneth, of drink-
silver, be the Kingis command, .... iijV
* Daiyvll's Auulysis of the Cliartularies of Cumbuskcunctli, &c.. |>. Editi.
la28, 8vo.
ON THE INTERMENT OF JAMES III. OF SCOTLAND.
17
1502, June 12. Item, giflin to Bavid Prat quhen he began the
laying of the lair in Cambuekinnetb, . . xiiij*.
1502, July 10. Item, in Cambuskinnethe to David Prat and the
roaBonnis that workis on the lair, be the Eingis command, xxviij*.
1502, December 20. Item, to David Pret to by colouris to the
Kiugie lair in Cambuskynneth, .... xxviij*.
1502 3, February 16. Item, to David Pret payntour in part of
payment of the making of the Kingis sepultur in Cambus-
kinneth, ....... xiiij lib.
1503, May 3. Item, to David Pret in part of payment of the
sepultur making in Cambuskinneth, . vj lib. xiij*. iiij''.
1508, July 5. Item, to the Alroanye (the Flemish or German artist)
that suld mak the Eingis lair in Cambuskinneth in marbill, xxviij*.
July 7. Item, to the Abbot of Tungland to gif the man
that suld mak the Eingis lair in Cambuskynneth, iiij lib. iiij*.
1511, November 10. Item, to the botesman of Cambuskynnel for
turning (carrying) the King our the wattir, . . iij*
(Same day.) Item, in Cambuskinneth to the masounis in drink-
silver, ....... xxviij*.
It may be added that Ferrerius, in his continuation of Hector Boece's
Chronicle, in recording the death of James III. in 1488, says, " Et ad
Cambuskynneth coenobium canonicorum S. Augustini regia pompa de-
latum sepulturae traditur : ubi et hodie tnmulus, in quo cum Begina
uxore sua conditur, magoifice olim extructus cernitur."'
The calamitous death of King James IV. at Flodden, in September
1513, aged 41, was the means of rendering unavailing hie purpose to have
had his resting-place in the tomb which had for many years been in pre-
paration. His body was carried to London, and treated with indignity,
although Henry VIII. in his letter to Pope Leo E., on the 12th October
bad signitied bis desire, on obtaining the sanction of bis Holiness, to
pay royal honour to his brother-in-law, by an interment within St Paul's
' Scntomm Hiatoria a prima Gentia origiae, Ac., p. 401. Paris. 1574, fulio.
18
ON THE INTERMENT OP JAMES III. OP SCOTLAND.
Church; but the Scottish King being under the ban of excommunica-
tion, this intention was neutralised, and his body was deposited in the
Abbey of Shene or Bichmond.'
The priest who succeeded Merschell to sing for James III. and his
Queen at Cambuskenneth was Sir James Inglis, apparently in the year
1508 or 1509.' He continued to hold this benefice for upwards of forty
years, as we learn from the Treasurer's Accounts. On account of his
advanced age, between the year 1550 and 1552, Inglis seems to have
resigned in favour of Sir Robert Paterson. The Reformation in 1560,
of course, put an end to all such religious services.
Postscript.
[The success which attended the operations of clearing out and tracing
the foundations of the Abbey of Cambuskenneth has been greater than
was anticipated. No discovery of articles of special antiquarian interest
has indeed been made, but it was of importance that the actual site, the
form, and dimensions of the buildings should, if possible, be ascertained,
as well as the precise spot where James the Third and his Queen were
interred. These points were hitherto quite conjectural, as the only visible
portions above ground were two detached objects, the upper part of an
arched doorway and the lofty tower. It remained, therefore, to be seen
what results might attend the exploring of the raised mounds covered
with greensward for the space of nearly three centuries.
1 have little to add to the details given in the preceding commnnica-
tion by Sir James Alexander: the portion of ground enclosed as a small
public cemetery unfortunately proves to have been the western part of
the nave of the Church, and this necessarily precluded any exploration
in that quarter. But by clearing away the earth on the exterior to the
' Duabar'a Poona (Supplement), vol. i. p. 281.
2 Dunbar's Poems (Notes), vol. ii. p. 894.—The Treasurer's Accounts from August
1608 to August 1511 are lost.
ON TBE INTERMENT OF JAMES III. OF SCOTLAND.
19
dopH> of about two feet, (ho original west door of the Church was brought
to light, exhibiting its Anglo-Norman character in its moulded shafts
and bases, thus materially serving to ascertain the form of the entire
building. The question also naturally arises. Where was the site of this
mausoleum erected by James IV. ? That it was an imposing structure
inside of the church cannot be doubted, and some indications still visible
clearly point out the place to have been in the nave, not far from the
south transept, which Mr Bochead has described at p. 24; and it seems
equally 'certain that this sepulchral vault bad been surmounted by a
splendid shrine. Such a structure being near the centre of the church,
might be one of the lirst objects destroyed, either in the hope of plunder
or of employing its rich materials elsewhere.
The Tkostees op Cowan's Hospit.vl, (o whom the property belongs,
have shown no ordinary degree of zeal and liberality in carrying on
these operations. As above stated by Sir James Alexander, they have
now resolved to enclose the whole of the ground, and by new pointing
and other repairs on the Tower, which has always been a picturesque
object, it will be secured from the injurious effects of the weather.
Such a liberal and patriotic spirit merits the praise of all true anti-
quaries.
Another fortunate result has likewise to be recorded. The Provost of
Stirling entered into a correspondence with the Home Secretary, on
the propriety of erecting some monument to commemorate the place of
royal interment. The Bight Honourable William F. CowrtR, Her
Majesty's First Commissioner of Public Works, having, upon inquiry,
satished himself that the site was now well ascertained by the discovery
of human remains in that part of the Abbey church where the High
Altar must have stood, he brought the matter under the Queen's notice i
and Her Majesty was graciously pleased to command that a suitable
Monument be erected. This is now nearly completed from a design
prepared by Mr Matiieson, of the Board of Works, Edinburgh (see
the annexed drawing). It is composed of beautiful freestone, about
4^ feet in height, 8 feet long, and 4| feet broad at the base, and 3 feet
at the top.
20
ON THE INTERMENT OE JAMES HI. OF SCOTLAND.
Tlie following inscription is cut on one siile the Monument: —
in this pi.ack, near to the ilion altar
of the abbbt of camdusernnktii,
were deposited the remains of
.TAMES THE THIRD, KING OF SCOTS.
who died the llth june 148s,
and o? his qdern
THE PRIXrESS MARGARET OF DENMARK.
On the other side :—
this restoration of the tomb of her ancestors
was executed bt command of
HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA.
A.D. 1865.
At one extremity of the moDumeot the Koyal Arms of Scotland (the
Red Lion on a field of gold) are sculptured, surmounted by a crown, and
supported by the unicoms, with the motto—In Defence.
At the other, the Royal Arms of Scotland impaled with those of
Denmark, surmounted by a crown, and surrounded by a wreath of thistles.
ON TUB INTKKMKNT OF JAMK8 III. OF SCOTLAND.
21
iL only remains to add that, on Saturday the 23d Septemhcr 1865,
according to the newspaper re^wrt, the Provost of Stirling, and various
other persons interested in the proceedings, assembled at the Abbey of
Cauibuskenneth, when the remains (as supposed) of King James III.
and his Queen were deposited under this monument. The following
extract from this report maybe added:—"The remains having been
carefully deposited in the recess of a sarcophagus, and the mason-work
of the tomb completed, Pbotost Murru: of Stirling briefly addressed
those present, to the eflect that they had now witnessed the re-interment
of James III. and his Queen in the sarcophagus and tomb ordered by
Her Majesty Queen Victoria—a memorial which did great honour to the
best feelings of Her Majesty. The structure was also highly creditable
to the skill and taste of the designer, Mr Matheson, of the Board of
Works, Edinburgh, and also to the contractor, Mr John Bhind of Edin-
burgh. From the beautiful situation of the memorial, and surrounded
as it was by so many historical associations, be (the Provost) bad no
doubt it would be a favourite attraction to the numerous strangers who
annually visit Stirling and its neighbourhood. The Provost then
thanked those present for their attendance, and the interesting proceed-
ings terminated. It may be added that the ground around the spot
is to be laid with gravel, and the whole enclosed with an elegant irou
railing." D. L.]
Proceeding's n£ tke Socie^ of A'cLquaries of Scotiazid.
Ve^e. T/ie four d^^/re^s of shade s/iotv I he
dif/ereeit periods of huildi/t^; /he
iicjfhlesty be^rt^ /bey obde.-^t^.
The letiers CU, b, &ia. reJhr to the neoct Tlale.
RUINS OF
CAMB US KENNETH ABBEY STIR
JNG
Scale
^ / g /a 20 ja ^
se Sff 7f so feet
VOL. VT. FLATEIir
w
"W?Mackison F.RIBA Stirling.
"W tA.K John^tCQi, F.ilmbiir^ii
fProceediags of tke Sociely of imaajLaries of ScotLani
SnrtnjQ^T' cf JiilfS cny ^hp cf
CenTiV- J'iJlcw. ay
JSctse- of CenXnt' ^llctr ifv
Southy cf Ihxnsepfy CV
fhatftnCfii of
J^naL^nie.niS cf Jhliate^l/ CctpitcUs
gEad:^
Windmt MuUicny Corner PilUr-Sase i/t Sttilflinp ScMi&jcrve of Ccrnep'^<tS€ A
I South of Trxutsept h
j |;.i':;i:|lll|
rojjvrpjjATsir*
3ase cf Ouster <A ShaAs ajt
interSecUctuofAiAe with/
TrtzrtsepC. ^
Shrtfh 3ctnA
Corner C£u.ster of Shct/ia itvsuie cf ^rttiy Trctn^ept Cuhle. €/
Stinh Fa/uiellinxi
Pm^ntenZ nC ISoss. at tnf, rf Groin
IliA
.licdil ";2 'i"',;
.Acise'MoulAut^ on Vhsst Hhtt
tA" Transept, a. | f. j'
i Sectione of Base of Cluster A
BoseA fast/Stuthn^
AfuUiott
fri^bioL BuAdui^ Base iA B&st Oahle cf NaJtey. t r
Fragment of Janih Moulding
S^ictterie cf Base cf Center Clusf^. €/ Jssti
FobateeL CapUhii of Shaft, detacrej.
ChfStSw of ShaBs inside- td South y^dt fd Mxre. Jv
Ori^mKdr BOBP'
iMnuJrh'nriS of
; - J Shaft Sand/ Stones
W« Mackisob. r S.A SCOT: ERIBA
MOULDINGS or v.f^piious Stones found in the Excavations of CAMBUSKENNETH ABBEY.
Y. & A.E.Joltaslm.E3Tiitrac^
232
PBOCKEDINOS OF THE SOCIETY OF
I.
A DECLARATION AGAINST THE NATIONAL COVENANTS OF SCOT-
LAND, 1C85. CouuuKicATBD by DAVID LAING, Esq., F.S.A. Scot.
(the OBIOiKAl. DOCUMENT WAS EXHIBITED BY JOHN ALEXANDER SMITH, m.D.,
SEC. S.A., SCOT.)
There prevails a very general misconception regarding the National
Covenants and Confessions of Faith, received at various times by the
people of Scotland. The three most memorable are,—
I. The National Covenant, or the Eino's Confession, signed by
James Yl. and bis household in 1580.
II. The same National Covenant or Confession, renewed, with addi-
tions, when Presbytery was thamphant in Scotland, in 1638.
III. TnE Solemn Leaovb and Covenant for England as well as Scot-
land, in 1613.
1 shall not enlarge on these public deeds, Laving, several years ago,
read a paper to the Society on the subject, when eEhibiting various copies
of them with original signatures. I allude to the subject at this time,
in immediate connexion with a Declaration of an opposite character,
signed by the Lord Chancellor, the Judges of the Court of Session, and
other officials, the original of which will now be exhibited to the meeting
by my friend Dr John Alex. Smith.
Before reading this document, which has no date, but which unques-
tionably was written and signed in the year 1685, a few stray notices
of the reaction that took place subsequent to the Restoration, regarding
these Religious Covenants, may be adduced, by way of supplement, to
my former communication.
It is well known that Charles II., after some negotiations, in 1650,
was invited to Scotland by the Covenanters, and that he solemnly swore
to observe and uphold the National Covenant, and Solemn League and
Covenant, at the time of his coronation at Scone, on the 1st day of Janu-
ary 1651. His sincerity in taking this oath has never been maintained ;
it was a mere political artifice, which signally failed to serve bis purpose.
After his Restoration, therefore, in 1660, neither he nor the adherents of
Episcopacy were likely to regard such Covenants with any, the least favour.
ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND.
233
Oue of the earliest demonstratlous that occurred was the buruiDg of the
CoveoaDt, by the haudB of the common haDgmaD, at Loudon, 22d May
1661. This proceeding was imitated with similar profanity at Linlith-
gow, 00 the king's birthday, 29th May 1662. Both events were com-
memorated in the form of what Wodrow calls " senseless roundells and
ballads," which were printed at the time, or circulated in manuscript.
Twenty years later, when religious persecution was at its height, some
of the Covenanters issued violent Declarations at Itutberglen, Sanquhar,
Lanark, and other places, against the tyrannical proceedings of the
Government. Thus, on the 12th of January 1682, thirty to forty of the
Cameronian party came to the town of Lanark, and at the market-cross
publicly burned the Act of Parliament concerning the Test, issuing at
the same time a proclamation of their own, denouncing the Xing as a
tyrant. For this outrage the Privy Council lost no time in imposing a
fine of 6000 mcrks on the town of Lanark; and still further to manifest
their displeasure, on the 18th of that month they caused the Solemn
League and Covenant, with the Lanark Declaration, and what was called
Cargill's Covenant, to be burnt by the hangman at the Cross of Edin-
burgh, the magistrates being present in their scarlet robes. Fountain-
ball, in noticing this proceeding, says, " Some thought it but a sorry
politique to burn the Solemn League, to revive the memory of what was
so long ago buried in oblivion' and, in another place, bo adds, " This
set people more a work to buy it and read it."^
In the Oath " to be taken by all persons in publick trust," known as
the Test, imposed the last of August 1681, there is this declaration
"That there lies no obligation on me from the National Covenant, or
the Solemn Leaoub and Covenant (so commonlie called), or any other
manner of way whatsoever, to endeavour any Change or alteration in the
Government, either in Church or State, as it is now established by the
Laws of this Kingdom."
The original document in MS., now exhibited, formed a sequence to
the Test Act, and is a Declaration by the Lords and Senators of- the
College or Justice against the lawfulness of the National Covenant
' " Historical Observes," p. 68.
^ " Hivtorical Notices," vol. ii. p. 346.
234
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OP
aud SoLBUN Lbaoub. It is indorsed, " Tiic Dbcl'abation," and is in tbe
following terms:—
" I Doe sincerly affirme and declaire, That I judge it unlaw-
full to subjects upon pretence of reformation, or other pretence whateo-
ever, To enter into Leagues and CoTenants, or to take up airmes against
tbe £ing or these commissionated by him, And that all these gatherings,
convocations, petitions, protestations, and erecting and keeping of Council)
tables that were vsed in tbe beginnings and for oarrieing on of the late
troubles, were unlawful! and seditious; And particularly that these oathes
whereof the on[e] was comonlie called The Nationail Coybkant (as
it was sworne and explained in the year on[e] thousand sex hundreth
and tbrettie eight and therefter); and the other, entituled, A Solbukb
Lbaooe and Covenant, were and are in themselves unlawful) oathes, and
were taken by and imposed upon the subjects of this Eingdome against
the fundamental Lawes and Liberties of the same, and that there lyetb
noe obligation upon me, or any of tbe subjects from the saids oathes or
either of them. To endeavour any change or alteration of the Govern-
ment either in Church or State as it is now Established by the lawes of
the Kingdome.
QoBKHSBBUBiB The»'. Pkktr, Cancel!'.
AxnoLL Da. Falconar
Geo: M'Eenzib
Ja: Foclis
J. Loc'koart
David Balfour
Jambs Foolis
A. Seton
Roger Hoo
A. Bbrme
Patrick Ooilvik
J. Murray
Gbo : Nicolson
J. Wauchopb
T. Steoart
1'. Lyon."
Ad. Gibsonr
Bo. M'Renzie
Ja. Dalbyufdb
Mr W. More
J. Weddebrurn
Jo. Foulis
Geo. Robrrtson
D. Gr£ME.
ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND-
235
On examining the Privy Council Becorcis and Acts of Sederunt to
ascertain its dale, I find no notice of this Dxolaration ; but it may safely
be assigned to the month of April or May 1685, or soon after the acces-
sion of King James H. King Charles II. died on the 6tb of February
1685. In the Proclamation by his successor it is intimated,—" That it
hath pleased God this day to call out of this life from the possession of
an earthly diadem, to tlte fruition of an etomal croum of ghry, His late
Majesty our Royal and most dearly beloved Brother Charles the Second,"
&c. The Declaration is nearly in the same words as an Act of Parlia-
ment passed on the 6th of May 1685. We also know that James Earl
of Perth was appointed Lord Chancellor 2l6t June 1684, and that Sir
David Falconar of Newton died on the 15th December 1685. Of the
Clerks who sign, Alexander Gibsone of Pentland, was Clerk of the Privy
Council. Roderick Mackenzie (brother of Lord Tarbat), and Sir James
Dalrymple of Eillocb, were Principal Clerks of Session. The last name
is " D. Graeme." Charles II., on the 19th June 1684, directed a letter
in favour of Mr David Graham, tutor of Gorthie, to be conjoint Clerk
of the Bills with Mr John Wedderbum of Blackness, Advocate. But
this letter was not produced, nor ordered to be recorded, until the 4th
of February 1685, or two days before the King's death.'
At the meeting of Privy Council, on the 20th of April 1685 ;—
" The Lord Newton, president, produced a Now Commission, granted
by the King's Majestic in favours of tho whole Lords Ordinarie and
Extraordinarie," whereof the tenor is inserted in that day's minute, and
the names of the judges are thus specified:—
SiB David Falconar of Newton, President,
Sir Gjsorob M'KRNzrz of Tarbat, Clerk-Register,
Sir Jaues Fodlis of Colinton, Justice-Clerk,
Sir Joum Locedabt of Castlehill,
Sir David Balfour of Forrett,
Sir James Fodlis Junior, of Redfuird,
Sib Alexander Seavon of Pitmedden,
Sir Rooer Hoo of Harcarse,
Sir Andrew Bibnie of Saline,
* Acta of SedcruDt, 1790, p. 104.
236
proceedinob of thb society of
SiK Patbiok ooiltn of Boyue,
Sir John Murray of Drumcairnie,
Sib Gboror Nicolson of Eemnay,
John Waucdopb of EdmonstoD,
Sir Thomas Stewart of Blair, and
Sir Patrick Lyon of Carse,
Ordioary Lords and Senators of our College of Justice. Also,
William Duke of Quebnsbbrbie, our Principal Treasurer of
our said Kingdom of Scotland,
John Marquess of Atholb, Keeper of our Privy Seal,
Alexander Earl of Moray, Secretary for our Ancient King*
dora of Scotland, and
Charles Earl of Mtdlrton,
Extraordinary Lords; and the said Sir Datid Falconer to be Presi-
dent in the absence of our Chancellor (dated 3d March 1685).
" After reading of which Commission (it is added), the Earl of Perth,
Lord Chancellor; the Lord Newton, President; Tarbett, Clerk Begister;
Collington, Justice-Clerk; Castlehill, Forrett, Bedfuird, Pitmeddie,
Harcars, Saline, Boyne, Drumcarnie, and Balcaskie, Ordinar Lords of
Session, nominated by the foresaid Commission ; and the Marques of
Atholl, Lord Privy Seall, one pf the Extraordinarie Lords of Session,
being present, did all take the Oath of Alledgiance and the Test upon
their knees, and did subscryve the Test and Declaration. And the Lord
Chancellor did administer the Oath Dt Fideli Adminislraiiont to the
Lord President, and the rest of the Lords who were present."
Other two of the Judges took the oaths on the 2d of May.
Wodrow, in his great zeal, notices that three " most iniquitous Acts
were made" by the Scottish Parliament, on the 6th of May 1685; " the
first, whereof, my written account says, was passed nemine contradxcente;
and all of them, with the former two, were that same day touched with
the sceptre, to the lasting reproach of this Parliament, and as evidences
what men, Protestants, and Fresbyteriaiis in particular, may expect under
a Popish Prince. They demand (he adds) our particular consideration."
The first of these three Acts is that gainst the Covenants, and is the
only one which it is necessary to quote:—
ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND.
237
" Odb SoysREioN Lord and Estates of Parliament, do hereby declare,
that the giving or taking the Nationall CoTenaot, as explained in the
year 1638, or of the League and Covenant (so commonly called) or writ-
ing in defence thereof, or owning them as lawful! or obligatory on them-
selves or others, shall infer the crime and pains of Treason."'
Wodrow adds, " No doubt, by this Act the Prelates and enemies of
Presbyterians reckoned they had gotten the Qravt-$tone put upon the
Covenanted Work of Reformation; but a very great body of people still
owned it, and that notwithstanding this Iniquity established by a Law;
and this work, which was the Globt or these Einodous, had and hath
its witnesses, and even a resurrection at the Happy Revolution, when our
Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Grovemment, were legally settled." *
I shall not occupy any time in quoting Wodrow's farther rejections
as to " how much iniquity and wickedness is wrapped up in this short
Actbut only add, that it was, as he justly remarks, a necessary pre-
lude to the intended introduction of Popery into Scotland.
Dr John Alexander Shith stated, he accidentally met with this very
interesting original document in a collection of miscellaneous papers,
where it had been apparently overlooked, in the possession of his friend,
R. E. SooTT, Esq., C.A.^ He alluded to the fact, as shown by the docu-
ment itself, of the complete agreement between the arbitrary will of
King James YII., immediately upon bis Accession, and the whole staff of
Officials of the College op Justice in Scotland.
Dr Smith added, that as Mr Laing's former communication on the
National Covenants had been read during the interval between the
printing of the Archxolooia Scotioa and the commencement of the New
Series of the Society's Proceedings, he begged to propose that it should
now be placed on record by being printed in the Proceedings of the
Society.
This suggestion was unanimously approved of by the Meeting. The
communication is accordingly here annexed.
' Acta, Pari. Scot., vol. viii. p. 460.
* Wodrow'fl Hiitory of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 619.
^ At a subsequent meeting, Dr Smith, through tho land penniuion of Ur Scott, do-
posited this original docnmcnt for preservation among the collections of the Society.
238
PROCEEDINGS OP THE SOCIETY OF
THE NAMES OP SOME OF THE PERSONS WHO HAVE ORIGINAL COPIES
OF OUR COVENANTS, NATIONAL AND SOLEMN LEAGUE, (ABOUT
THE TEAR 1720.)
From a MS. Paper in the pomttian of Mr Laino, Tnaeurer S.A. Scot.; with
Additional Notices, and JRemurkt on the National Covenants of Scotland.
[Read to the Society 24tA May 1847.]
[Along witb Boveral copies of these Covenants, with original eignatnres, there was
exhibited to the meeting a large Historical painting by Mr Alexamdeb Cbisbolh
of London, representing the signing of the National Covenant in the Greyfrian'
Chorcb Yard, Edinburgh, in the year 1638, in which portraits of the chief per-
Bonagee oro introduced.]
The adoption of Solemn Bands or Covenants, and of Confessions of
Faith, has always, in Protestant conntries, had a powerful influence in
furthering religious movements. 1 have been led to notice this class of
documents, from having lately met with a descriptive account of a con-
siderable number of written copies of our Scottish Confessions, with
the names of the respective proprietors, in the early part of the last cen-
tury. It seems to me curious, and worthy of preservation. To add some
interest to this dry list, I have collected for exhibition to tlie meeting
several of these OonfeBsioDs, with original signatures; and I propose to give
a succinct notice of the chief documents of this class received by the
people of Scotland during the last half of the sixteenth and first part of
the following Century.
The paper to which I allude has no name or date, and I can only con-
jecture it may have been prepared for the work known as " Dunlop's
Collection of Confessions," Edinburgh, 1719 and 1722, 2 vols, small 8vo,
of which a third volume was promised, but which unfortunately never
appeared. It is as follows.
AK ACCOtTNT OF TUX NAMXS OF SOME OF TM PERSONS WOO BAVB ORIOINAL
COPPIBS or OUB COVENANTS, NATIONAl. AND SOLEMN LKAOOE.
First.—0/the National Ck>vENANT of the Church of SeotUatd.
1. The parchment coppy eubecribed by King JamoB the 6th and iiis Household,
the 28th January 1680, is lying in the Advocates Library, in the Laigli Parliament
House, Edinburgh.
ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND.
239
2. Th« parchment coppj snbscribed anno 1688, by the Noblemen, Gentlemen,
Burgesses, Ministers, and Commons, is in tho hands of Mr William Hogg, merchant
in Edinburgh.
8. There is another parchment coppy of the said Covenant, finely wrote and illns-
trate with gold letters, in tho foresaid Library, subscribed by the Nobility, the same
year.
4. My Lord Colvin has an original coppy on parchment, finly illnstrate with gold
letters, snbscribed by the Nobility and many others, the same year.
6. Sir John Clark of Penuicook has two original coppies of the said Covenant on
parchment, subscribed by tho Nobility and others, the same year.
6. Sir John Maxwell of Pollock has a snbscribed parchment coppy of the said
National Covenant.
7. Sir Thomas Dalmahoy of that ilk has a parchment coppy, finely illnminate with
gold letters, subscribed by the Nobility and others, the same year.
8. Colonel Erskine at Courose (Culross) has two parchment coppies, snbscribed
by tho Nobility and others, tho foresaid year.
9. James Wbyte, merchant in Edinburgh, in the Fisbmarket, has a parchment
coppy, snbscribed by tho Nobility and others, the same year.
10. William Wardrop, chyrurgcon in tho Grass Mcrcat, Edinburgh, has a parch-
raent coppy, snbscribed by tho Nobility and many others, of the same year.
11. James Wilson, smith in Edinbnrgh, near the foot of Libberton's Wynd, has
a parchment coppy, snbscribed by the Nobility and others, of the same year.
12. Nicol Nisbet, writer and messenger in Edinburgh, at the foot of Conn's
Closs, has a parchment coppy, subscribed by the Nobility and others, the same year.
18. There is a copy of the said National Covenant recorded in the Kirk Session
Book of Linlithgow, subscribed by the Magistrates, Ministers, and others.
14. Thomas Ronald, Provost of Linlithgow, has an original coppy of tho said Co-
venant, on parchment, with many principal snbacriptions of the Nobility and others,
of the said year.
16. Mr James Hart, minister of the Gospel at Edinbnrgh, has an original coppy
of the said Covenant, on parchment, with many principal subscriptions of the No-
bility and others, of the same year.
16. Mr Woodrow, minister of the Gospel at Eastwood, hes an original coppy of
the said Covenant, on parchment, snbscribed by the Nobility and a great many
others, of the said year. ,
17. Mr — ■ - , curate in Doune, hes an original coppy, on parchment, illnstrat
with gold letters, subscribed by the Nobility and many others, about the same year.
18. Joseph Francis his landslord, in Irvin, hes an original coppy of the said
Covenant, on parchment, with the principal subscriptions of the Nobility, 1640 and
1641.
19. Marion Warrie, spouse to Donaldson, in Farme, has an original coppy,
240
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF
oa parchment, finely printed in two columns, subscribed by the Nobility and many
others, about the said time.
20. Ann Goodale, in Leith, relict to Mr Lyon, hcs n parchment coppy of the said
CoTcnant, subscribed by the Nobility and others.
21. George Paton, bookseller in Linlithgow, hcs a parchment coppy, finely printed
on parchment, in two columns, but the subscriptions are much worn out.
22. — Dundoss of that ilk, has a parchment coppy of the said Covenant, |pb-
scribed by the Nobility, lying in his Charter Chest.
Secondly.—Of the SoiEUK Leaoue and CovekANT of SeoHand, England,
and Ireland.
1. Mr John M'Millan, minister of the Gospel at Balmagie, living at the Forth,
hes a coppie finely printed on paper, in 4to, and with several sheets of clean paper,
subscribed by the Minister and Parish of ~, 1G43 ; all their own subscriptions.
2, Alexander Young, writer in Edinburgh, in the Cowgate, bos another of tlic
said printed coppies, with the names of the minister and parishioners of the parish
of Temple.
8. Mr James Kid, minister at the Quccnsferry, lies a printed coppy, with 228 of
the names of tho Members of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England,
who had taken it 1643.
4. Mr Kalph Erskin, minister at Dumfermline, hes another of the said copies
subscribed by the Miuistera and Parishioners of tho said parish, both 1648 and 1C48,
all their own subscriptions.
6. Mr John Geddie, minister at Couras (Culross). hes another printed coppy, sub-
scribed by the Ministers and Parishioners of Couras, both 1643 and 1648, all their
own subscriptions that could write.
6. Mr James Anderson, Writer to the Signet at Edinburgh, hcs the Original
parchment coppy of both the National and Solemn League and Covenant, sub-
scribed by Ring Charles the 2d, Uic Nobility, and others, at his Coronation at
Scoon, January Ist, 1661.
Nota.
Several of the coppies of tho National Covenant bear both the writers names and
designations.
Tho Solemn League in Culross, ^nd several of the parchment coppies of the Na-
tionol Covenant, ore subscribed by a notar for those who could not write.
The running title above tho names of that coppy in the Session Book of Linlith-
gow is wrote thus:—The Subscbibeeb of the Covenant.
The running title above the names of all these four coppies of the Solemn League
and Covenant is in print thus :—The Subscbibebs of the Leaode and Covenant.
The coppy of the Solemn League in Mr Enkin's hand, is finely bound in calf
ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND.
241
leatLor, nn<l Lcs npon each sjd of tlic covor, in gold letters, thus:—Foa tbr Kirk
OP Duupermlinq.
TLe coppy of tbe same in Mr Goddio's band is bound tbe samo way, and bee
upon OBcb syd of tbe cover, in gold letters also, thus:—Fob the Kirk of Culboss.
Kfost of tbo coppies of tbe National Covenant subscribed anno 1U38 ore quoted on
the back thus :—The Confessiok of Faith.
Tho coppies of tbo Solemn League and Covenant in Mr Erskin's and Mr Gcddes's
hands have the Acts of tho Commission of the Assembly, and Committees of Par-
liament approving and appointing tho taking and renewing of tho said Covenant,
unno 1(^3 and 1648. Printed and bound immediatoly buforo tho said Covonunt.
Which Acts are to be scon in tbo Confessions of Faitb printed at Edinburgh 1726.
The coppy of tho Sob-mu League in Mr Kid's hand has the Ordinance of the
Lords and Commons enjoining the taking of tho Solemn League and Covenant
thrnnghout tho kingdom of England and dtuniuion of Wales, 2 February 1C43-4;
and tho Exhortation of tho Assembly of Divines at the taking of the Solemn Loaguo
and Coveuant; both printed and bound in tho same paper, immediately preceding
tho Covenanta, which are also printed in tho oboro Collection of Confessions fn>m
98 to 107 page.
Tho Solemn League and Covenant aro always subscribed in two columns. And
the coppy fur tho parish of Damfermliiig bears tho day, month, and place whero
every person subscribed tbo same, which dutu is always set douuo in tho same
column where the persons snbscribe, immediately after tho Damea of those who lost
subscribed t>cforc tbem ; for it seems they did not snbscribe tho said Covenant all at
tbe same time.
The Noblemen, Gentlemen, and Burgesses, Ministers and Commons of all sorts,
were so clcorly convinced of tbo duty and lawfulness of National Covenanting with
God for the maintenance and defence of the true Reformed religion, that in the year
1G88 every shyro in Scotland had an original coppy of the said National Covenant
written on parchment, whereupon tbe said Sbyre subscribed; and several of tbe
Nobility likewise caused coppics to b<- fyiily wrote on parchment, and subscribed tho
uamu; and also caused others of the Nobility subscribe tho same (besides tho coppics
for tho shyre), which tho said Nobility laid up in tbcir charter-chests, and kvcpt for
themselves, where many of the same are yet lying; which is tho reason of so many
original coppies; and ordinarly the foresaid Nobility, &c., having at tho meeting at
Edinburgh first subscribod tho coppies which were sent to the several shyres to be
subscribed by thenisolves, which is the reason of the names of some of tho said p<-r-
sons arc act douuo in so many of tho old coppi<« : And also every parish in this
Chnrch had coppies of the said Covenant, which they subscribeil.
And 09 to the Solemn League: Besides the main and principal parchment,
which tho King and whole rupresentutives of the kingdom solemnly entered into
and renewed, every parish within the Church of Scotland had likewise a principal!
TOI,. IV. PART I. Q
242
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETT OF
coppio printed and bound wilb eovotal sheeto of clean paper, as above said, upon
which the whole parishioners anbscribed by appointment of the General Assembly
and Parliament.
It is somewbat remarkable that so many as 24 principal coppies of the National
Covenant, and six of the Solemn League, should be yet preserved, besides many
others which are lying in charter chests, publick records, and private bands, after so
groat a hro and fury of the Prolatick malignant faction, kindled at the Prelatick
upostacy 1660, to burn and consume to ashes tbo said Covenants and all that owned
them, especially considering that these Covenants and records were keept lying in
the hands of these very men who did profess and subscribe the same, annis 1638,
1643, and 1648, long before they apostatized to Prelacy; after which they nsed
their ntmost dilligence entirely to destroy them.
James Wilson's coppy, No. 11, is by him gifted to the Trades ChappcU called
hlagdalcn Cbappell, belonging to the Hammerman of Edinburgh, and is there
hung up.
Since there prevails a very general misconception respecting our
National Covenants, under the general name of the Solemn League, 1
shall mention them somewhat in detail, while describing various copies
preserved either in public collections, or exhibited to the present meet-
ing. [In printing this paper, I make no apology for supplying within
brackets some additional information obtained since the communication
itself was laid before the Society, fourteen years ago.]
I. The earliest Belioious Bands.
Four belonging to the years 1557, 1559, and 1560, are inserted by
Knox' and Calderwood^ in their Histories of the Beformation in Scotland.
The first is the Common or Godly Band, by the Lords of the Congrega-
tioD, dated at Edinburgh, 3d of December 1557. The second is the
Band for Mutual Defence, at Perth, last of May 1559. The third at
Stirling, let of August 1559. And the fourth, being a Band for expel-
ling the French, at Edinburgh, 27th of April 1560. Another Band,
subscribed by the barons and gentlemen of Eyie, Carrick, and Cunning-
bam, at Ayr, 4th September 1562, is also preserved by Knox.® Another
by the Citizens of Edinburgh, in 1572, is mentioned in Richard Banna-
• Knox'a Worke. vol. i. pp. 278, 344, 382; vol. ii. pp. 61-64.
" CitltlcTwond's UiBtory of the Kirk of Scotland, vol. i. pp. 326, 468, 489, and 684.
^ Knox, vol. ii. p. 848.
ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND.
243
tyoe's Memorials; but do original copies of any of these Bands, with
signatures, have been discovered.
[At the Tercentenary of the Scottish Beformation, commemorated at
Edinburgh in August 1860, an original copy of " Tub Common, or Godlie
Band " of 1557 was exhibited by the Rev. James Young, who read at
the same time an interesting "Comment on that Document." The
original is on paper, with only five signatures, namely, of the Earls of
Argyle, Glencarne, and Morton, Archibald Lord Lorn, and John Erskine
of Dun. It bad recently been discovered among the family papers of
the Erskines of Little Sauchy. Mr Young's communication is included
in the volume which w^ printed in commemoration of the proceediiigs
of that great convention.]
II. Tqk Confession of Faitu, 156U.
This was prepared, at the request of the Scottish Parliament, chiefly
by Enox, within the short space of four days, and contains a brief and
lucid statement of the great doctrines of the Protestant faith. It was
read and approved by the Estates of Parliament on the 17th of August
that year; and having received the public sanction, both of the civil and
ecclesiastical authorities, it seems never to have received individual sig-
natures. There were three editions of it printed in the year 1501, two
at Edinburgh, and one at London. [It is reprinted from the first edition
in Knox's Works, vol. ii. p. 93.]
When the Parliament assembled at Edinburgh, under the regency of
James, Earl of Murray, in December 1567, all the Acts which had been
passed in 1560, in favour of the Protestant religion and against Popery,
were ratified; and likewise the Confession of Faith, which thus became
part of the public statutes of the kingdom. It is included in all subse-
quent collections of Acts of the Parliament of Scotland.
III. The Kino's Confession, in 1580.
This Confession was drawn up by Mr John Craig, minister of Holy-
rood House, and was called the King's, or the Negative Confession, to
distinguish it from the Confession in 1560, which has an affirmative
form, aud was adopted as a mode of preventing defection, by a solemn
renunciation of the errors of Popery. It piinted at the time in
Q 2
2i4
PttOCEEDlNGS OF THE SOCIETY OF
various fortDn, aoJ was translated into different languages. Tbe original
parubment deed, with signatures, now very much faded, is in tbe Advo*
catos' Library. We can however trace tbe names of King James tbe
Sixth, tbe Earls of Lennox, Morton, and Argyll, Lord Rutbven, tbe two
ministers of tbe King's Household, John Craig and John Duncanson,
and other thirty-one persons, chiefly connected with tbe royal household,
at Edinburgh, 28th of January 1580-81. I gave a careful collation of
this copy, with tbe names of subscribers, in the Wodrow Society edition
of Bow's History, pp. 74-77; Edinburgh, 1842, 8vo. [It has since been
published in a lithograph fac-simile.]
In tbe Register-book of Laureations in tbe University of Edinburgh,
a copy of this Confession is inserted, and signed, in 1585, by Mr John
Craig, Mr James Hamilton, Mr Robert Rollok, designed Primarius,
Mr Duncan Name, Regens, and Mr Charles Lumisden, Regens. Tbe first
class of students who graduated in 1587 under Rollok, to tbe number of
forty-seven, and those of each succeeding year, on taking tbe degree of
of A.M., signing their names in the Register, were considered as sub-
scribing tbe said Covenant. [See this copy printed in tlie " Catalogue of
Graduates of the University of Edinburgh;" Edinburgh, 1858, 8vo.]
Another copy of this Confession, signed by King James tbe Sixth, tbe
Earls of Lennox and Huntley, the Lord Chancellor, and about ninety-five
other persons, " At Halyrudbous, tbe 25th of February 1587 (1587-8),
and of His Majesty's reigne the 21," is in tbe possession of Sir John
Maxwell of Pollok.
At this time tbe country was much alarmed by the threatened
Spanish Armada, as well as by the increase of Popery. " A General Band,
made for the maintenance of tbe Trew and Christian Religion, and tbe
King's Majesties person and estate" was added to this Confession.
The original Band, signed by the King and diverse of the Estates in
1588, is deposited in tbe University Library, Glasgow. On tbe 13tb
March 1589-90, the Lords of Secret Council authorized Robert Walde-
grave to print an edition of tbe Confession, the Band of Maintenance, and
Act of Secret Council against the adversaries of true religion, served
Jesuites and seminarie priests, for the purpose of receiving " Z)e Novo tbe
Subscriptions of all Nobillmen, Barons, Gentlemen, and others, bis
Hieness' lieges, of qubatsoever degree." To what extent such subscrip-
ANTIQUAHIES OF SCOTLAND.
245
tions may have been made is uiicertaiii; and of the few printed copies
still existing, the pages appropriated for receiving the names of sub-
scribers are usually wanting. In the copy I have, which is now exhibited,
the leaves are blank. But we know, that on the 30th of March 1506,
the Confession was again received and subscribed by the greater part of
the inbabitants of Edinburgh, and the example was followed in other
parts of the country.
According to an old Ecclesiastical Historian, this Confession was the
touchstone to try and discern Papists from Protestants," and "for the
exactness and worthiness thereof is much esteemed in all other Christian
Kirks professing sinceritie." (Bow, p. 78.) The King, at this time,
2d March 1580-81, gave charge to all commissioners and ministers
within this realme to crave the same Confession of their parishioners,
and to proceed against the refusers, &c. In the following month (April
1581), it was formally approved of by the General Assembly.
IT. Tue National Covbnant, 1038,
At the period of what has been called The Second Beformation, in
1638, it was resolved to renew the National Covenant, with such addi-
tions, "as the change of tyme and the present occasion requyred." The
Earl of Bothes, in his " Belation," states that the task was committed
to Alexander Henderson, then minister of Leuchars, and Archibald John-
ston of Warriston. The additions consisted chiefly in a formal abjura-
tion of Episcopal Church Government, as the Confession itself was of
Popery. Having satisfied the scruples of some brethren on a few points,
and discourses suited for the occasion having heen delivered by many of
the leading ministers, the Confession, as thus enlarged, was publicly
read, signed with the greatest unanimity and enthusiasm on the last
of February and the first of March 1638, by the greater number of the
nobility and barons, and three hundred of the clergy, besides burgesses
and others from all parts of the kingdom. The scene was the Churchyard
of the Gray Friars, Edinburgh, and forms the subject of the interesting
historical painting, which the artist Mr Alexander Chisqolm (a native
of Scotland, but settled in London), most obligingly acceding to a request
X made, has allowed to be exhibited at this meeting of the Society.
On the following day, the 2d of March, it was concluded that copies
246
PROCEEDliIGS or THE SOCIETT OF
of tliis NiiTiONAL OoTENAVT shoulil be provided for every ebire, baillery,
stewarJry, or district judicatory; also copies for every parish throughout
the kingdoro, to conlaiu the signatures of all persons who were commu*
nicants. Three days later, on the 5th of March, it was further resolved,
to ensure accuracy, That the only copies to which the noblemen
shall subscribe, be written by the three Notaries-Public, James Cheyne,
John Nieoll, and "VTilliam Henderson, the writers of the Protestation
which was made at the Cross of Edinburgh on the 22d of February that
year. The Protestation alluded to, with other official papers of the time
by the Covenanters, will be found in Lord Bothes's Relation, printed
for the Bannatyne Club in IRJO; and the original deed, preserved in the
Society's Museum, is herewith exhibited.
To account for the number of copies of this Confession having the same
signatures, it may be explained, that for the effectual prosecution of the
great cause which the Covenanters had solemnly sworn to promote, four
Committees were appointed, consisting of the leading noblemen, barons,
burgesses, and ministers, and known by the name of " The Tables," who
attached their names to the several copies sent, in accordance with the
above resolution, to all parts of the kingdom. Copies have occasionally
been sold in London for a high price, being described as the original of
an important historical document. The noblemen whose names are
usually attached to these copies may be mentioned : the Earls of Bal-
carres, Cassillis, Daldodsie, Eglintocn, Home, Lindesay, Lotiiian,
Loddoun, Mosteose, Rothes, Wemtss; the Lords Balmerino, Boyd,
Bdrghely, Couper, Cranstodn, Dalzell, Droulangrio, Elcoo, Flemyno,
Forrester, Fraser, Johnstodn, Melville, Montgomery, Sinclair, Tester.
I shall not attempt to enumerate all the copies I have examined of the
National Covenant thus renewed and subscribed in the years 1638 and
1639, but will confine myself chiefly to copies either in public libraiies,
or exiiibited at the present meeting.
1-4. In the Advocates' Library there are four copies. One of them
is marked on the back, " Confession of Faith for Fyfe." It is signed
by all the leading nobility, barons, and ministers, and a great many
names, on both sides of the parchment. Another, dated in January
1639, is Written in double columns, with some of the letters in gold,
but having only the names of the leading members of the tables
ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND.
247
written round the margin within circlea. [Of thia a fac-simile litbo-
graph has been published.] The other two are not of much importAOce,
nor well preserved.
5. In the University Library, Edinburgh, is a copy, well preserved,
subscribed in the usual form.
6-9. In the possession of the Society of Antiquaries there are four
copies. One is marked " For the Burghe and Parochin of Dumbar-
tane." Another belongs to AjTshire; it contains the parishioners of
Maybole, the names of a great number wbo could not write being
attested on different occasions by a notary-public. Of the nobility, it
is only subscribed by Montrose, Lothian, Loudoun, Balmerinoch, and
Oossillis; but, what is peculiar, in the upper line it is signed by two
of the Covenanting ladies of that district, namely, " Jeane Hamilton,"
evidently the Lady Cassillis, fourth daughter of Thomas Hamiltoi<,
Earl of Haddington, and " Margaret Kennedy," probably the daughter
of Lord Cassillis, who afterwards married Bishop Burnet, Lower down
are the following names :—Margaret Stewart, Joanna Stewart, (Trissle
Blair, Issobell Gemill, Helene Kennedy, Elizabeth Hewatt, Jeane Stew-
art, Margaret Stewart, Anna Stewart, Eiizbetb Stewart, Dame Helene
Bennett, Janet Fergussone, Among the ministers we 6od,—Mr Ja. Row,
Muithill; Mr Jo. Adamsone, Edinburgh ; Mr Harie Rollok, Edinburgh ;
Mr A. Ramsay, Edinhurgb ; Mr P. Hcwat; and J. Bonar, minister. The
latter, Mr James Bonar, was minister of the church of Maybole,
10. A copy belonging to the burgh of PeblU is marked, " For the
Burgh of Peblis." It has been engraved in facsimile, but it is in no
respect remarkable.
11. Another copy in the General Register House presents no re-
markable peculiarities.
12-14. Three copies in the British Museum, marked MS. Addit. 4851,
Add. Chart. 1280, and 5961, are signed as usual by Rothes, Montro.se,
and many others.
15. Of original copies in the possession of private individuals, one of
the best belongs to Sir James (now to Sir William) Gibson Craig of Ric-
carton. It is written in a large hand, with the title and some words in
gold letters. Having been somewhat injured, it has been repaired.
Among the signatures, it contains Argyll, Mar, Rothes, Montrose,
Lindesay, Loudoun, «kc.; also, Napier, Sir Jo. Maitiand (afterwards Earl
248
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF
and Duke of Lauderdale); M. A. Gibeon, Durie; Sir rhomas Hope;
and in tlie centre of tbe pag;e, A. Jlionston, Cls. Eccl.
16, 17. One, in my own possessioQ, now exhibited, has tbe usual sig-
natures. I also exhibit another, and more interesting one, endorsed,
"The Confession of Faith, fur the Laird of Dun and his Parishioners."
It has the names of about twenty-two of the nobility, including, as usual,
Rothes, Eglintoun, Cnsslllis, Home, Lothian, Montrose, and Loudon, with
a great many barons and commissioners of burghs; and among the clergy,
James Sharpe of Govan, William Levingston, and Andrew Ramsay.
[18, 19. In reference to No. 5 of the List, at p. 239, the Right Hon.
Sir George Clerk, Bart, of Penicuik, showed me these two copies of
the National Covenant, The one, neatly written, and well preserved, is
dated 1639, and has the names of A. Leslie (Earl of Lcven), Argyll,
Mar, Montrose, and nineteen or twenty of the nobility, besides several
barons, burgesses, and ministers. The second copy has a reference to
the determination of the General Assembly concerning the Articles of
Perth, in July 1641. It is written in double columns, and has this
peculiarity, that tbe forty-two circles, forming a kind of border to tbe
deed, have the arms of the nobility, &c., neatly drawn; but the sigiia-
tures, for the most part, are now quite illegible.
20, 21. There are two copies of the Covenant on parchment, in tbe
possession of James Dundas of Dundas Castle, Esq. One is marked,
" For the Parochine of Dalmenie;" the other, "For Linlithgow Slierrif-
dome ; Ordeinit to be delyverit to the Laird of Dundas to be keipitt."
22, 23. Two exhibited at the Tercentenary Reformation Meeting in
1860: one by tbe Corporation of Skinners, being that marked in No.
11 of the MS. list, but in good state; tbe other, with ornamented letters
and border, but the writing also much faded, in the poseession of the Rev.
Dr T. Guthrie.
24. A similar copy in Trinity College Library, Cambridge.
25. Tbe only other one 1 shall mention has the date 1639, and belongs
to Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, Esq., and professes to have been written
by " William Ayton, maison." The title is in gold letters, and the names
within circles round the margin, including Mar, Glencairn, Montrose,
Argyll, G. Gordon, J. Southerland, Eglintoun, dtc. From its state of
preservation, the style of penmanship, and the select signatures, it is
about tbe choicest copy 1 have seen of this National Covenant.]
ANTIgUAHIES or SCOTLAND.
249
V. Ttre Solkmn.Leaouk and Covknant, 1643.
This, although the most noted of all our National Covenants, will not
require any lengthened notice. At the General Assembly held at Edin-
burgh in August 1643, four Commissioners from the English Parlia-
ment and two from the Assembly of Pivines at Westminster were pre-
sent. The chief object of their mission was to propose a treaty for a Civil
league between the two Kingdoms for their mutual support against the
Royalists as their common enemy. In Scotland, however, a Religious
Bond was mainly desired; and it was suggested by (he Moderator,
Alexander Henderson, to have both objects conjoined. Having pre-
pared a draft of such a mutual engagement, and this being approved of,
as well by the Convention of Estates as by the General Assembly, was im-
mediately transmitted to the Parliament of England for final approval.
This Solemn Lkagvb and Covenant, as it was called, passed the Houses
of Parliament with singular unanimity, and was subscribed by the mem-
hers in St Margaret's Church, Westminster, on the 25th of September.
Having thus been received and adopted in England, it was returned to
Edinburgh, when two ordinances wore passed, on the llth and 12th of
October, by the Commissioners of the Assembly and of the Convention
(if Estates, enjoining the same to be, with all religious solemnitiea, sworn
and subscribed by all His Majesty's good subjects, under Civil penalties
as well as Churcb censures.
I am not aware of any written copies of the Solemn League and Co-
venant with signatures, being preserved. Instead of, like the former
Covenant, being written on large sheets of parchment, it was printed
under the following title" A Solemn League and Covenant, for Refer-
matioo, and Defence of Religion, the Honour and Eappinessc of the
King, and the Peace and Safety of the three Kingdomes of Scotland,
England, and Ireland. Edinburgh : Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to
the King's Most Excellent Majestie. 1643." 4to. Blank leaves were
added to these copies, with the head title on each page " The Sub-
scribers of the League and Covenant." Many copies might be specified,
in particular one now in the University Library of St Andrews, containing
nearly 1600 signatures of persons at St Andrews, in December 1643.
Another I met with in the Kirkwall library, with many signatures of resi-
dents in the Isle of Bousey, within the sherifiTdom of Orkney. But the
250
i'roceedings op the bocibty of
most interesting copy is that in tbe Society's Museum, signed at New-
battle in October 1643, by the Earl of Lotbian, Boberl Leighton, minister,
afterwards Bishop of Dunblane, and tbe parishiooerB.
Tbe state of the country, after an interval of five years, led tbe Com-
mission of tbe General Assembly and tbe Committee of Estates, on tbe
6th and 14th of October 1648, to pass Acts ordaining the Solemn League
and Covenant, after a solemn public hamiliation and fast, to be renewed
and subscribed by all the congregations in tbe kingdom. For this pur-
pose, copies were reprinted, with blank leaves for the names of subscribers.
1 have a copy of this edition, signed by " Mr James Hamiltoun, Mode-
rator," and about ninety others, ministers and elders, apparently at a
meeting of tbe Commission of the General Assembly, held for some
special object, on tbe 11th of April 1649.
The Covenant and Solemn League was signed by King Charles tbe
Second, and his courtiers and others, at his coronation at Scone, on tbe
Ist of January 1651. As this " principal" copy was in tbe possession of
James Anderson, author of tbe " Diplomata Scotiae," (see No. 6 of tbe
MS. list, supra p. 240), it is probably still in existence.
After the Bestoration of Charles in 1660, it is well known tbe National
Covenants and Solemn League were denounced as unlawful oaths, and tbe
copies were ordered to be brought to tbe Cross of Edinburgh, and bunied
by tbe hand of tbe common hangman, tbe term of Covenanter becoming
a reproach. But I shall not enlarge on this, tbe reverse of tbe picture.
VI. Tdb Westminster Confession of Faith, 1646.
I may conclude this notice with tbe simple title of this well-known
Confession. It was prepared, with other directories for Church Govern-
ment, &c., by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster (with tbe assist-
ance of Commissioners from the Church of Scotland), and printed at
London, by order of the House of Commons, in December 1646. It was
also approved of by the General Assembly in 1647, and is usually printed
along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. After tbe Bevolution,
this Confession was again ratified and established by Act of Parliament,
1690, as the public Confession of the Church of Scotland, and it is still
adhered to by all classes of Presbyterians in this country, notwithstand-
ing the objections which some of our dissenting brethren entertain in re-
gard to the terms employed in chapter xxiii., "Of the Civil Magistrate."
TRADITIONS OF GLENURCHAY: BLIND HARRY'S NARRATIVE OF
SIR WILLIAM WALLACE'S EXPEDITION INTO ARGYLLSHIRE,
ELUCIDATED BY THE HELP OF LOCAL TOPOGRAPHY AND
TRADITION ; ALSO A SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE ON THE OSSIANIC
TALES OF THE BRAES OF LORN. BY ARCHIBALD SMITH, M.D.i
(Map, Plate XLIII.^
I need not here remind Scottish antiquaries, and the readers of the
" Wallace Papers," printed for the Maitland Club, that the poem called
" The'Wallace," by Blind Harry, has been too harshly served by hostile
criticism ; and that, far from being beneath the notice of the historian,
in many important particulars recently brought to light, it is found
highly deserving of historical consideration.
In perusing the episode of Wallace's adventure in the defile of the
Awe and Braiider in Argyllshire, 1 observe that a perfect accordance
exists l>otween the minstrel's narrative, and the more ample local traditions
of the parish of Glenurchay and Innishaill on the samo interesting
8ubj<u;t, with which I was familiar sixty years ago, and which have come
transmitted to us from one generation after another as the long-cherished
reminiscences of local history among a community who were allied to
their chiefs, and interested, as members of one family, in the achieve-
mcnte of their ancestors. How a man blind from his birth could
compass the exact topographical knowledge of a proverbially inaccessible
district—the ancient stronghold of the Campbells of Argyll and Braedal-
bane, wliose war-cry it was—" It is a far cry to Lochow"—it is not easy
to conceive ; but through whatever channel he may have had his iufonna-
tion, nothing can be more certain than that the minstrel's details are all
consistent the one with the other, and in perfect keeping with the
particular character of the hills, rocks, lakes, and intricate windings and
passes of Wallace's line of march, from the highlands of Perthshire to
the reputed scene of his victorious exi)loit in Lorn.' So marked a
* Sco Dotn nt th'* end of this CommunicatioD respecting the decease of the Author.
2 In the tract entitled " Commentarius in Relativncs Arnnldi Blair," edited among
other Wdllaoe Papers, and included in a volume entitled " De Gestis illustr. Heroia
Uulielini Vullao, Ac., Collcet»mo»," by Andreas Symaon (Edinhurgh, I7U5). I find it
TRADITIONS OF GLENOKCH-VY.
223
concurrcnco botwccn tho unchangoablo features of nature, the story as
given by the minstrel, and the treasured memories of independent ancient
tradition, cannot be reasonably disposed of as accidental coincidences;
and, surely, no one will be so credulous as to ascribe such agreement as
this, among three distinct sources of testimony, to tlie mere idle invention
of a blind poet. Allowing that Blind Harry's poem of " Tlie Wallace "
is dated so late as 1470, or 165 years after the death of Wallace, the
interval was not too great to prevent the existence of fresh traditions of
his achievements. At a distance of 150 yejirs the affair of Sheriff Muir
in 1715 is fresh in the memory of the Highlanders to this day, and even
tho outrages of Montrose at Inverary are not yet forgot.
The second decade of tho present century witnessed the dispersion of
the native gentry of the braes of Lorn, as no longer necessary to support
the ancient chieftainship and patriarchal dignity of the noble proprietor
of the land. Wide tracts of hill and strath changed occui)ants, and were
stocked successively by sheep and deer. New connections, new associa-
lions, and the rapid influx of entire strangers, or outlying adventurers
from Breadalbauc, supplied the exodus of the old Celtic popidation of
this beautiful parish, and so altered its social aspect that its ancient tales
and traditions have almost disappeared. (See p. 237.) The last reciter
of what is kno^vn as Ossianic poetry was an old and illiterate woman,
named Christy M'Nicol, of the Arivean tribe, who died in 1864.
recorded:—" That wliiU Wallaf^ tras huxicd in the Hufhlande of Lenae, Ar^jU, and
lom," the Lord William Douglas took by stratagem from tho Euglisb tho castle of
Sauquliar, in the county of Dumfries, and dispatched a mesRonger to Wallace, then in
Lennox, asking him to come to his assistance with an armed force; which Wallace
prciinptly did, and drove tho enemy over the Borders. This event is said to have
occurred in the year 1208 ; but I shall have occasion to observe in another note,
that the Lochow expedition of Wallace must liave been as early as 1297, and that
his presence in Lennox, just berore his enterprise in ritifling the siege of Sanquhar,
was after his return from Lorn, appears at least very probable. Wallace having
defeated M'Fadyen, and destroyed his Irish followers at the Puss of Awe, would
naturally recruit his own adherents from those Scotsmen whoso lives he had caused
to be spared in that condict; so that, by this occessiou of armed men, ho would
bo in a tit coudition to undertake such an exploit as was required for tho relief of
Sanquhar. From tho head of Lochow it would be cosy in a few hours to reach tho
Lennox, at tho head of Lochlomond, by theCaorau-mor foot-pntli across the boundary-
hills and moor that separate Glenurchay from Glenfalloeli.
rRO( EE[tIN(;R OF TUB KOl'IBiT, M\V IfWiT.
Tn :i'Mition to ]>n>liiiiiiisirv Jrt luc iioiv point out kodk*
sulifiit {'oint>< oi' tiiiio;;iiipliv, which I shall hnvu (H'cucioM to t-uich upon
in lolJowiii'^' up th«' tlm'-!i«l of lilin I Harry's naiTili\<-.
D>i'<d Ti'ii"iir<n,hij.
]!fiiiii- 'riiacliuu ooimists, ju itn nanii* iiii|>i>rt«i, of an a'_'j^';;.ttF rif
" ('riiiU'lH," or hill eiu'h of wliich has its own (listlnouishin^
luiiiir. 'I liii.s ('m.u h.in proper, witli its thn-u (-ulniiiintiiio peaks, rises in
till' hai-keroiuiJ from the shoios of Lm h Kti\ i* (I of iliu^^iiuii).
L's'iiiiwe iitiil CrUcu'imn from tlio lioi(.lits uIhivc Clu'lirh.
1. fill 1 ,^k^ Jiii'l I II lul im-rio of rni.icliiiii 'I. Jill- rBviiii' leiJ wutcrfall uf ruvliinlmli ■ami.
-I fill' un iM -lii'll uilli U ( Hire -iiu-riiiilk. 1- iln' i iilniiur tu Cmri'-kUis !i. Cn iksin-anililli, >1.
Jill r|ili-i-iil ti< k-Hii-unL 7. ttiv lirfj «f ICndhor Uiii. IiOaniliit liiiibliallL !l. I-Junii u( luiiiaK-
il unlilhiikli ]'i f roaili-vlliili.
iJuinn-a-hliuiriilh (Bi-nvuri) Ls the wood-akirted hill whieh fucea Loch
Awe, to the eaot of the waterfall, ami its i-a\iiu' calloil E.is'lm'i'liahi'uim {'2)\
ami ahoiit two-lhirils up its siih- is the shi-lf-liki' rut luUed "Coirc-iia-
ruaio" (:{, II).
lii'liiiid iM'tuii-a-hliuiridli, and between it :md I'maehan pioper, there
TlUblTIOKS OF GLENORCIJAY.
is a deep mountain hollow named Coire-glas (4). It opens at top into
the central con-io of Cruachan, above the waterfdl and ravine of
Easiliirchabeann.
Two or three hundred yards to the west of the said ravine, where its
water is crossed by a bridge, stands the formidable ladder-rock, known in
the district by the name of Creag-an-amidh (5). This name may have
originated in a few steps of a ladder being used to cross a broken gap in
the roadway, before a cart-road was made across the cliff in later times.
A little to the west of the Ladder-rock is " Leatdid-an-t'siroir," so called
from a broken ledge being there bridged over by a wooden beam to
support the pathway in former times. Tlio ladder-rock rises Iwldly from
the very edge of the loch, Avith a broad base which extends westward for
iibout a quarter of a mile ; and opposite to this laud-mark, on the other
si<le of the gorge, where Loch Awe narrows into a strait, called Caol-a-
bhraruth,' before its water bursts into the rugged channel of the river
Awe, on its short but rapid course into Loch Elive, is the " Cnuje-unyn "
of lllind Harry.''
Tliis great crag is kno%ni to the natives of up)>er Loch Awe by its
> Tliis Gaelic name is vcrf appropriate, and naeans tbe strait of the rapid current.
Thus Brarutli, and in the posacseive case Blirarutli, is denvod from the compound
word Bras-slirutli, contracted into Braruth, and Anglitlnd into Brandcr. 'I'liiB narrow
arm or trough of the loch at its outlet forms the rapid and brawling ttream of Otf
river Awe.
' In Dr Jamieson's edition of Blind Harry's "Wallace," for the Crage-nnyn of
tlio edition of 1714, he adopts the name Crage-vuyn; but why lie uses this variation,
so foreign to the local topography in question, he docs not say; it is both gratuitous
Carrick, in his interesting " Life of 'Wallace," vol. i. p. 218, assorts in a note,
that the minstrel calls Creag-an-araidh by the name Crage-unyn. But Blind Harry
commits no such modern blunder. This mistake is one of Carrirk's own fabrication,
for ho imagines that Creaganaraidh and Creaganooiiaidli are but small deviations
in the orthography of the same name, which is quite a mistake. These names
apply to two separate landmarks, situated on opptsite sid<'s of the narrow arm of
LrtcL Awe, as is familiarly known to every native Celt of the district. This raistako
vitiates Carrick's description of Sir Neil Campbell's movements at the pass of
Brander, for the historian supposes that this gallant chief had crossed from the left
to tbe right sido of the strait, in order to reach Creag-an-nraidli, on which ho
supposes there had been a castle, only accessible on one side by a ladder, &c., which
is a mcro myth, and never onco alluded to either by Barbour or Blind Harry.
226
I'ltOCEEDINGS ol' THE SOCIETY, MAY 18C7.
old Gaelic name of Creag-au-aonaidh (i. e., the one-faced rocky steep, or
precipice), and is phonetically written Creag-an-uni (C). It is, in fact, one
great and continuous precipice of crumbling crags and stony debris, with
here an<l there patches of gi-een pasture, which rises sheer from the deep
dark water of the strait for its whole length of about a mile and a half.
On the lofty ridge of this hilly steep, which overshadows the narrow
trough and area of the pass of Brander, it was that Sir Neil Campbell of
Lochow took up his position (according to the tradition of the country,
and very distinct narrative of Blind Harry), after he had crossed from the
right to the left bank of the Brander, broke down the bridge, and thereby
cut off the further progress of his pxirsuurs.
From the promontory, or " rudh," on the pro]>erty now called New
Inverawe, but formerly Tirvine, there was, in the days of Sir Neil
Campbell, a regular ferry communication (7) with
The island of Innisliaill (8), on which was a nunnery, chapel, and
burying-ground; and also a ferry communication with
The island of Innish-draoidhnich (9) (or the Druid's Isle), close in upon
the southern shore, with which it had access by stepping-stones in shallow
water.
By looking at the relative map which accompanies this paper, it will
be seen how easy it would he for Sir Neil Campbell, on learning of
the immediate approach of "Wallace by Glendocliart, to vacate, under
cover of night, his position on Creaganuni,' cross over by boat to Innish-
draoidhnich, and, by noon of the following day, unite his own forces
with those of the great defender of Scotland's liberties.
Following Blind Harry's narrative, wo learn that Duncan M'Dougall,
brother of Alexander M'Dougall, then of Argyll and Lorn, was hard
pressed by M'Fadyen, the leader of a motley army, chiefly Irish, in the
service of Edward I., who at the time held Jolm of Lorn, heir to the
' It may here bo noticed tliat as the old knights of Lochow resided in their castle
in tho^island of InnischonaiJl, they must have bad boats of somo kind on Lochow at
a very remote period of their liistory ; and we know that the easllo of Froach-cilan,
near tlio head of Lochow, and in the vicinity of Innishuill, was built by King
Ak-xandi*r III., in the year ]'2G7 ; so that bouts must havu been used tUuro thirty
years before the expedition of Wallace.
TllADITIONS OF GLENORCHAY.
titles and estates of bis father, Alexander of Argyll, a slatc-prisonur in
England. Finding it necessary to retreat before the invaders of the lauds
of Lorn, Duncan M'Doiigall fell back on the protection of his powerful
neighbour, iSir Keil Campbell of Lochow. The minstrel thus relates the
fact:—
" Dunkan of Lorn yeit for the landia straifr,
Quliill MitoFaJyao ouraut him with the luifT;
Put him olT force to gud CamboU the Knyht,
Quhilk in to war woe roy»d, wurthi, aud wicbt."
In a case involving common danger, this able cbief readily came to the
aid of M'Dougall, although the hcrcditiiry foe of lus house.' The
minstrel suras up Sir Neil Campbell's prompt movements in rapid
outline:—
" Thr> Knycht Cambull maid gud di-fc-DS for thi;
Till Crage-utiyn with three liundlr ho yeid.
That Htrcngth ho licld, for all hie cniell doid;
Syno brak tbe bryg, quhur thai mycht nocht out paee;
But thruuch a furd, quhar narrow passage was."
Sue IS. 7, Hoe C45, Ac.
Duncan of Lom, when driven by the invaders from the environs of
DunoUy and Dunstaffnage,—the stronghold of his chief and clan,—would
no doubt direct his steps towards Iimis-chonaill Castle, the seat of Sir
Neil Campbell, on Nether-Lochow, from which the lands of M'Dougall
were separated by a ridge of hills called the " Boundary String."
Innis-chonaill is an island with a castle thereon, near the furthermost
extremity of Lochow.
There was only one course of action open to tho Knight of Lochow,
who disdained to abandon by flight tho shores of his own lake to the
enemy. He at once resolved to lead his followers up the south side
of Lochow,—from which the island Innis-chonaill is only separated
by a deep and narrow channel of about thirty yards across,—and
' Sir Noil's father, the ruuowned Gailoau-mar, from whom tbe noble family of
Argyll derivv their Highland patronymic " M'Cniluan," was slain on tho string of
hills, butwoon Lochscammadulo and Lochavich, in a skirmish with tho M'Dougalls,
headud by Iain BtwhauU (or, the lame Johu) of Loni, in the year 11^4. Near the
spot where this great man fell, is still pointed out his iDOuldering cair/i; but his
body was interred iu the uncieut clm(«l or church of Kilichrunaii.
228 rKOCEEDlNOS OP THE SOCICTY. MAY 18C7.
rapidly marcliing to tlie east end of this ooblu sheet of water, he crossed
the river Urchay, and descended along the south side of BelDD-crnachai),
into the narrow pass of tho Awe, at Brander, closely pur8ue<l by
M'Fadyen. Hero Sir Jfeil Campbell crossed from tho right side of
the deep and rapid river Awe, mth all his followers, to the loft side,
and then broke down the bridge by which they had just crossed ; and
at once ascending the cliify ridge of Creag-an-aonaidh (phonetically,
Cmiij-iiii-uui), he was in a position to look down with triumph on his
foes, now caught in a trap from which they were never to extricate
themselves. The minstrel forcibly depicts the difficulty of M'Fadyen's
situation at this juncture :—
"AliandouDly Cambcll ogaino tliaim baid,
Fust apon Avis tliat was bnthc depe aud braid,
MacFiidyen was upon the totbor syd,
And on force bebuft it liiio fur to byd;
For at the furde he durst nocht entir out,
Fur gud Cambell mycbt set him than in duut."
B. 7,1. 055.
There is nothing now to show where the bridge here mentioned was
situated, or of what it was constructed. But that there was a bridge
Barbour attests, and says that, in following up the retreat of the men of
Lorn, the king's adherents
"Hnld tho brig hallo, quhiU the king
With all tho folk off bis Icdiug
Pussyt the brig all at thair eso."
The Bruu, B. 7,1. 3'JO.
It would then apj>car that, in tho interval of about eleven years which
elapsed between the military expedition of Bruce and that of I\''allace
into the jiass of Awe, the bridge broken down, as relatc>l by Blind Harry,
was reconstructed.'
Having placed tbe river between himself and M'Fadyen, Sir Heil Camp-
bell could, wth a handful of men, defend the ford from the multitude on
* Holinslied, in his " Obronicles of Scotland," relates that in the year 1808 King
Hubert Bruce nubduod Argyll, and took Alexander Lord of Argyll out of a strung
cattle; this fixes tho dut<' of Bruce's expedition two years after his own defeat at
Uiilrigli, or Dulrue, by M'Bougal] of Lnru.
THADITIONS OF GLENOBCUAY. 229
the other side; and urged by the emergency of the case, Duncan of Lorn,
attended by his scout, Gylimychael, proceeded by the nearest footpaths
across the hiUs to ask aid from Sir Wiliiani Wallace, then in the neigh-
bourhood of Stirling. The journey could be performed by an active
pedestrian in a long summer day. From the minstrel we learn that the
generous patriot entered warmly into the proposed enterprise, and having
promptly assembled a band of faithful followers at Stirling bridge,
"Toward Argyll he bownyt him to ryd,
DuDcan of Lorn was tliair trew sekyr gid."
B. 7.1. 748.
But in these movements it was necessary to ascertain how the enemy was
situated, and to act in concert with Sir Neil Campbell, and, therefore, the
old scout Gylimychael was despatched to this valiant chief, still stationed
on Creag-an-unL An*l it is of importance to bear in mind that, on the
shortest notice, he could move his men from this strategical po.sition to
the Rue of Tirvine, whore a ferry was kept from time immemorial by a
family of the name of M'Tavish and from this point open communi-
cation existed across the boundary hills of the parish of Glenorchay with
the head of Locbfine, the head of LocIUomoiid, and the head of Ix)ch-
dochart—all of them within an easy day's march of the head of Lochow.
(See the relative map of this paper.)
Gylimychael's nearest route from Stirling was by Callander, Balquhid-
der, and the old footpath between Glenfalloch and Glenurchay, through the
moor of Caoron ; and that no time was lost in delivering his message is
evident from the minstrel's statement, that the indefatigable scout, together
with Sir Neil Campbell, and his 300 followers,
" That cruoll was aod keyne,"
joined Wallace's advanced column of 700 men, with himself at their head,
in Glendochart.
' Tlie M'Tarishes couDt«d tbemeelres older than the Clan-Donachiu family vf
Iiiverawe, who were descended of Duncao Campbell, brother to Sir Neil Campbell
of Lochow. the last of whom, in the direct male line, futhor and son, gallantly fell
at Ticondcroga, in America, 1766. By a strange aDacbronism Garrick, in his " Life
of Wallace," vol. i. p. 211, confounds the founder of the luveraw Campbells with
DoDDauba<lli dubh nau Caistual (Block Duncan of tlie Castles), who lived 800 yeara
later, and woa the seventh Laird of Glenurchay, who died 1C31.
230
PKOCEEDINOS OF THE SOCIETY, MAY 18C7.
" Duokao ofT Loroe Gilmycball fra thaim send,
A spy to be, for he the coutr^ kcod.
Bo our party was paaait Struilbfulnn,
The small fute folk bcj^ao to ifk ilkane;
And borss, off fors, bebulTyt for to faill.
Than Wallace tbocbt that company to vaill,
' Ond men,' be said,' this is uocbt meit for us;
In brokeyn ray and wo cnm on tbaim thus,
We may tak skaith, aud harmo our fayis bot small;
To tbaim in lik we may nocht semble all.
Tarry we lang, a playne feild thai will get;
Apon tbaim sone sa weill we may nocht set.
Part we mon leiff ws folowand for to be;
Witb me sail pass our power into tbre.'
A bundyr fyrst till himself he has tayne,
Off Westland men, was worthi knawin ilk ano.
To Schyr Johu Grayme als mony ordand he,
And five bundretb to Richard off Lundye.t
Thus Wallace host began to tak tho bicbt;
Our a montayne sone passit off tbar sicbt.
In Glendowcbar tbair spy mot them again,
With Lord Cambell."
B. 7.1. 761.
It is quite manifest, I think, from this quotation, that Wallace had entered
the Highlands by tho old rood between Ardoch and Comrio, as his most
direct way to St Fillan, which Blind Harry calls ^'Straith Furkn." It
may, perhaps, have been so designatoil in the days of Wallace.* At any
rate, whether the blind minstrel or his transcriber was right or was wrong
* According to the History of Walter do Hemmingford, Richard of Lnndy waa
one of the Scottish "magnates" who at the treaty of Irvine (on 9th July 1297)
surrendered to St de Percy in the name of tbe King of England; and we may
therefore conclude that it was not later than some weeks at least before this date
that Wallace's expedition into ArgylesLire was undertaken; for if Richard of Lundye
took a leading part in this adventure, it must have occurred before his defection
from the cause of the great guardian of the liberties of Scotland. In our Scottish
chronicles it sometimes happens that names, and it often happens that dates are
wrong, where there is no doubt about tbe events related, and this especially is tbe
case when these are handed down by oral tradition.
• King Robert tbe Bruce, in the tenth year of his reign, granted tho church of
Killln, at tbe foot of Glondochart, to the Abbey of Incbaffray, on condition that one
of tbe canons sbonld officiate in the kirk of Stmthflllan, near Tyndrom. See
Parish of KilJin in tbe Old Statistical Account of Scotland.
TRADITIONS OF GLENORCIIAV.
231
OS to the name, thoru can be no doubt from tlio context tlint lie really
meant the place we now call St FiLlan. At this stage of his journey we
read that he became impatient of delay, and choosing such men as were
best able to bear the fatigue of a Highland district and a rapid march, lie
hurried over the mountains that separate Lochoamhead from (lleiidochart.
If he advanced by the south side of Loch Earn from St Fillan, the
most direct mountain path lay between the valley of Edinchip and Ard-
chyle, less than a mile below the present Inn of Luib; but if he followed
the road on the north side of Loch Earn, then, as now, the way through
Glcnogle would be the easiest, especially for equestrians. There is a bridle
path between Balquhidder and the head of L«>chdochart by the Glen of
Beinn-raor; but Wallace must have entered Glendochart lower down the
foot of Beinn-mor, for the minstrel siiys that, after the Highland and
Lowland forces had joined under their respective leaders in Glendochart,
that on their march westward,
" Be Louchdoucliyr full eodoynly thaim drow."
B, 7,1. 792.
But considering that the manauvres of Sir Neil Campbell might have
been watched, and his footsteps traced by the enemy's spies previous to
his union with Wallace, the latter general took the wise precaution of
sending the indefatigable Gyliinychael before them to reconnoitre the
mountain pass, between tho head-streams of the river Dochart and the
valley of the Urcliay, which latter place he anxiously pre.«ised forward to
reach unobserved by M'Eadyen. Gylimychacl was not long before he
met a spy on the heath, and after procuring from this unlucky wight the
information he wanted, slew him to prevent any further trouble.
" Apon the mo» a Bconrrour aono fand be,
To scour tho land Mak-fu'tyane had him send,
Out of Grag-moi that day be thocht to wend."
B. 7.1. 79>
Wallace was thus happily apprised of tho position and intentions of the
Irish general, who was about to wend his way that very day from before
the great precipitous rock of Creag-an-uui. During his eagerness to over-
take Sir Neil, M'Fadyen appears to have left behind him on the north
aide of Nether Lochow a quantity of cattle .and commissariat .supplies of
232
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, MAY 18G7.
diiToredt kinds, which he was desirous to get back to, had time permitted ;
but Duncan of Lom's promptitude in bringing Wallace to the aid of Sir
Neil Campbell frustrated his plans, and he had already lost too much
time before Cret^-an-uni in the hope of being able to assail the position
of Sir NeiL
" MacFadyane socht aad a small passage fand.
Had lie lasar, thai mycht pass ofT (iiat land,
Between a rock and the great water sid,
But four in front, na ma mycht gang nor rid."
B. 7, L 663.
The rock here referred to could be no other than the ladder-rock "Creag-an-
araidh," though not specified by that name.' Were M'Fadyen only able
to reach the open ground at the foot of the river Urchay before the arrival
of Wallace, his vastly superior number of followers might have been all
available at once, and given him some decided advantage, or at least
secured for him a safe escape into Nether lx>cbow.
" In till Lnnchow was bcstis gret plcntl;
A quliill he thocht ther with his host to be,
And utherstuff Ibat thai hod with th&im brocht,
But all his crafft availyeit him rycht nucUt.
Dunkeno of Lorn baa sejno the sodeyno cace ;
Fra gud Camhelt he went to seik Wallace,
Sum lielp to get off thair turment & tey'ne."
But this was not to be. Wallace having arrived in the immediate
vicinity of the place, now well known as the famous field of Dalrec,
^ Barbour, in bis " Bruce," describes this barrier rock of the Pass of Awe, and
tells us that it was here John of Lorn (now returned from being a prisoner of Edward
I, in England) had laid ambush for King Robert the Bruce, who approached this
pass by the low road near the loch, while Douglas, with Lis light-anned archers,
went round Beinn-a-bhuiridb by Coire-glas, and descending by the Corrio of
Cruachan, took the men of Lorn in rear and flank, and completely discomfited
them. In describing this position Barbour says,—
"The ncrhjr half ww pcraloiu,
for a xlior-crsiT, bi-y and hldwniira
Raucht to tbv ac, fra ibv pu-a"
It is plain that if Sir Neil La<I led M'Fadyen at first through the pass of iho
ladder rock into the narrow area of the Brander, there would bo no occasion of his
again searching for it; it is therefore certain that Sir Neil must have led the
enemy in pursuit along the more circuitous path shove the wood.
TRADITIONS OF GLENORCHAY. 233
struck off to the left towards the foot of Beiim-looigh (Bonloi). At this
stage of their journey horses became an encumbrance, and dismounting
on the moor, Wallace placed himself at the head of his followers on foot,
and said encouragingly—
" Quhs gangs best lat se,
Tbruucb out tlie moss dclyuerly thai yeid,
Syne tak the hale, qubut off thai had moet dreid."
The hawse, or hals, here mentioned, is the pass called Bealach-choninish,
for the word " hals" cannot apply to Glenlochay, and much less to the
circuitous moor of Caoran, between Bcnloi and Glenialloch. This defile is
secluded, and in the present day only frequented by sheep and shepherds;
but it is situated on the north side of the stately Benloi, and was straight-
way in Wallace's most direct line of march. After his party had passed
through the hals, and descended into Glenlochay at Eas-morraig (four and
a-half miles above Dalmally Inn), they crossed, according to tradition, the
river XJrchay, near to the foot of the water of Lochay, and thence con-
tinned their march on open ground (but which contracts into a narrow
dehle just opposite the parish kirk of Clachan DLsart), between the river
and the hills of Craig' and Edindomcn.
" Endlong the schoir ay four in front tliai past;
Quhill tbu within asscmblit at the last."
Having now gained possession of the eastern and north-eastern entrances
of Bcinn-cruacban, Sir Neil Campbell exults in the sure persuasion that
M'Fadyen's opportunity to " pass off that land" was lost, and says
triumphantly,
" We haiff chewyss this hauld ;
1 trow to God thair wakynning gall be cauld.
U«r is na gait to flee yon peple can.
But roches heich, and water depe tc wan."
B. 7,1. 806.
The words "thair wakynning sail be cauld," show that the Knight of Lochow
' Here " Craig" is the name of a farm, which is so called from Creag-mor (or,
a chuag-mhor), on tho face of a hilt, and is a coaspicaous object in the Strath of
Glenurchay. But this is nut the Crag-mor, or Big Crag, alluded to by Blind Hurry
(B. vii. line 797), as the coutext clearly shows he there meant the great craggy
precipicee of Crc-ag-an-uu>.
234 fKOCEEUINOS OF THE SOCIETY, MAY 1867.
hud jjuiDud thu desired advautage under cover of night, and by stationing
lus men near tho site of the old farm-house of Corries, at a point still well
known as Creagan-Neill, or Neil's lh>ck,' he made himself master of the
pass of Coireglas, and also of the pass of larig-noe, which communicates
with the north side of Cruachan, and leads to the side of Lochetire.
Under cover of the morning mUt, Sir Neil, with his party, climbed the
shoulder of Beinna-bhuiridh, and turning southward, came in sight of
Lochow and M'Fadyen's advanced post above the wood of " Leitir," on
the slope of the hill. Tradition preserves the memory of the surprise
liere i-eceived by the Irish general, which I cannot better express than in
the school-boy saying with which I was familiar sixty years ago, i.e.,
" Creag-na-circe, air an do bhruich MacFadain a chearc nach dhfeith e ri
itheadhwhich literally means, " The hen's rock, on which M'Fadyen
boiled the hen he did not wait to eat."* This rock is situated near the
eastern extremity of the grooved rut or shelf marked on the face of Beinn-
a-bhuiridh, under the name Coire-na-ruaig, or the corrie of flight, in com-
memoration of M'Fadyeu's hurried retreat along this mountain tract,
which has all the appearance of having been of glacial origin. He was
hotly chased towards the central great corrie of Cruachan, and down the
pass of Brandcr, where he i-allied his men and offered a desperate haud-to-
hand fight. Sir "William Wallace, acting in concert with the liill party,
pressed forward by the lower road near the loch, and over the perilous
pass of the ladder rock, and while engaged in the deadly fray, gave orders
to spare the misguided Scotsmen that were mixed up in the Irish ranks.
Tradition relates that the Irish showed great personal bravery, though
ultimately defeated, or altogether destroyed; and that when pressed to
the last extremity, their leader leaped into the river Awe, at the Brander,
and whilst supporting himself against a stone in mid-current, managed to
cast off" some of Ills heavy armour. Having gained tho left bank, he ran
up fur some ^vay the slope of Cre^-au-mii, until in the crevices of that
great and craggy precipice he met with a cave, in which he tried to con-
^ Tbia rock usi*!! to bo tho auD-dial of the peal maJiert in Tullish and Stronnoli-
chau; the ehadow falling upon it in May indicating to them the dinner hour.
' Thia hen's rock on the hill ia on a line with the goose's rock (Creag-a-gheaoidb)
at the foot of tho river Mutray ; and used to have a tree, at the root of which there
was a " cam," mucli frc quented by tho " laffhan," or marten cat.
TRADITIONS OF QLENORCHAY.
235
coal himself until night might enable him to escape to a place of safety.
But he was followed by Duncan of Lome, who soon brought back the
fugitive's head, which was " steiled on a stayne," on the rocky pinnacle of
Creag-an-unL'
M'Fadyen's pinnacle and M'Fadyen's cave are still pointed out to
the tourist; but M'Fadyen's stone—Clach-mhic-Phadain—of which the
minstrel takes no notice, stood in mid-channel above the rock of Brander
until the year 1817, when the late Duncan Campbell, £sq., factor to the
Marquess of Breadalbane, employed the Glenurchay crofters in clearing
away a great accumulation of stones and rubbish from the mouth of the
river, in order to give a freer outlet to the water of the lake, and prevent
inundations at the foot of the Urchay in time of autumnal floods. One
notable result of the clearance of the bed of the river at the Brander was,
that a celebrated salmon-pool called " Linne-mhic-Fwen" was obliterated,
and its place occupied by smooth water, which almost looks like a con-
tiuuation of the lake before it bursts out into the brawling and rapid river
Awe. hI'Fadyen's stone stood lirmly imbedded in the shallow of this
pool, until at length it was in bad taste removed by gunpowder; and the
man who blasted it, by orders of the overseer of the work, is named Peter
M'Varquish, who still resides in Glenurchay. The interest attached to
the obliteration of the salmon-pool gave rise to a lawsuit between the
nuighbouring proprietors concerned in the matter, and it came out in
evidence that in former times there was here a deep ford used for transport-
ing cattle. This may be viewed as a conhrmation of the accuracy of Blind
Harry's statement, that when Sir Neil Campbell had crossed to the Creag-
an-uni side of the strait of Brander, and broke down the bridge, he became
inaccessible to the enemy,
" But through a furd, quhex narrow passage was."
The ford appears to have been confined to a bed of sand and gravel, which
' In the New Statistical Account, by misprint "Greag-an-aonidh" is written
" Craig-an-davuaidhand M'Fadyen's cave is mistakenly said to be still pointed
out in the face of Creag-an-araidh. The writer, however, meant " Creag-an-uni," for
be says that, to reach the cave, M'Fadyen had to cross the river Awe at the Brander,
No one knows the relative pusitiuns of these rocks better than the reverend author
of this able report; but he assures me he never saw it in proof, which accounts for
these errors in print.
236
PROCEEDINGS OP THE SOCIETY, MAY 1867.
formed a sort of bar at the foot of the salmon pool; and from my own
recollection of Claeh-mhin-Phadain, I should say it was a large boulder,
which stood well up above the surface of the water; and I also think it
not improbable that the bridge, which had been broken down according
to Blind Harry, may have been supported by this very stone as its centre
pillar. That some such support must have been used is obvious, for even
at the rock of Brander (wliich is situated on the left, or Creag-an-uni side
of the mouth of the river Awe), where the channel is the narrowest, it
appears to be about 26 yards or 80 feet wide; and on the right bank
there is no corresponding rock or bulwark on wliich the timbers of a
bridge could have rested •, but it would have been easy enough to have
raised a cairn of stones on either side of the river a little above this nar-
rowest point, on which the timbers of the bridge could safely rest In
fact, triangular cairns are used in the present day, on various parts of the
river, for the accommodation of anglers; and though these project several
yards from the north bank into the rapid river, it is surprising to find
how well they resist the current, which here runs at the rate of six miles
per hour.
By turning to the accompanying map (Plate XLII,), there will be seen
a small and detached sketch of the pass of Brander, which is intendctl to
illustrate the situation of the field on the farm of Fahnns, where the
M'Bougalls made their last desperate stand gainst their pursuers under
Bruce, who crossed the bridge just above the rock of Brander, and at the
lower extremity of Creag-an-uni; and thence along the south side of the
river Awe for about half a mile, until they came upon the open ground
marked " battle-field of Fahnns." This field of classic memory is about
three-fourths of a mile long by one-fourth of a mile broad. Cairns and
tumuli to the number, it is estimated, of about 150 or more, are scattered
over this area; and some of these are much larger than others, and are
placed away apart from the rest. The larger tumuli are of an oval form,
about 15 feet long, G feet broad, and 3 or 4 feet high ; they lie east and
west, and are supposed to be the huiying-places of distinguished leaders
and chiefs who fell on both sides.
The field of Crunachay also has its cairns; and it is probable that such
as attempted to make their escape on the Cruachan, or north side of the
liver, had rallied and fought there at the same time as their comrades who
TRADITIONS OF GLENORCIIAY.
237
had crossed the bridge, as related by Barbour, were engaged ou the oppo-
site side.
In the invasion of Wallace, the bridge had been cut down by Sir
Keil Campbell the moment after he and his followers crossed it to the
Creag-on-uni side of the strait at Brander; and being thus penned In the
defile, between the narrow outlet of Loch Awe and the steep and craggy
base of Cruachan, M'Fadyen's men, when attacked on the south Hank
of Beann-cruachan, and hurried back into the pass of Brander and the
strath of Crunachy, appear to have been all slaughtered or drowned, with
the exception of those Scotsmen whom Six William Wallace ordered to
be saved on that fatal day ; and who again, probably, stood him in good
service, as already meutioncd, when from Loch Awe he speedily retired
across the mountains towards Lochlomond and the Lennox.
A SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE ON THE OSSIANIC TALES
OF THE BBAES OF LORN.
About sixty years ago, ancient prosaic talcs, such as J. F. Campbell,
Fsq. has recently published, under the title, " Tales of the Western
Uighlands," were a familiar source of evening entertainment among the
peasantry and cottars of Glenurchay, where the ancient usages and cus-
toms were longer preserved than in many other parts of the country, from
the circumstance of its isolated situation, surrounded by mountain bar-
Tiers, and the comparatively late date of the dispersion of its old race of
inhabitants. The Fletchers, M'Nabs, M'^^icols, and M'lutyres, all of
whom cultivated Ossionie poetry, are now almost without s representative
in the district. Of the great abundance of this memorial poetic litera-
tore, about one hundred years ago, in that favourite retreat of the Celtic
muse (the birthplace of Duncan (Dan) MTntyre, whose immortal lays,
and purity of Gaelic, are monuments to his fame more enduring than the
granite column raised to his memory on Creogan-na-caorach), we have an
interesting account (see Report of Higliland Society) in a letter to Dr Blair
from Mr Alexander M'Auluy, dated 25th January 1764. In this letter
is included one from Lieut. Duncan M'Nicol, then residing under the
ancient paternal roof at Sococh, in Glenurchay, which is conclusive as to
the great amount of Ossianic poetiy then currently transmitted, by oral
238
PHOCEEDINGS OF THE SOClETy, MAY 18«J7.
tradition, among the old people of the community around him. Thia
gentleman was brother to the Eev. Donald M'Nicol, minister of Liemore,
so well known as the author of " Eemarks on Dr Samuel Johnson's
Journey to the Hebrides," first published in the year 1779 j and both
these brothers were nephews to that coiuleous and gallant chieftain,
iUexander Stewart of Innemahyle, of whom Sir Walter Scott writes with
sentiments of profound admiration, and with the warmest reooUections of
gratitude as the friend of his childhood, who first introduced him " to the
Highlands, their traditions, and their manners."'
It appears from the ajulamt of Archibald Fletcher (Report of High-
land Society, App. p. 2701, that James M'Pherson had paid a visit to the
M'Nichols of Arivcan, in the parish of Glenurchay; but no one knows
what contributions of Ossiauic poems he may have collected from their oral
recitation. At a later period, Dr Smith of Camphelton endeavouerd to save
from oblivion some floating remains of this native poetry. In the summer
of 1798, the venerable Dr Joseph M'lntyre, the popular minister of the
united parish of Glenurchay and Inishail, wrote to Dr Gamett, when on
a " Tour to the Highlands and some of the Western Islands" (published
1800), as follows:—" My son is anxious to procure some unpublished
Celtic tales ; but the truth is, that Dr Smith of Camphelton, who is a
native of this parish, and who has been indefatigable in his research for
these tales, has picked up everything of value of the kind in the country,
and published them, with translations. Indeed, the time is past, or
almost past, when a search after these amusements ' of the times of old'
would be of avail." The collections here alluded to as published by Dr
Smith, with translations into English, are the ancient Gaelic poems by
Ossian, Oran, and UUin, called " Sean Dana." Dr Smith, in his ** Gaelic
Antiquities," tells us he began his collection by at least twenty or thirty
years too late, to have insured a ripe harvest from the old reciters, who
had left no successors, and a great part of whose memorial treasures died
with themselves. These poems, like the Rigveda hymns of India, or the
Yararies of the Incas of Peru, were transmitted from one generation to
another by oral tradition alone.
Dr Smith's work was published at an unfortunate stage of the Ossianic
controversy, when M'Pherson's latter publications, "Fingal" and "To-
* Introd. Obron. of the ConoDgato, &c.
TRADITIONS OF GLENOKCHAY.
239
mora," niUcd doubts of their autheaticity, and threw dUtrust on all kindred
topics of Highland literature. From page 126 to page 130 of " Gaelic
Antiquities," Dr Smith frankly tells the public the method he had pur-
sued in editing the " Sean l)aua," jErom multifarious versions of the same
poems, clothed in various shapes of verbal expression, in different parts,
lines, or single words, mora or less obsolete. In eliminating what was
adulterated or spurious, and carefully collating and arranging the mate-
rials for the Gaelic version, from which he made his English translation,
he had to exercise his own independent judgment, and make a selection;
for no one could reasonably expect that on his small salary, as assistant
to tlie invalid minister of the poor parish of Kilbrandon, he would offer
to incur the expense of publishing every fragment and version of these
poems Just as he had received them, through difl'crent hands, or had taken
them down from oral recitation. But he gives the names of many of the
principal contributors; and when he oses any unusual liberty with his
originals, in piecing together disjointed hogments, he tells us of it in his
notes, and is always guided by the prosaic tales, which usually precede
the oral recitations, and are subsidiary to the subject of the poem. By
such a mode of proceeding he acted fairly and conscientiously, as became
a man of his unblemished moral and Christian character, that even in
these minor matters of editorial duty he never pretended or hinted that
he himself was able, if he liked, to compose such poetry. He never at-
tempted original poetry, that his surviving family know of; but his
beautiful translations of the English Paraphrases into Gaelic, which he
did at the request and with the approbation of the Synod of Argyll,
show him to have been an able translator.
Dr Smith's matured views of the merits of the Ossianic controversy, he
sums up very briefly in one of his letters to 2Ir Henry M'Henzie, which is
dated, Campbelton, 2lBt June 1802 (see Report of Highland Society):—
'* That the poems of Ossian extended their fame for t^es over Britain and
Ireland, is also clear from Barbour, Camden, Colgan, and many other old
writers of the three kingdoms. That at least the stamina, the bones, sinews,
and strength, of a great part of these poems now ascribed to him are ancient,
may, I think, be maintained on good grounds. But that something
modem may have been superinduced will, if not admitted, be at least
believed on grounds of much probability." The Ossianic poetry, by
240
PKOCBEDINOS OF THE SOCIETY, MAY 18C7.
whooisoover it originated, is unqnestionably of much greater antiquity
than the Dean M'Gregor of Lismore's Miscellaneous Collection of Gaelic
Poems.' These, as distinctly recorded in the Keport of the Committee
of the Highland Society of Scotland, on the authenticity of the Poems of
Ossian, contain some short pieces ascribed to Ossian, that are literally
translated by Donald Smith, M.D., one of the ablest scholars of his day,
and published in the Report,*
The poetic tales of the Peine, from time immemorial down to the last
Highland rebellion, and its consequent social changes, of 1745, were
intimately interwoven with the manners, customs, traditions, and pro-
verbial sayings of the Highlanders; and they embody the oldest national
traditions of the people, among whom these poems were cherished, in
their belief, as historical records of their heroic fellow-coimtrymen of olden
times; not as myths, but as relating to real persons and places.* For
many centuries the oral recitation of such tales must have tended to pre-
serve a special standard of the language of the Scottish Gael, side by side
with the more cultivated ecclesiastical and written Gaelic of the religious
teachers of lona. This popular idiom of native growth, familiar in the
songs of the bards, the venerable translators of the first edition of the
Scottish Gaelic Scriptures (natives of Glenurchay and Glendochart) availed
themselves of; and the Gaelic Bible, thus rendered on the best models of
vernacular speech, is now the acknowledged standard of our Scoto-Irish
dialect of the Celtic language, and the basis of the excellent Scoto-Celtic
Dictionary of the Highland Society of Scotland.
1 It IB iDlerestiug to know that the transcript of the Dean of Lismore's MS. col-
lection, made for (he use of Lord Bannatyne, is safe in the posseesion of the Rev.
Dr M'Intyre, Kilmanivaig. This copy, which appears to be a repetition of the
original one drawn up by the same learned author, the late Mr Ewen M'Lachlan
of Aberdeen, for the Highland Society of Scotland, had been for some time in pos-
session of the lato Mr Donald Gregory. The editors of the Dean of Lismore's book,
it appears, had also the benefit of its perusal.
2'This excellent man was brother to Dr John Smith of Campbelton.—See tho
tribute paid to bis memory by Mr Henry M'Kenzie, in Report of Highland Society.
3 See the Poems of Darthula; Death of CutbuUin j and Temora; and the Old
Statistical Report of Campbelton. See also Skene's " Highlanders of Scotland,"
vol. i. pp. 207-218.
ON THE FODNDATION OF THE CHURCH AT FOWLIS.
241
[We regret nuicb to record the death of Dr Archibald Smith, which
took place at Edinburgh, on the 28th August I8C8, before this paper
co»ild be corrected for press. Dr Smith was long a leading medical
practitioner in Lima, Peru, from which he retired some years ago. He
published Tarious contributions to the Medical and Scientihc history
of Peru, and contributed to our Proceedings " Observations on the
Inca and Yunga Nations, their Early Pemaius; and on Ancient
Peruvian Skulls," vol. v. p. 34; and presented to our Museum, " A
Collection of Pemains from the Ancient Tombs of the Inca and Yunga
Nations in Peru, &c." vol v. p. 61. Dr Smith also read a paper, on the
2d May 1868, entitled " Argyllshire Invaded hut not Subdued, by Uiigus,
King of the Picts, in a.d. 736 and a.d. 741." Tliis will appear in the
next volume of the Proceedings.—Ens.]
''Ka^irwre
ecu ACHULAOH
Ardchaiarv
CnUACH/^
CASTtes
COiAtei
t^ndrum
'LiCttS
Crmcoiuini
^//c
C/iAlO
OALMAUEY \ SOCKOCH
EAS
.OCHEARNHIAD
Srf/LIANS
CoT/ffn IP
DUCMARl yfi*
COMBIE
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CHOMMEL
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Roccd froi
STIRLING
i/uuch-y
ilDE OF THE RIVER AWE.LOOKING ACROSS AT CRUACHAN.
SKETCH TAKEN FROM THE LEFT,OR SOUTH
yol.vm:. Plate ^om.
;Proc6edii!<fs of th.e Socieiy of :n.riquaries of Scoti;iad
SKETCH MAE ILLUSTRATING THE ROUTE OF WALLAi
froiri Stirling to Locli Awe.
mm
Clach-a-Charra,
A Stone of Memorial at Onich,
IN LOCHABER.
By JAMES DRUMMOND, R.S.A., F.S.A. Scot.
EDINBURGH:
PRINTED BV NEILL AND COMPANY.
MDCCCLXVir.
From the Proceedings oj the Society of Aniiquarits of Scotland.
40 Copies Printed.
CLACH-A-CHARRA,
A Stone of Memorial at Onich,
IN LOCHABER.
At a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries in February 1863, ati
intereBtiiig paper was read by the Rev. Mr M'Lauchlan ou certain
standing stones in the island of Mull, traditionally said to have been
erected, not as memorial stones, but as direction posts to the ferry for
lotia. This bos been so far confirmed by the fact, that some of them
having been thrown down, nothing was found to indicate a place of
burial. A tradition of the same sort seems at one time to have existed
in East Lothian, in reference to a series of standing-stones, a few of
which only now remain. These, from their position, were supposed to
show the way to Edinburgh: unfortunately for the tradition in this
instance, there seems no doubt that originally they were memorial,
whatever use they may latterly have been applied to. The first of
these is one between Dunbar and the village of Spolt. Towards the
end of last century, during farm operations the workmen came upon
a perfect cemetery of rude stone-coffins, so many that a number of
the farm-yards in the neighbourhood were paved with the large
flags of which they were made; but whether urns or other relics
were found in the graves I could not ascertain, although many urns
have since been found in this neighbourhood. In the middle of this
field of the dead stood the monolith alluded to. A few miles further
west, under fhe shadow of Dunpender, an ancient Brilisli fort, ulaud two
4 NOTICE OF THE OLACU-A-CUARRA AT ONICU, IN LOOBARER.
more of those stones, near which graves Lave been found; the opening of
one of these will be in the recoUection of some of the members of the
Society who were present on the occasion. Then there etaods another
In a field at Athelstaneford, having its tradition; and no doubt many
more have been destroyed. In our own immediate neighbourhood we
have many such standing-stones, the largest and most important of these
being the Caiy-Stane; and near this, at one time, stood the Camus-Stane,
which was ruthlessly brohen up some years ago for road-metal. There
is one in the grounds at Morton Hall and another near Craigmillar
Castle. In passing, I may mention a carved stone built into the wall of a
farm-house near this, representing a castle, and between the towers two
shields of orms very much defaced; it is said to have been taken from a
hunting seat of one of the Jameses in this neighbourhood. The Buck-
Stane is built into a wall by the roadside near Morton Hall, which, on a
close examination, is evidently the remaining portion of a wayside cross.
And there is the well-known Bore-Stane, now preserved on the top of a
wall at Morningside; this, I need scarcely mention, is the stone on which
was planted the banner of James IV. as the rallying point for his army,
on the Borough-Moor, previous to the disastrous battle of Flodden.
Wherever one goes such stones are found, some with traditions, but the
greater majority without.
Id the parish of Lurophanan, Aberdeenshire, isa very interesting stone,
or rather rock; here it is said Macbeth, when mortally wounded, rested,
previous to taking refuge in the Peel Bog, where he died; his cairn is
nut far from this. Near Finzean House is one called Dardanus' Stone,
and in a field close by is an immense cairn raised to the same. Some
of these early monoliths, however, have a tradition attached to them of
a comparatively modern date. A striking instance of this is the "Tombli
Olavers," at EilliecraDkio, now so called from being near the spot where
Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, was killed in 1689. But all
stones of this class are not consequently of prehistoric times, so to speak;
fur had we not only the other day, a stone erected by " The Men," to
commemorate the miraculous parting of the waters of the Spey, that the
body of " a certain woman " might he carried across to hor lost resting-
place?
But the stone to which I wish particularly to call attention i.s
NOTICE OV THE CLAOH-A-CUAItRA AT ONICH; IN LOCIIAREU. 5
tlie "ClacIi-a-Cbarra," at Qnicb, in L<X!baber. About the meaDiog of
this word tliere are differences of opinion. The Ber. Mr Stewart,
minister of the parish, writes me: " It is difficult to translate literally
into English, but which means, as nearly as possible, The Stone or
Pillar of the cunningly-carried-out-reprisal." Others again say that it
means the "Stone of Betribntion or Vengeance;" while some one, who
seems to know his Oaelic well, writing a notice of it in the " loTerness
Courier," says the word simply means " the Stone Pillar, Obelisk, or
Monolith." In counection with this stone there is a very remarkable
tradition—so remarkable, in fact, that although first told me by the Bev.
Mr Stewart, I made inquiry in various quarters to ascertain whether it
was known away from its own immediate locality. On asking Br Mac-
Intyre of Fort-William if there was any tradition in connection with this
stone, he related the same story, and moreover stated, that from his earliest
years fae bad heard no other. On applying to the Bev. Mr Clark of Eil-
malie, who is deeply versed in such matters, he gave the same tradition
" as all he had ever been able to gather about it." As his version is shorter
than the others, I give it. Comyn, the last Lord of Badenocli, and
his two sons, having been present on tbe occasion of the marriage of the
three daughters of one of bis clansmen, wished to enforce the savage
privilege of the mercheta mulierum, handing over the others to his sons.
The clansmen very naturally rose in arms against this monstrous oppres-
sion. Cumyn and his sons fled. The young men were overtaken and
killed; but the father escaped, and wandered as far as Stratb-Errlck,
where, after ascending tbe long slopes above the Biver Dee, he seems to
have died of exhaustion, tbe name of the place being since "Sindhe
Cliuimein," or Comyn's Scat. He was buried at Fort-Augustus, the
Gaelic name of which is " Cill-a-Chuimeio," or " burial-place of the
Comyn." I should'mention that Mr Clark thinks the Comyns had
nothing to do with it. A tradition such as this is valuable only when
it accords with other known historical facts; in the present instance, as
far as the Coinyn and his Iwo sons are concerned, it must fall to the
ground, the genealogy of the Lords of Badenocb of this name being well
known. The first was Walter, who, marrying the Countess of Menteth
in 1231, l>ecame Lord of Badenoch, and dying without issue in 1258,
was succeeded by his nephew John, called the Black ; he was succeeded
G NOTICB OF TBE CLACH-A-CUARR& AT ONICH, IK LOCUABER.
by bis only eon John, called the Hod Comyn, who was stabbed by Bruce
in the convent of the Minorite Friars at Dumfries in 1305; he again
was succeeded by his only son John, who died without issue in 1325-6.
The name of the place where he is said to have died, and the name
of the churuli or burial-place—-Killie Cumine, or Church of St Comghan
of Ardnaraurcban, of the Scottish and Irish Calendars—being somewhat
similar in sound, no doubt, suggested tbe Comyns in connection with the
tradition, that family having at one time been the lords superior of the dis-
trict.' In this opinion tbe Rev. Dr M'Lauchlan and other autbori-
ties quite concur. Many objections, no doubt, will be started to this
strange tradition, which I have given as related to me; yet, with all
tbe objections which may be stated against it, the very existence of
such a tradition in such a locality is extraordinary. It is not my in*
tention to enter into any discussion upon this vexed question, as to
wliether this law was ever enforced in its more barbarous form, or was a
mere tax payable on the marriage of a daughter; if tbe former, it would
appear, even at this early time, to have been in disuse, as the very pro-
pnsal was considered so offensive, that nothing less than blood could
efface the insult. Moreover, if the tradition is founded on fact, it would
require no great stretch of imagination to suppose that the usual tax,
whatever that may have been, not being forthcoming, the chief made
the proposal which ended so tragically. There is also a superstitious
tradition in connection with this stone, of a ctass common in many
countries. I was told in all seriousness by a brother of the farmer, that
on one occasion it was taken up to form a bridge over a small stream in
' When tl)g trndiUon was first mentioned to me, I suggested, in connection with tliu
namo " Killie Cumine," the possibility of a church and a saint, but my informunt
scouted the idea, never liaving heard of such a suint. Afterwurds, when writing
liim, I mentioned St Comghnn or Cumine, and other early ecclesiastics of the name,
wlio might either have built the churcb, or after whom it might liave been called,
and also t<ild bim of tho gonenlugy of the Comyns of Bodenocli; but to no cfiV-ct:
he, liko the Invfrnexs Ciuritr correspondent, sUinding up for the ClacU-a-churra
and its tradition,* in defiance of facts, " as a monument erected to pcqictuato the
m<-mory of a deed that at once hurled a petty tyrant from bis usuqied lordship of
Lochubcr and Biuleiioch "!
■ "Prubably," iiv wrltvi inc, "about the iliav ut (he ltv<l Cunijrn."
NOTICE OF THE CLACH'A-CHAUBA AT ONICH, IN LOCUABKK. 7
the oeighbourbood; the workmen in tbe morning found it gone, having
of its own accord wandored back and taken up its own position,—putting
one in mind of tbe Santo Bambino, which was sacrilegiously stolen from
one of the sidechepels in the Church of Ara Coeli, but was found in the
morning in its own blessed niche, having miraculously walked back
through the night for the edihcation of the faithful and the benefit of
its priestly guardians. The height of the stone is 6 feet 8 inches, its
greatest breadth 3 feet 10 inches. 1 am sorry to see that my friend Dr
Wilson has ranked this among the class of perforated staiiding'stones,
having traditions connecting them with Pagan rites and superstitions,
from there being two small weather or water^worn holes through it, of
about 2| inches diameter, which, when the stone was first erected, must
have been much smaller if there at all; however, I am certain that had
Dr Wilson described the stone from personal observation he would not
have expressed such an opinion.'
I would allude to another standing-stone in this [lart of the couotry—
at the head of Loch Sunart—which having been used for a practical
purpose, had its name changed to "Olach Brangais," or Stone of the
Branks or Jouge, the staple and part of them still remaining, as we find
on the pillars of all our market-crosses.
) rrclij»toric Annals of Scotland. By Daniel Wiison, ISCS.
A CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF FLODDON, 9th
SEPTEMBER 1618. From a Manuscript in tub Possession of
DAVID LAING, Esq., LL.D., V.P.S.A. Scot.
The llanuscript paper, which I take this opportunity of bringing before
the Society, fell into my hands accidentally, having obtained it, about
two years ago, from a sale of autographs at London. In the catalogue its
title was sufficiently vague, viz.,—" Batayle ayaymt the Slccltev.—M.S."
There being neither description nor date, it was impossible to form any
conjecture what it might be. On receiving it I had no difficulty in
observing that it contained an account of the Battle of Floddon, on the
0th September 1513. Some provincialisms seem to denote that the
writer was a Northumbrian. It consists of four detached leaves or eight
pages, on paper, written in a hand of the earlier part of the sixteenth
century ; the outer leaves being wanting. The narrative does not differ
much in its statements from the account given by Halle, 1548, and
reprinted by Grafton, 1569, in their Chronicles. But any contemporary
statement of what occurred on the most calamitous day for Scotland that
has been recorded, cannot fail to be possessed of some importance. At
present it is not my object to illustrate or examine tlie details of the
narrative.
As the MS. makes no mention of finding the hody of James TV., which
Halle states was taken to Berwick, and there identified by the Earl of
Surrey, and by two of his courtiers, who had been taken prisoners, we
may conclude, that the following communication had previously been
transmitted to its destination.
It is well known that various reports obtained credence at the time
respecting the fate of the King. Pitscottie mentions these in detail, and
his statement so far explains the difficulty of idcntUying his person. Ho
says that, after the battle, the English " came throw the Feild, seeking
thair noble and principal! men that wer slaine, and to have spyed if they
could liave seine the King of Scotland. But they could not find him,
albeit thay fand sundry in his luferay j for the same day of the Feild he
142
PROCEEUINOS OF THE SOCIETY, MARCH 1867,
caused ten to be in bis awin luferay, lyko unto his anrin present apparcU,
atnangis quhom wcs twa of bis a^in guard: the one ciillcd Alexander
M'CulIo, and the other the Squyer of Cleisch, who wer both verrie lyk
in niakdorae to the King," &c. There can, however, be no kind of doubt
that the King's body was actually discovered and carried to London, and
deposited in the monastery of Sheen (or Richmond), the tact of his
excommunication by the Pope having precluded his interment in the
church of St Paul's, as proposed by his brother-in-law, Henry the Kighth.
—See the Appendix to Dunbar's Poems, 1865, vol. i pp. 287-292.
The above notice was prepared before it occurred to me to examine the
contemporary printed account of the Battle; and I was therefore rather
surprised to tinJ that they were identically the same. This, however,
did not lessen the value of the MS. upon companng the two copies.
The printed account has the following title
" Hereafter ensue the trewe Encoontre or Batayle lately don
detwe.nb EnGLANDE and scotlajcde. In whiche Batatle the scottshe
Kynge was slayne." At the end, " Emprynted by me, Richard Faqucs,
dwellyng in Poulys Churche Yerde." No date; four leaves 4to. Of this
tract only one copy is known. A fac-similo of it was ^^Rrprinied 1809,
uwlfT reoiite of Mr Haslewood"—a sufficient guarantee for its minute
accuracy; and this I have been enabled to verify by actual comparison of
Haslewood's reprint with the original tract, which evidently was defective
in the middle. It was purchased, at that time, by the Marquess of Bland-
ford, and at the sale, known as the White Knights' Library, in 1819, it
brought L.13, 13s. It is now preserved in the library of s. Christie-
Miller, Esq. of Craigentinny, at Britwell House, Buckinghamshire.
While tliis printed tract supplies the deficiencies at the beginning and
end of the Manuscript, the latter fortunately contains what is of greater
liistorical importance, the middle portion wanting in the printed tract
which relates to the Battle itself, and thus furnishes a complete copy of
what may be considered in the light of an Original State Paper. It is now
printed with no other alterations than correcting the punctuation, re-
jecting ordinary contractions in MSS. or printed books of that age, and
using capital letters for proper names. Of the two, the MS. is the more
accurate.
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an account ok the ijattle of kloud dn.
U3
Hereafter ensue the trewe Encountbk or Bataylb lately don be-
twene Enolande and scotlande : In wuiche Batayle the scot-
t8she Kynoe was blayne.
IT The manor of thadnaunccsyng© of my Lord of Surrey trcsouricr and.
Marshall of. Englande and leuetcnunte general] of the north parties of the
same with . xxvi M. men towardcs the Kynge of Scottes and his . Armye
vewed and nombred to an hundred thousando men at the leest
Firste, my sayd Lorde at his beynge at Aivnewlk in Northumbrelando
the iiij. daye of. Scptembre the v. yere of the Reygne of Kyngc Henry the.
viij., herynge thot the Kynge of Scottes thenne was remoued from Nor-
hame and dyd lye at Forde Castel and in those partyes dyd moche hurtc
in spoylyng robynge and brennynge, sent to the sayde Kynge of Scottes
Ruge Cros purseuante at Armcs to shewe onto h}mi that for so moche as
he the sayde K)'nge contrary to his honour all good reason and con-
scyence, and his oothe of Fidolite for the fenne entartnynge of pcrpetuall
peas betwene the Kyngis hygncs our. Souerayne lorde and hym, had
inuaded this Raalme spoylad brente and robhyd dyucrs and sondcry
towncs and places in the same. Also had caste and betten downe the
Castel of Norhame and crewclla had murdered and slayne many of the
Kynges liege people he was commen to gyuo hym baytal. And desyred
him that for so moche as he was a Kynge and a great Prynce, he wolde
of his lusty and noble courage consent tberunto and tarye the same. And
for my sayde Lordes partie bis Lordeshyp promysed the assured accom-
plyashement and perfourmiince therof as he was true knyght to God, and
the Kynge his mayster The Kynge of Scottes bcrj'ngo this message
reynued and kepto with hjTn the sayd Ruge Cros purseuante and wolde
nat suffre hym at the tyme to retoume agayne to my sayd Lorde.
The. v. daye of Septombre his Lordshyp in his approchynge nyghe to
the borders of. Scotlande, mustred at Bolton in Glendayll and lodged
that nyght therein that fuldo with all his armye.
The ne.xte day beyngo the wj daye of Septembro the Kynge of
Scottes sent to my sayd Lor of Surrey an harolde of his called llaye, and
144
PKOCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, MARCH 1367.
demaunded if that my sayde Lorde woldc iustefye the message sent by the
sayd purseuaunte Euge Cros as is a foresayd sygaefyinge that if my Lorde
wolde so doo it was the thynge that moost was to his joye and comforte.
To this demaunde my lx)rd made answere, afote dyuers lurdes knyghtes
and gentyhnen, nygho iii myles from the felde where ys the sayde harolde
was appoynted to tarye, bycanse he shulde not vewo the Armye that he
commaunded not oonly the sayde Huge Cros to speke and shewe the
seyde wcrdes of his message But also gaue and comyttcd unto hym the
same by Instruccyon sygned and snbsciybcd with his owne bande whiche
my sayde lorde sayd he M'olde justefye, and for so moche as his Lotdshyp
conceyued by the sayde Horolde bow. joyous and comfortabe his message
was to the sayde Kynge of Scottes he therfore for the more assuraunce of
his message shewed that he woldc be bounden in. x.M.li and good suertes
with his Lordshyp to gyue the sayde Kynge batayle by Frydaye next
after at the furthest If that the sayde Kynge of Scottes wolde assyne and
appoynte any other Erie or Erles of his Kealme to be bounden in lyke
maner that he wolde abyde my sayde lordes commynge And for so moche
as the sayd kynge of Scottes recyuued styll with hym Euge Cross purseu-
aunto and wolde nat sufl're hym to retoume to my lorde my sayde lorde in
lyke and semblable moner dyd kepe with hym the Scottesshe. harolde Hay
and sant to the sayd Kynge of Scottes with his answere and fiuther ofier
as is afore rehersed. A gentylman of Scotlande that accompanyed and
came to my sayde lorde with the sayde harolde Hay and thus Hay con-
tynued and was kepte close tyll the commynge home of Euge Cros, whiche
vas the next daye after; and thenne Hay was put at large and lyberto to
retoume to the Kynge of Scottes his maystere to shewe my lordes auswres
declatacyons and goodly offers as he had hade in euery behalue of my
sayde Lorde.
The same daye my Lorde deuyded his Annie in two bataylles that is
to wytte in a vaunwardo and a rerewarde and ordeyned my Lorde
Hawarde Admorall his sone to be Capitayne of the sayde vaunwarde and
hymselfe to by chefe Capitayne of the rerewarde.
In the breste of the sayd vaunwarde was with the sayde Lfjrde Ad-
morall ix. thousands men and under Capitaynes of the some brestc of
the hatayle was the lord Lumley, Syr Wyllum Buhner, the baron of
Hyllon and dyuerse other of the Bysshopryche of Huresme, under.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF FLODDON.
145
Seynt Cuthbertis banner the Lorde Scrope of Vpsall, the Lordo Ogle, Syr
Wyllyam Gascoygne, Syr Cristofer Warde, Syr Johnn Eueringham,
Sir Walter Griffith, Syr Johnn Gower, and dyuers other Esquyrea and
gentybnen of Torkeshyte and Northumborlaed And in ayther wynge of
the same batayle was iii. M. men.
The ' Capitaine of the right wynge was Mayster Edmonde Hawarde,
sone to my said Lorde of Surrey, and with hym was Sir Thomas Butler,
Sii' John Boothe, Sir Bic. Boolde, and dyuerso other Esquyers and gentil-
men of Lancashyre and Chasshire.
The Capitaine of the lefte wynge was oolde Sir Maimaduke Constable,
and with hym was Mr William Percye his sonne in lawc,' William Con-
stable his brodir, Sir Bobert Constable, Marmaduke Constable and William
Constable his sonnes, And Sir John Constable of Holdemes, with dyuers
his kynnesmen, allies and oder gentihnen of Yorkshyre and Northumber-
lande.
In the brest of the battell of the said rerewarde was. v. thousande men,
with my said Lord of Surrey, and vnder Capitaincs of the same, was the
Irorde Scrope of Bolton, George Darcy Sonne and heyr to my Lorde
Darcy, Sir' Philipe Tylney broder in law to my said Lorde of Surrey,
Sir John Bocliff, Sir Thomas Methine, Sir William Scargill Sir John
JTormavell, Sir Bauff Ellircar, Sit Bic. Abdeburghe, and dyuers oder
Esqnyers gentillmen and comyns of Yorkshir. And in ather wynge of
the said rerewarde was * iij ' thousande men.
The Capitaine of the right wynge, was the lord Dacre of the Northe,
and with hym ' xv. C. of the Bosshop of Eleis men, sent frome out of
Lankashir, And the capitaine of the left wyng of the said rerewarde, was
Sir Edwarde Stanley accompanyed hooly with dyuers knyghtts and
gentilmen of Lancashire.
My Lorde of Surrey beyng thus ordered and accompenyed as is afore
said removed upon • vi. myles to a ffelde callid WoUer Hughe witbynno
• iij • myles of the king of Scottes, wher as every man myght se, how the
said king of Scottes did lye with his Army upon an high hill in the cgge
of Cheviotte, withynne • ij ■ myles of Scotlande, wherunto he had removed
' Ttie maauscript leaves commcDce witli this para(i;rupb.
' The black-Iotter tract Ims " his SoDa-Elawo."
3 Here the priotod tract breaks ofT with the words Lordt Dartj/, Sir.
146
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, MARCH I8C7.
from Forde Castell, ovir the watir of Till, and was enclooeed in thru
parties, with three great mountaynes, soe that ther was noe passage nor entrc
vnto hym but con waye, wher was laiod marvelous and great ordcnance
of gonncs, that is to wit " v • great curtalles • ij • great colveryns • iiij *
Sacrcs and ' vi * great Scrpentynes as goodly gonnes as hauc bene sene
in any realme, And beside theme, wher othir dyners small ordcnances,
and the same day at night my Lorde and all the army did lyo upon the
said grounde caUid "WoUer Haghe.
And conceivyng the said King of Scottes to lye soe etronglye as is afore-
said and that ther was a fair plaine at the nethir parte of the said moun-
taines callid Mylnfelde, my said Lorde of Surrey tarryed upon the same
grounde, all the next daye, the vij"* day of Septembr and the nyght after
trustyng that the King wolde have removed dounwarde to the said grounde
to have gyven hym battel!, And seyng that the said King of Scottcs
contynued still in the same mountaine without removjmg in any ^vise and
all his ooste with hym, my said Lorde doutyng of the said Kings aboi<l and
tarrying, because it was suspect, he wolde have fled away in the night,
insomyche that he was withynne • ij • myles of his oune realme sent unto
hym Ruge Cros pursivannte at harmes, And eftsoones required hym to
come doune to the said plaine of Mylfeilde, wher was convenyent grounde
for the metynge of twoe Armyes, or to a grounde bye, callid Floddon or
to any othir indifferent grounde for twoe batells to feght vpon.
At this tyme the King waxed angry, and displeased towarde ray said
Lorde, and wold not spek with Ruge Cros pursivaunte, but had reporte of
his message, by a gentillman which made relacion ayeine of the same to
Ruge Cros on this maner with like tennes : The King my maister wills
that ye shall shewe to Therle of Surrey, that it besemeth hym not, being
an Erie, so largely to attempte a great prince, his grace well take & kepe
his grounde and felde at his oune pleasour, and not at the assignyng of
Therle of Surrey, whoom the King my maister supposith to deall with some
wichecrafte or sawcery because he procureth to feight vpon oon the said
grounde. The said Ruge Cros having this answer, retomed ayeine to my
Lorde and shewed his lordship the same.
My said Lorde of Surrey conceivyng that the King of Scottes did
contynually rest and remaine in the said foretres invironde with the said
mountain and that ho wolde not in any wise remove frome the same to any
AN ACOOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF FLODDON.
147
othir mdijQcrent groundr. to abide or gyve batell, rvmoved bis ifelde the
viii"* day of Septembre being our Ladies day the Natiuitie, and passed ovii-
the water of Till, and coutynually all that day went with the said hoolcAruiy
in aray, in the sight of the said king of Scottes, at the farthest fromo bym
withynne two myles, and that night loged yndcr a wodside callid Bannor
Wode directly ayeinsto the King aforesaid, and his amiy Albeit, ther
was an hill betwene the hoostes for avoiding the daunger of gonne shoote,
and notwithstanding ' iiij * or ' v ' daies afor passed ther was litlc or noe
^vyne, ale, nor here, for the people to be refresshed with but that all the
hool army for the mooste parte wer enforced and constreyned of necessite
to drynko water, duryng the same tyme and season without comfortc or
truste of any releiff in that behalue. My said Lorde of Surrey, and the
said army, the said daunger and wantyng of drynke notwithstanding,
coragiouslye avaunced forewarde to get betwene the said King of Scntts
and his realme of Scotlande countenansyng to goo towarde Scotlande or
Barwike, The said King conceiving this and as it is confessed fered that
my said Lorde and the Army of Englande wolde haue gon in to Scotlande,
did cause his tents to be taken vp, and kcpyng the height of the moun-
taine, removed with his great power and pusaunce of people out of the
said great forteress towarde Scotlande, And forthwith the Scottes by thair
crafty and subtill emaglnacion did sett on fire all such thair fylthy strawo
and litter wher as they did ly and with the same made suche a great and
a mcrvelous smoke that the maner of thair araye thcrby couth not be
espyed, Immediatly, my Lorde Hawarde with the vawarde, and my Lord
of Surrey with the retewarde in thair mooste qwyke and spedy maner
avaunced and made towarde the said King of Scotts as faste as to tbaim
was possible in aray, and what for the hilles and smoke long it was or
the aray of the Scotts couth be conceived, and at the lostc, thay appcired
in • iiij * great batells.
An<l as soone as the Scottes perceived my said Lordes to be ivithyn the
daunger of thair ordenauco thay shoto sharpely thair gonncs which wer
vcmy great, and in like maner our partye recounterdo them, witii thair
ordenance, and notwithstanding that othii our artillary for warre couth doc
noe good nor advantage to our army because they wer contynually goyng
and advans}mg vp towarde the said bUles and mountaines, yit by the
help of God, our gonnes did soe brekc and constreyn the Scotbshe great
148
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, MARCH 18CT.
army, that some parte of thaitn wer enforscd to come doune the said hilles
towarde our army, And my Lord Hawarde conceiving the great power of
the Scottcs, sent to my said [Lordc] of Surrey his fader and required hym
to advaunce his rerewarde and to joine his right wyng with his left wyng,
for the Scottes wer of that might that the vawarde was not of power nor
ahull to encounter thaim. My said lorde of Surrey perfitely vnderstand-
tog this with all spede and diligence, lustely, came forwards and joyncd
hym to the vawarde as afor was required by my said Lord Hawarde, and
was glad for necessitc to make of two hattallcs oon good battell to aventure
of the said * iiij ' hatelles.
And for so myche as the Scottes did kepe thaim eeuerall in iiij. hatelles
therfor my Lorde of Surry and my Lorde Hawarde sodenly wer constreyned
and enforced to devide thair army in oder iiij. hatelles, and ells it was
thought it shulde haue bene to thair great daunger and jeoperdy.
Soe it was that the Lorde Chamherlaine of Scotlande' being Capitaine of
the first hataill of the Scotts, fercely did sett vpon Mr. Edmonde Hawarde
Capitaine of th'uttermoste parte of the felde at the wests side, and he-
twene thaim was soe cniell hatell that many of our partye Chesshirmen and
other did flee, and the said ^faister Edmonde in maner left alon without
socour, and his standerde and borer of the same betten and hewed in peces,
and hym eelff thrisc strykyn doune to the groundc, how be it like a
coragious and an hardy yong lusty gentilman he recoverd againe and
faught hande to hande with oone Sir Davy Home, and slew him with his
oune hande, and thus the said Maister Edmonde was in groat pcrell
and daunger till that the lorde Dacre like a good and an hardy knygbt
releved and come vnto hym for his socour.
The secunde hatell came vpon my Lord Hawarde, The thirde batell
wherynne was the King of Scottes and mooste parte of the noble men of his
realme came fercely vpon my said Lord of Surrey, wliich two hatelles by the
help of Allmyghtty God wer aftir a great conflict venquesshcd, overcome,
bettyn doune and put to flight, and few of thaim escaped with thair lyves.
Sir Edward Stanley being at the vttermoste parte of the said rerewarde on
th'Est partie, seing the fourth hatelles redy to releiff the said King of Scottes
' The printed tract resuniee here with the letters de, htyingi CapUane, &c. It is
likely, therefore, that the two inner loaves of the sheet would have supplied the
defective portion.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OP FLODDON. 14l>
batcU, coragiously and like a lusty and an hardy knyght, did sett vpon
the same and overcame, and put to flight all the Scotts in the said batell
And thus by the grace socour and lielp of Allmyghtty God victory was
given to the realmc of Englande, and all the Scotissh ordcnanco wonnc and
brought to Ettell and Barwike in surtio.
IT Heraftir ensucth the Names of sonderey Noble men of the Scottes
slainc at the said batell and feld called Brainston Moor,
fiirst the Ring of Scotts
The Archebusshop of Saint Andrews
The Busshop of Thilee
The Busshop of Ketnes
Th abbot of Tnchaffrey
Th abbot of Kilwenny
Therle of Mountroos
Therle of Craforde
Therle of Aigyle
Therle of Lennox
Therle of Lcncar
Therle of Castelles
Therle of Bothwell
Therle Arell. Constable
Lorde Lowet
Lorde Forboos
Lorde Elwestou
Lorde Juderby
Lorde Maxwell
Mac. Keyn
Mac. Cleen
John of Graunte
The Malster of Ang^'is
Lorde Boos
Lorde Sempill
Lotdo Borthike
Lorde Askill
Lorde Da^rissie
130
PROCEEDns'GS OF THE SOCIETY, MARCH X867.
Sir AlexnD<lor Setton.
Sir John Home
Lorde Culwen
Sir Davy Home
Cuthbert Home of FastcastcU
()ver and above the said persons, tber ar slaine of the Scottes vewcd by
uiy lorde Dacre, the nombr of xi or xii. thousand men and of Englisshmen
slaine and taken presoners vpon -xij' C,—Dyvers prisoners are taken of the
Scottes, but noe notable personnc, oonly Sir AVillm Scott knight councebmr
of the said king of Scottes, and as is said a gentilman wcU lernyd, Also
Sir Jolm Forman kniglit broder to the Bussbop of Murrey, which Busshop
as is reported, was and is mosst principall procurour of this warre; and an
othir callid Sir John of Coolchomo; many othir Scotissh presoners couth
and myght haue be taken but thay wer soe vengeable and cruell in thair
foight3'ng that when Englisshmen had the bettor of thaim thay wold not
save thaim, though it soe wer that dyuers Scottes offerd great somes oi
money for thair lyves.
It is to be noted that the fielde began betwene • iiij ■ and ■ v • aftur
nuone, and contyuued with3rn night, if it had fortuned to have been further
afore night many mo Scotts had bone slaine, and taken presoners. Loving
be to allmyghtty God all the noble men of England, that wer vpon the
said ITclde booth Lorde and kuightte ar saiff fromc any hurte and noon of
thaim wantyng, save oonly M. Harry Gray [anil] Sir Humfrey Lisle booth
prisonners in Scotlande Sir John Gower of Yorkeshirc and Sir John
Boothe of Lancashire boith wantyng and as yitt nott founden.
In this batell the Scottes had many gret aduantages that is to witt, the
high hilles and mountaines, a great wynd with thaim, and soden raine, all
contrarie to our bowes and archers, It is not to be douted, but the Scott«
taught manly, and wer detcrmj'nned outhir to wj-nne the ffeldc or to dye,
they wer also as well appointed as was possible at all points with ormes
and liamcs, Soe that few of thaim wer slaine with arrowes, how be it the
billes did beat and hew tbaim dowue with some paino and daunger to
Engluishmen,
The said Scottes wer sou plainly dotermynned to abide bataill and not to
flee, that thay put fromc thaym thair horses and also put of thair boitte
AN ACCOUNT OP THE BATTLE OF PLODDON-
151
and shoU, and faught in the vampis of thair hoses every man for the
moost parte with a kene and a sharp eper of. v. yerds long, and a target
afor hym, And when thair speres failed and wer spent, then thay faught
with great and sharp swerdcs, makylng litle or noe noes without that that
for the mooste parte, any of thaitn wolde desir to be saved.
The ffelde wher the Scottes did Scottes did logge, was not to be reproved
but rather to bo comendid grctlye, for ther was many, and a great
nombr of goodlye tents and mych good stuif in the same, and in the
said felde was plenty of wyne, here, aill, beiif, multon, salt hssb, cheis
and othir vitailles necessarye and counvenyent for such a great army,
.\lbcit our army doutyng that the said vitailles had bene poisonned for
thair distruccion, wuld not saue but vtterly thaim distroied.
IT Hereafter ensueth the Names of such Noble men as after the ffelde
wer made Knyghtes for thair valiaunte actes in the same, by my
said Lorde Therle of Surrey.
ffurst my Lonlc Scrope of Vpsall
Sir Willm Percy
Sir Edmonde Hawarde
Sir George Darcy
Sir Gascoigne the yonger
Sir Willm Middelton
Sir IVillm Maleuoray
Sir Thomas Bartlay
Sir Marmaduk Constable the yonger
Sir Chri8toj>hor Dacre'
Sir Jhoun Huothomo
Sir Nicholas Appleyarde
Sire Btlwarde Goorgy
Sir Kauf Ellercar the yonger
Sir Johnn AV'yIiyby
Sir Edwarde Echinghame
Sir Edwarde JIusgruue
Sir Johnn Stanley
' The manuscript breaks off with tho name of Dacre. The names that follow are
supplied from the black-letter tract.
152
FBOCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, MARCH 1867.
Sir Walter Stonner
Sir Nyniane Martynfelde
Sir Raife Bowes
Sir Brian© Stapleton of Wyghall
Sir Guy Dawny
Sir Batfe Salwayne
Sir BicbarJc Malleuerey
Sir William Constable of Hatefelde
Sir William Constable of Carethorpe
Sir Chxistofer Danby
Sir Thomas Burght
Sir William Rous
Sir Thomas Newtoun
Sir Roger of Fenwyke
Sir Roger Gray
Sir Thomas Connyers
My Lordo Ogle
Sir Thomas Strngewase
Sir Henri Thiuates
My Lordo Lumley
Sir Christofer Pekerynge.
Sir Johnn Buhner.
IT Empryntcd by mo
Richard© Faqucs dweUyng
In Poulys Churche yerdo.
A iacsunile of the title page of the black-letter tract, with the wood
cut, is prefixed to p. 143, Mr Christie-Miller having, while these
pages were at press, kindly entrusted me with the use of the original for
this purpose. The appearance of the leaves show clearly that their pre-
servation was owing to their having served as fly-leaves to some other
book.
A CfONTEMPORARY ACCOUNT OF THE EARU OF HERTFORD'S SECOND
EXPEDITION TO SCOTLAND, AND OF THE RAVAOES COMMITTED BY
THE ENGLISH FORCES IN SEPTEMBER 1M5. FROM A MANUSCRIPT IN
TRINITY COLLEGE LIBRARY, DUBLIN. By DAVID LAING. Esq^ F.S.A Scot.
It was a favourite scheme of Heorj the Eighth to accomplish the union of the
two kingdoms, after the deoth of his nephew, James the Fifth, by a matrl-
monUl alliance between the infant Princess Mary and his only sun, afterwords
Edward the Sixth. This scheme, which might have produced the happiest re-
suits, partly owing to his own impetuosity, was defeated by the French faction,
or Roman Catholic party, in Scotland, and of the internal warfare which en>
sued, the present communication will furnish but too sad an illustration.
Of the first Expedition into Scotland under the Eurl of Hertford, in May 1544,
there is a contemporary account printed the same year at London, and repub-
lishcd by the late Sir John G. Dulyell, in his Fraymtnt* of Seoti*h Hi*t»ry,
1800. The similar narrative, by William Patten. Londoner, of the Duko of
Somerset's Expedition in 1.547, is also reprinted in that voliune. On the first of
these occasions, the town of Edinburgh (except the Castle) was set on fire, and
continued burning for three successive days. The Palace of Holyrood, Leith,
and most of the adjoining towns, houses, and villages, were also consigned to
the flames. The later Expedition is connected with the disastrous battle of
Musselburgh, and the renewed spoliation of Edinburgh. Mr Tytler is the only
historian who has furnished any details of the intermediate Expedition under
Lord Hertford, in September 154.5, when the ravages of the army were limited
to tbe Border religious houses and viUages. The original documents, in the
State Paper Office, mode use of by Mr Tytler, have since appeared in tbe series
of " State Papers published luider authority of His Majesty's Commissioners,"
vol. V. 1836, 4to.
Lost autumn, liaving spent some days in examining, by the kind permission
of the Rev. Dr James H, Todd, some early manuscripts in Trinity College
Library, Dublin, I mot with a brief contemporary journal of that Expedition,
which seems to have remained unnoticed. It forms part of a miscelianeous
volume (marked E 4.17-), written chiefly about the middle of the sixteenth
century, and formerly attributed to Ni<'holas Xarbonne, who, in the reign of
Elizabeth, was advanced to the dignity of Ulster King of Arms. Tbe reco^d^
2
of the Herald's College of that period are not so well preserved as to show
who was " Yorlc Herald"—for so the writer of this journal styles himself—
who accompanied Lord Hertford in HA5. A circumstunee incidentally noticed
in the manuscript, and kindly pointed out by Hr Todd, compared with the fol-
lowing dates, leaves no doubt in regard to the person who preserved this brief
record of the Expedition. At the end of the volume, evidently in tho same
hand, in an account of the interment of Jenico Preston, knight, Lord Baron and
Viscount of Gormanstown, who died 1.1th of October 1559, the writer says,
" then hit* eotte of army* home hy me, Ulster Kynq of Armbs of all Jerland."
It does not appetir that Narhonne ever held the office of York Herald ; while
Bartholomew Butler, who was apparently the writer of the Journal, was Rouge
Croix, 13th January 1535, became York Herald 14th June 153d, and Ulster
Kino of Arms Ist June 1553.—It may be added, that Nicholas Narbonnc,
the son of John Narbonne, Richmond Herald, who died in the Tower, Mid-
summer 1540, was appointed Bluemantlo Pursuivant of Arms 2dth August
15.50, Richmond Herald 27th July 1559, and became Butler's successor, as
Ulster King of Arms, 7th July 1566. The paper, however brief and scanty in
its details, is an historical document of some value, being the narrative of an
eye-witness. The orthography is so peculiar as to render it occasionally
scarcely intelligible; many of the words are rather to be guessed at by the
sound than the common forms of writing.
Such as it is, I now beg to submit it to the Society, with this note, to render
it more intelligible, that the Earl of Hertford having assembled bis army, on
the 5th of September 1545, advanced rapidly through Xorthumberlond, crossed
the Border, and on the 9th of that month encamped before the town and abbey
of Kelso.
" The Erie of Harford departhit from Nywcailell the 5 day of Settember;
and all his armey had a day apointit to mytte att the Stannyngllon' vpon Crocke
a More,' the N day of thes present, & all the caryadge and ordenannce and
monyffion: and fo the dyd: the faid Erie rod from Nywcaftell to Anwlcke
a Satherday, and their he reil Sunday ; and a Monday to Cbeidyngham ; and
a Tywlleday to the forfaid Ston on CrackamowTe, and paft fart" a myll, and
their campct; and a Wenefday paft by Warke, and fo a longs the water in iij
batelles,* and fo paft the furd w> the foreword and the moft part of the battaill
and their ordenannce, and the reywaier* Twyd rofle fo fuddenley, that hit was
3 or 4 cartf and fum horftes owertrowen^ hy the wioUence of the water, and
* the Standingstone. ' Probably Crookbom (muirt), between Ford and Comhilt.
' hirthcr. * companies, battalions.
' the river. * uvurthrown.
n
fuin Aowff iuA and waiett,' and this the rereward and Tome of the battaiell
vampeit on the other Qd, and all o' wittailes wer dier, thee Wenefeday did 1 Youab-
fumeyn the abbaye of (.'hetfle [Kelao], and thes day the faid Abby was batterid
and enterid by day, and by mydnyght hit was wone by the Sponards par force.
Scleyn of the Scuttes to the nomcr of 40, and thakeyn^ to the uoiner of 5, and
elkape by nyght 13; of the w*''* 13,2 was tbakyn the nexht day, and a xi elkape
in lywf; a turfeday the compe cam all to the fayd abbey and town, as well
the that wer on the one fyd as the other. The erle of Comerland hud the four-
ward, and the lord Scrope him, and S' Robard Bowes, lord warden of the
mydell marches, and many other knyghts, and the lord Lattemer, and 300 Ita-
liuns and Albcnefee on horlbac, and ij unnconnes^ of Spanords, and fome horlhe-
men of them, and the nuirlhall; and in this wangard^ was the Mr of the ordin-
nance and his horfhemen, and a 100 hungoners, and in the battaill the Eric of
Herford, lordlowttennaunt, and my lord tStowrtuun, and Srliawf Sadhellcr, tref-
furyer and coafelleir, and my lord Xewell and his fathers power, and his brother
Tho', and my lord Thu' Greymarke, and the baron Hilton, the lord Latenier,
Sr J. Doon, Sr J. Norris, Sr Piers a Lighe, Sr Loveros Smyth, Sir J. Brierton,
Sr Roger Laflell, Sr Leonard Bcckwithe, Sr Thomas Kolkcrawtll, and iij nnngencs
of Sponards, and fome of them a horlbac, and the Clcwoies all, and many knyghts
and fquiers mar, and the leries^ men, ij angenes fometymes in the bataiell and
fomtymes in the fowr-word, and in the riere-ward the lord Docers and the lord
Connyers, and Sr John Morkom, and Sr Richard Mann, capitain generoll of the
rierewardfi horlhemen, and Sr Robort ConOable, knyght. and many mor knyghts
and efquers. Thes day tho wittaillcs* wer yett Ikond and nott plenty, this day
the Spanard did fpuiell the Abbey att their will and euery man ; a friday melTur
was tbakeyn* for to fortifie the faid Abbey, butt hit was or nown tbotarmennyt"
the contrarie, theis day was [bfa/ii], tbeis day my lord commondyt to briektho
abbey and tbake of the leied,' and outer myen'" thetowres and strung places, and
to owaier trowe" all; thes day byng fryday, my Lord rood to Rockelborow [Rox-
burgh] to vis hit'- for to make a Arong coAell their, w'^i' is as Arung a place to by
fuurtcficd as any is in Scotland by tuyen''* ij riveres w^'' myghtby brouwght tocom
a bowt the faid rocke, and the w^'* rever he wold, the on is att his fut and the
other w'in a Aones caA; thes place wrowt well, came to o' campe agayn thes day
was ilij of the Carres, and ij of the erle of Angoies U fcrwaunts, and iij of the
' wet. * Irish. * take i>ll' thu lead.
' takea * victuuLi. >" uuUuruiinu.
* unsigns, ur compauius. ' measures w«re takuu. " ovurthnm.
' vanguard. * Imt it wus crc nuun delvi-iuincd. " sou it.
' l>GllVCI']l ItVu.
4
lord Howmes taken and others, and the' of Hum csftell [Home Castle] had
tbaken a Ton of Tbo** Blanhaflett, and a noter as good as he, and ij mor ; and a
Satterday my lord TVardon of the myddell marches, and the knygbt marfhall Sr
Henry Knywett, and my lord Xewell, all the horlhemen a moat, Engles, Clewoies,
and Italians, and Straliotts, and Spanards, to the nomer of iiij towflent and mor,
and the birynd ij ahheyis, and 30 townes, and com worth a 100011 ft', 9 myell
Scottes, a myell byeycnd MourofTe [Melrose]; and a Sonday the abbey of KeUe
was razed, and all put to royen,' howlTes. and towres, and ftypeles, and the wit-
taicles com, and cartes loden again w* the leed* of the fud abbey, and my lord
lowttennant did fend ij greit gones* to Borwick and Sr Robert Bowes, and ^ other
gonestotake acaftell ij myll from thes place, called Dawcowe. 3 Skotts fcleyn,
and cartes sent to Work loden w* the Icid of the abbey, and w< hym 500 horlfes and
an annceyn of Spanards, and the ij angenesof Iryesroen, and the towke the faid
towre parforce, and returyn ogayn to thes campe. Yeftcrday byng Satterday,
whas 3 Scottes men hang in thes conipc, and 9 fcleyn^ in fild be the borfliemen,
and the Scottes fcly we 3 Italians that rod owt of the fyght of their fellowes ; and
on Monday wy depnrtyt from Kelfey abbey thatwas, toRocketborowe menes, and
their compeit that nyght; and from thens to Bongedwourthe a t)'wereday, and
bimyng and theiftroyng all that day bod coryn* and howfles, and hee' and turff,
and a wenetfceday burend Jedwourd [Jedburgh] abbey, and the fryers menore,
and all the townes ij myell beyond, as Cavaiers [Carers], and Denam [Denholm],
and Mento, and Montoncrake [Minto-croig]. and Bedrowle, and Towtos, and
Newton, and Langeton, and Hatlcnden, and the Bame helles [Bamhills], and
the Benetts, and Ancram, and many mor, and retumyd to campe that Wenef*
day to Egelford. and owaier tryw the Moile nexht momyng, and bimd Chesford,
and outheir mynd" the caftell, but hit whos tow tyke' and hitt cowd nott by,'"
and To thes Thurfeday deftruying and bimyng, campeit att Warke that nyght,
and their tharid" friday and Sathcir[day] the campe, bowt" nil the carthcs"
went for leed to Kelfey, and the horfhmen bimyng and deftruyng all that day,
and fu fare as in to w'in half a quarter of a myell of Howme caftell, and maid
all the Scottfmen that were a brod to requiell mto the caftell walles, and ij of
theirs thakeyn that day, and by them reportit that their was 10,000 Scottes
men a bowtt the faid caftell, and that the erie of Angoies was com their the
nyght be for and 10 cartes wt ordcnaunce and munycion, wi* I tbynyk all was
' thcj. * both corn. it could not bo.
" tarried.
" but.
'• carts.
lead.
(jToal (nnn.
* undermined,
it nof Ion thick.
5
nutt tr/we, bowt funiat hit was,' o' men birnd To ner the caAell, that wy kod*
Dott fee the caftell fomtymes nor the caftell owe, and the of the caflell owaier
fott owft' all many tymee, and a mongca ows yett tho howrthe son bowt on*
horflie, thankes be to God; and thcs down, my lord lowthcnnaunt retumeyd to
Wark w' all hia iiij thowflannt horlhemen and no mor, and loft neuer a man all
that day. and yt hit was the most dongerows day that wy* hod in all the days
that wy war in Scotteland; the cartes all of o' campe wer com to Worke lodon
wt the abbey of Kelfey is leed, and leyftt nothyng be heynd, and cam lawft' hom
to the faid caftell of Warke ; and a Sonday wy remowid and poll the water of
Tuyd on the eft marches of ^^'a^k, and bimd and deftrued Egland, and the
nonery cold Colftreme, and fo to Fogga, and their campeit that nyght, and many
a town bimd that day; and a Monday Downes [Dunse] towre and towne oware-
trown" and birnd, and all the pores w<=i> is I.' towns and willaiges by longeyng to
the faid Downs ; and the nexht day to Weft Nylbed, w* was bimd, and owaier
trown the caftell, and many mor, as hit (hall apier in a notheir placo of theis
bowke, the names of all the townes, and thowres, and abbeys, and fryers,
and nonerys, and a charter howfle ; and theis down wy campe theis tywfleday
att o'^ Lady church [Lady kirk] w^in Scotteland ; and a WenefTeday towke
mofters of all o' bolle oft," and o*" armey deflblwithe w^ o' ennemys is land ;
and att nown cam the lord Lattemer to thoke heis leywe, as many otbeirs did, of
my lord Lowteniiannt, but my forfoid lord Lowtennannt maid hym knyght in
the faid campe, and w' hym 12 mor, that is to fay, 13 in all, as hit (hall a pier
by their names; and theis down, euery man that was nott goon* departed in to
England, fome to Norham Caftell and town, fome to Sr Thomas Grey of Hur-
ton's howff, fome to Banbery, fome rod farther, and fome rod all that nyght,
and cartes alfo. The Spanards leyfif'attFofterand Horfley is bowlles, and in the
wilaigges" their abowt; the ClewuyfTes att Norhamlb' and town and caftell, the
Italians alfo in that fruntyers, and sorteley'* after, the Italians cam to Nyw caftell,
and of them mofteres thakeyn and fent to London ward; and the AlbannelTcs
alfo ; and after them the Cleywoiefes cam to Xyw caftell, and the" wer fent to
Dowram [Durham], and from dens to'Bewerley'* for to wynter; and after them
the horiheinen, Spanards carles the navara was fend to London; and the futte-
men morceid to Nyw caftell, and their moftras thaken of them and payd the
remaner in Nyw caftell and in Dowram, and in BUhope Acqueleand, and theis
' bat sooic of it was. * we. * not gone.
* we cwuld. • oTerlbrown. '• left.
* overshot us. ' parish, which has JiO. " viUogos.
* ihojburt none but one. * musters of all our whole host. " shortly.
" they. " theace to Beverley.
6
wy th«' partid after oil theu orthewyd by the lord Lowtenant the 2 day of
October, and came to London the 22 day of thes fame. Qod faue the Kyng
and my Lord Prince Edoward. Amen."
According to the Earl of Hertford's despatches, accompanied with plans, which
are not preserved, it was intended to convert the Abbey of Kelso into a fortified
place. But this plan was abandoned; and in bis report of their subsequent
proceedings, he exultingly informs the English monarch, that so much damage
by fire had not been dune in Scotland for the last hundred years. 1 shall merely
add, by way of remark, as it is obvious that, during the intermediate period
of fourteen years till the Reformation, the injuries wliich these Ecclesiastical
buildings sustained could have only been partially, if at all repaired, it is attri-
buting too much to John ICnoz and his brethren, to give them the credit for a
work of devastation which had previously been done to their bond.
The York Herald, or the writer of this Journal, refers to a list of the places
destroyed during this invasion, as elsewhere contained in his book. No such
list is now in the volume; but its loss is supplied by the following paper,^ if
the one was not copied from the other, which is preserved among the Burleigh
State Papers, and printed by Haynes. It is curious, and may appropriately
be here inserted, as furniBhing an important contribution of its kind to the to-
pography of Roxburghshire. U is entitled.
Tub Names of the foatassses, Abbeys, Fbeue-bouses, Mabkbt Townes,
Villages, Towbes akd Places brent, raced, and cast doonb, bt the com-
HANDUENT OF ThEELL op HEaTFORDE, THE KlNO's MaJESTIE's LieOTENANT
Geneball in the Northe Partes, in the Invasion into the Realue of
' this way they.
* From the CuUoctiuD of Stato Papon in the reign of Henry VIII., &c., from IS42 to 1570,
publiabcci by the Rev. Samuel Ilaynes. London: 1740, folio, p.52. In the samo Collection,
pp. 43 51, will be found anotber similar document, entitled, " Exployls don upon the Scotts,
from tbo beginDing of July, anno 36 R. R. Henrici Stb." It eonKuts of an abstract of exploits
recorded in various letters, from tbo 2d July to the 17tb Kovember 1544. The som total is
thus given
" Towns, Towers, Stedes, Barnckyns, Parisbo Churches, Bastell-Uouses, 192
Scotts slain, ......... 403
Prisoncn taken, ........ 816
Nolt, 10,386
Shope, .......... 12,492
Nags and Geldings, ........ 1296
Gayt 200
BolUofCom, .... .... 850
Inright goarc, &c."
7
Scotland, bbtwrkni: the 8tu of Seftlmber and the 23d or tuk same 154/>,
the 37th yeabe of the Kjko's Koyall Majestie's hosts fbouspebods and
victoriouh Reione.
•* On eA« River o/Twede.
" First the abbey of Kelfo raced and ca(t doim; the towne of Kelfo brent;
the abbey of MelroITe a^tasMewrofe, Barnyck, Gawtenfide, Banyelton, Overton,
Heildon [Eildon], Newton of Heildon, Mazton, Lafeddon [Lessudden], Merton,
BeamondHde [Beamcrside], Loughefeatte, BateAieie, the abbey of Drybrughe,
the town of Drybrughe, tlie towre of Dawcowe [Dalcove] raced. The towne of
Dawcowe, Rotlierford, Stockltrother, Nowtowne, Trowes, Makerfton, the Manor-
hill, Charter-houfe, Lugton Lawe [Lunton Law], Stotherike towre raced; £all
Meredean, West Meredcan, Flowres [Floors], Gallowe Lawe, Broze Lawe,
Bruxe mylne, the water-mill of Kelfo. Sum 33.
'* On the River o/Tiviot.
" The freers nere Kelfo, the Larde Hog's houfe, the barnes of Old Rockef-
borough tou ne, the towre of Rockefborough raced, the towre of Ormefton raced,
the towne of Ormefton, Neyther Xefebett, Over Nefbet, Angcram [Ancrom],
Spittell, Bune Jedworth, the two towrcs of Bune Jedworth raced, the Lard of
Bune Jcdworth's dwelling-houfe. Over Angeram, Neyther Angcram, Eaft
Barnehill, Mynto Crag, Mynto towne and place, Weft Mynto, the Cragge End,
Whitrick, Heftington [Hassindean], Bank-hefllngton, Over-hcftlngton, Cotes,
Efshebanke, Carers, Bryeryords, Denhome, Langton [Lanton], Rowcaftle,
Newtowne, WbitcbefterhouTe, Tympinton. Sum 36.
'• On the Water o/Rowle [Rule].
" Rowle Spitlel, Bedrowle, Rowlewood. The Wollea, CrolTebewghe, Don-
nerles, Fotton, Weafl less. Two Walke mylnes, Tronnyhill, Dupligis. Sum 12.
" On the Ryver o/Jedde.
" The abbey of Jedworthe [Jedburgh], the Freers there; the towne of Jod-
worthe, Hundylee, Bungate ; the Bunkc end, the Neyther mylnes, Houfton, Over
Craling, the Wells, Neyther Craling, Over Wodden, Nether Wodden. Sum 1.3.
" On the Ryver of Eealle [Kale, or Kail] in Eafte Tividale.
" Over-Hownam, Neyther Hownam, Hownham Kyrke, New Gatelhaugbe;
the towre of Gateflioughe, Over Grobet, Neyther Grobet; Grobet mylne, Wyde-
open, Crewkedlhawes, Prymfide, Mylne Rigge, Marbottell, Otterburne, Cef-
8
forthe [Cesford], Over Wbitton, Neither Whitton, Hatherlandu, CesforUi bvirne,
Cesforth maynes, Moive-houTe; the Cowe bc^ge, L/nton, Caverton, Sharpelrige,
Thr(^don, Prisgle ftede, the Mayne-houfe, Eckforde, MoflehouTe, Weflerbarnes,
Grymeflej [Grahamslaw], Sanies, Heytoo on the Hill, Newe Ha we, Maflendcne;
the Brig end, St Thomas Chapell, Maxwell heughe, Eolt-Woddon, Weft-Wod-
don, Howden. Sum 45.
" On the Rifver of Bowbent [Beaumont] tn Baft Tividale.
Mowe, Mowe Meufles, Clifton Cote, Colerofle, Ellheoghe, Awtun bume,
Cowe, Woodfide, OweTnopfide, Felterthawes, Clifton, Haihope, Kirke Yettam
[Yetbolm], Towne Yettam, Cherytrees, Barears; the Bogge, Longboule, Fow-
merden. Sum 19.
" Hecles [Eccles] Parish in the Marlle.
" Long Ednara, Little Newton, Newton mylne, Naynetliome, Naynethome
mylne, Over Stytchell, Nether Stichell, Cowngccarle [Qucenscaim], Lagere
uorre, Oxemoure, Kenetfide, Myckell Harle, Lytell Harle, Haflyngton, Maflyng-
ton maynes, Landen [Lambton], Hardacres, Stancfallde; the abbey of Hecles,
the towne there; Newtowne, Heclcflicales, Grafton Rig,Spittlelheugb,OverPlew-
land. Nether Plowland, Over Tofts, Nether Tofts, Clerkelcas, Headrigge, Pud-
dingran, Howden, Maifmgton, and the towre raced; Letam, Bulchefter, Bough-
trige, Newbigging, Wranghome, Wester Peles; the Kernes, the Bumehoufe,
Tbankles, RowyngAon, Gryraoley Rigge, Cowys, Werke, Whinkerftanea, Fowge
Rigg^, Foge Bmike, Sir James Trennate's houfe, Ryfeley, Bettrildide, Elbank.
Sum 57.
" Donee [Dunse] Parish.
" Fowge [Fogo] Towne, Suftcrpethe, Sufterpetho mylne. Fowge mylne, the
Walke mylne there, the Hill, the New Mylne, Sleghden, EaAefeld, Hardames,
Stanemore Lawe; the Biers, Wodchede, Colldefide, Lownefdale; the towre of Red
Brayes raced, the towre of Pollerd [Polwarth] raced, PoUerd Towne, Pollerwood,
the Bow-Houfe, Selbume Rigge, Stocke Fote; the towres and barmekyn of
NeA>ed [Nisbet] raced; the towre of NeA>ed, NesA>ed Hill, Cron^e, Calledrawe,
the Brigend, Gretrig, Growell Dikes ; the towre of Dunce raced, Dounce Lawe,
Knocke; the toivne of Dounce, Hare Lawe, Borticke, Eaft Bortick, Parkehed,
Calldefide, Black Dikes, Byrkenfide, Kaydeiheale, Redheughe, MonderAon,
Nanewarre, Elfoyle, CromerAeyn, Kawkey Lawe, Sampfon's Walles; the Brigg
End, the Check Lawe, Dounce mylne, the Eaft Maynes. Sum 52.
" The Caftell of Wetherburne, Mongo^e Towre, Pcle, Rigge, Kemergeyme,
9
Kemergeyme majnea, Redbeughe, Rcdea booTe, Godds Maliibne; tbe Eaft
Mylne, the KcUawe [Kelloe], Edrame; the Newe Towne, Blackoter Caftell raced;
the Tovrne of Blackcter, White Lawe, Eull Lawes, Weft Lawes, Swynton, and
Wbitfonne. Sum Sum Total, 287
^^'hereof (it is added) are—
" In Monaftcries and Frearboufes, ....... 7
In CaftcUs, Towres, and Piles (Peels), 16
In Market Towues, ......... 5
In Villages 243
In Mylnes, ........... 13
In Spytells and Hofpitalls, 3
287"
NOTE
ov a
COPPER PLATE AND BRONZE ORNAMENTS
FROM CLUNY,
uv
.7f)IlN STUAKT, Ksq., Sec. S.A. Sot.
From the ProfiiJiii^ii of the Stoeitly of Antiipiariea of HoitlauJ,
Vol. VI. ScfrioH l8c4-<>.'>.
KDlXBUlUiH:
PRlJJTIiD BY NEILL AND COJirANY.
NOTE
OF A
COri'ER PLATE AND BRONZE ORNAMENTS.
Sir Kobert Strange, the celebrated engraver, joined the Jacobite arniy
in 1745, and continued to act along with it as one of the corps styled
the Life-Guards, till the defeat at Culloden conipellcd him to fly for
shelter to the liills, where he endured many hardships in the course of
his wanderings.
Shortly before the battle of Culloden, the first battalion of Life-
Guards, commanded by Lord Elcho, was billeted upon Culloden House.
One evening, after Strange had retired to rest, as we leam from an in-
teresting fiagment written by himself,' an express arrived from Inver-
ness about midnight, with an order for him to wait on the Prince as soon
us possible. He rode directly to Inverness, and was shown into the
Prince's bed-chamber. Koon after, the Prince, accompanied by Sir
Thomas Sheridan and Mr Murray the secretary, came into the room, and
Strange was informed that His lloyal Highness wished to have his
opinion, " relating to a circulation of one species of money or another,
which it had been thought expedient to issue for the service of the army
in general, but more paiticularly amongst the soldiery."
The result was, that Strange prepared a device for the notes which
Avere to be issued. " It consisted," he says, " of nothing but the slightest
compartment, from behind which a rose issued on one side and a thistle
* DL'iinisteun'B Lite of Strange, vol. i. pp. 60-55.
ON A COPPER PLATE AND BRONZE ORNAMENTS FROM CLUNY.
on the other, as merely ornamental; the interior part I meant ehouM
bo hllcd up by clerks with the specific sums which were intended, &c.;
and I proposed etching or ongTa\'ing, in the slightest manner for expe-
tlition, a considerable repetition of this ornament on two plates, for the
facility of printing; that each should be done on the strongest paper [so]
that when cut separate, they should resist in some measure the wear
they must sustain in the common use of circulation. The Prince had at
this time taken the compartment out of my hand, and was showing [it] to
Air Murray, and seeme<l much pleased with the idea of the rose and the
thistle. In short, everything was approved of, and the utmost expedition
recommended mc."
This Seems to refer to plates for small sums, as Strange proceeds,—
" "We now talked of a circulation of Larger sums, which would likewi.««
be required. I gave it as my opinion, that I thought they could not do
btdter than issue notes ii) imitation of tho Bank of England, or the Eoyol
Bank of Scotland, in the execution of which there was very little labour;
that it would be nece&sary, if possible, to see such notes, in onler to con-
cert a form how they were to be drawn up, by whom paid, or at what
period; if at a given time, that of the Restoration, I imagined, would be
the properest. This produceil a general smile."
Strange then describes the dilHcu)tie.s in getting hU materials prepared
in Inverness on tho next day, which was Sunday, but he succeeded in get^
ting his copper plate on Monday about noon. " I had passed that morn*
ing," he proceeds, " in making a composition of etching varnish j but had
not perfectly proportioned the materials, for I well recollect the aqua
fortis playing the devil with it; but which was repaired mth some little
trouble. In short, it mattered not much, provided the purpose was
answered; and indifiurent as things might be, I would at this moment
purchase a series of them, even at a considerable expense, to decorate, as
it were, this volume with the more juvenile works of its author. Such
would be a curiosity of the kind. The reader may naturally conclude,
that <»n this orca-sion I lost not a single hour. Solicitous in tho service in
whieh I w;ui employed, my activity was of course redoubled. I laboured
till at uiglit, and waited the ai)proach of day with impatience. Not
a fortnight had elapsed when I was ready to begin printing, and had even
fonvarded the notes for a larger circulation."
ON A Col'lTU PLVTK ANIt IllloN/K Ol;NA\II-NTf> I HoNF <1 IN\.
At Hii" jiiiK'tiin' i-unic ti'lin^s that tin- Puhr «<f ('uutln il m<l his
ani.y Imd ]i.i.ssfj th'* Sjn-v nn ihi' llStli of April. Stnin^^f tln'ii 'Mi'iit tu
th«' .srcn-taiA's »>1H< i-, ami <h 1ivit»-<1 ()\rr th" wIkiIi- of Ins »'har;:i', ti lectin v
Willi till* Kii_!ish imtos wlii'h lif h.nl oot as jMltriim I'm lii-- laii.<' imti"?.
Tlu- plaU- whirlj, h> tln' kiiiil ••oncout <'f iU own. r. I "hiiu M.n'{ih<'r-«oti,
is now I'xliiliiti'il, is withmit ihniht on.' of tiioic picp iir 1 1\\ him, aIthoH'_li
Fif,'. ».
Fig. 1. Fig. 2.
I' ()i lilt nil 11", I'liiui] ill )i Bug it ill iiil'hrr'K', in Li < luitu r, 1 i(\i n
tlm (h•^il'" is sonn-what ililf rt-iif frmu that ri'l'i'rrcil to hy Stiangi'. in tin
fr»i.Tin nt of .intohhigT.ipliy just ijiiotisl. Its history ♦•mnot ho trao-il
from th>' tiiiii- vhon it, aloiio willi th i tluT mntvrials for iirintiiio iinti-s,
M.is jil.ii isl in th'' liaii.ls of tli'- S«i-ii't-ii v, Mniray. It was tontni on tin-
wi i-t I ml of Loi'li I^i'ggaii ahimt th'itv Ji"iri ago, an 1 it is Mijiponcil tliat
it had liis-n diopp' •! tln-re in soiiu' of tlx* iiastv iiioVetiionts which foUoWid
th« rout of rnlioilrii, It was presented to Clnnv tiv (l<'ner.il Iliieli .
"i ON A COri'ER PLATE AND BRONZE ORNAMENTS FROM ( Ll'NY.
The plate coutaing eight noteg, of which oDly the litst four are filled up
with the suing of " one penny," " two pence," " three pence," " mix
pence." All the notes are of the same design, the letters P. C. in the
centre, surmounted by a crown and tlu-ee feathers, and with a tniphy of
warlike weapons on each side. The engraving is slight, but is marked by
the delicacy and skill of the great artist, as >vill be seen by reference to
the accompanying plate.
The bronze ornaments now exhibited, belonging to Cluny hlacpherson,
were found in a box on the Hill of Benibhreac, in Lochaber, under 6 feet
of moss, by a shepherd of Colonel David Ross of Tirindrish. They con-
sist—First, of a circular piece or baud of bronze plate (tig, 1), measuring
13 inche.<i across its greatest diameter, in the centre of which is an aperture
K inches in diameter. Traces of a minute Vandyke pattern remain along
its outer edge. Second, of a horse-shoo shaped plate of bronze (tig. 2),
measuring in its greatest length 2 feet 1 inch; the greatest breadth of
the belt or plate is at the top or head of the horse shoe, where it measures
3| inches across, and from this part it tapers to the lower extremities,
which are 11 inch in breadth, and are ornamented by a small vandyke
pattern. Tliird, an oblong cup-shuped ornament (tig. 3), 8 inches in its
greatest length, by 4 inches in breadth, and 1^ inch in depth, which has
been pierced apparently by the thmst of some weapon.
It has been supposed that the horsc-shou oi-nament was placed above
the circular plate, and both formed the ornaments of an ohlong-sliaped
shield of wood; the cup-shaped portion being the oblong boss of the
shield, which was probably placed in the open part of the hoise-shue
plate.
NOTE OF A DONATION OF FOUR SCULPTURED STONES FROM MONI-
FIETH, FORFARSHIRE. By JAMES NEISH, Of thk Laws, Esq., F.S.A.
Scot. (Plates IV.-VI.)
The sculptured stones of Monifieth, which have been portrayed in the
Spalding Club volumes, having been transferred to the National Museum
of Antiquities, Edinburgh, it seems desirable to repeat in the Proceedings
of the Society of Antiquaries any authentic information that has been
handed down to us concerning the ancient history of the locality with
which they have been so long connected. The name of the parish has
been variously spelled, Monifuit, Monefut, Mouifod, Monifuith, Monifieth
The church dedicated to Saint Kegulus* was in the diocese of Saint
Andrews, is situated on the bank of the estuary of the Toy, within sight
of the ancient city of Saint Andrews, the tower of Saint Begulxis there
forming a striking object in the distant view. The kirk of Monifieth
was given to the Abbey of Aberbrothoc by Gilchrist, Earl of Angus, dur-
' The Edinburgh Almanack of 1706 gives Tmel Pair as held at Kirkton of Moui-
heth.
72 PKOCEEDINGS OK THE SOCIETY, JANUARY 9, I»«71
iug the reign of William tlie Lion, about 1207. Malcolni, the fifth Earl.
gnmdsoQ of Gilchrist, gave the abthaiie lands of Monifieth to Kicolas.
SOD of a priest of Kirriemuir, in 1220. About 1242, his daughter Maud,
Countess of Angus, confirmed a grant to the Abbey of Abcrbrothoc of
certain lands south of the church of Monifieth, which the " Keledei" held
in the lifetime of her father, with the toft and croft on the east of said
church. That is the only evidence preserved to us of a Culdee establish-
ment having existed at MonifietK The church, which was taken down
in 1812, had existed from before the Peformation. When the present
church was erected, the foundation was laid at a depth of 10 feet, through
accumulated, rich, black soil, mixed with human bones. One skeleton
was found entire, which had been laid on its bacL
The largest of the sculptured stones is of shaft-like form,' and must
have been discovered at an early period, for it had been converted into a
lintel for the " Queer" door of the pre-Reformation church; it was after-
wards, with two more, built into the walls of the present church. They
were removed in order that both sides might be copied by the artist for
the Spalding Club, and are now presented by the Heritors of Monifieth to
the Museum of the Society of Antiquaries, Edinburgh, for preservation.
In 1864, when Messrs Cosmo Innes, Joseph Robertson, and John Stuart
visited Monifieth, to Inspect those stones, the proprietor of a cottage
adjoining the church, hearing of their object, sent to the Rev. James G.
Young, minister of the parish, the fourth sculptured fragment,® which
had been found when a well was being dug in his garden, hlr Young
has kindly allowed this stone to be transferred to the Museum, along with
the other three, and it is now presented with them to the Museum of the
Society. (See Donation List, p. 59.)
[The larger fragment, which is of reddish stone, 4 feet long, is part of
the shaft of a cross, presenting on one face the lower portion of a cruci-
fixion, with a figure standing on each side. Beneath this there arc two
compartments, each containing two figures apparently of ecclesiastics, and
below them a third, containing a man seated, and playing on a liarp. The
other face of the shaft and the tavo edges are sculptured with knotwork.
' Sailptured of Scotleuid, vol. 1. p. 29, pUte xcii. ; vol. ii. p. II, plate*
Ixxx., Ixxxi. ® Il'id., v.jI. ii. plato cxxiii.
NOTE OF FOUR SCULPTURED STONES FROM MONIFJEI II.
The other two Rtoncs are smaller, and of a greyish sandstone. The larger
is 3 feet in length, by 14 inches in breadth ; the smaller only 17 inches in
length, and 10 inches broad. They are sculptured on both faces, having
an interlaced cross on the one face, and figures and symbols on the other,
as shown in Plato lY., where careful drawings are given of both sides of
the two stones.
The first mentioned of these is remarkable in having the " spectacle
ornament" twice repeated in close juxta-position (See fig. 1, Plate IV.),
first presenting the ornament alone, and again in conjunction with the
Z-shaped appendage, or "zig-xag" or "sceptre ornament" so often
associated with it. The middle of the stone is disfigured by a groove,
coarsely cut when the stone had been made use of for building purposes.
At one side is a well-carved representation of a double-edged comb of the
usual early form, made of small pieces of bone enclosed between two slips
running along the centre, and rivetted together mth bronze or iron rivets.
Towards the bottom, and partially broken away, are the remains of what
was in all probability a circular mirror, which often accompanies the
comb on these stones.
On the reverse side (see Plate IV., fig. 2) is a cross ornamented with a
species of fret-work.
The second of the two smaller stones bears a cross on one of its faces of
Bimilnr form to the lost, but differing considerably in its ornamentation,
(see fig. 3, Plate TV.), which combines the interlaced work so common on
these monuments with the fret and the scroll-like work styled "Late Celtic."
On the other side (see Plate IV. fig. 4), the stone is divided into three
compartments. The upper and larger of the three is filled in with bird's
heads depending from the two upper comers, over a nondescript monster
with a long neck, and the detached head apparently of a hound. In one
of the lower compartments is a human figure clad in a loose robe folded
closely round the body and reaching to the feet. On the breast appears a
circular object, and a nimbus surrounds the head. In the third compart-
ment is the " crescent symbol "* conjoined with the V-shaped appendage or
" sceptre " usually combined with it.
The fourth fragment has been part of a large slab. It measures 3x2^
feet, and has a sculptured cross (t) having on one side a wheel-like
or floriated pattern running down the centre, flanked by sculpturings of
74
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, JANUARY », 1871.
bea^ of various fonns. The sculpture on this side, which is in relief, is
now almost entirely defaced. On the other side the sculptures consist
entirely of representations of various animals. Some of these are in relief,
and others merely incised.
Figures frou Scolptdrbd Stones in Scotland.
The stones above mentioned, which have now been presented to the
hfuseum, display several examples of a class of peculiar sculptures occur-
ring frequently on rude stone monuments, and rarely on objects of metal
(Plate Y. fig. 6), which are principally or almost entirely to be found in
the north-eastern districts of Scotland. The same patterns of sculptures
occur again and again with different degrees of ornamentation and group-
ing. Some of these stones have been described and figured by various
authors, as well as in our " Archaiologia Scotica," voL ii p. 314, and
vol iv. p. 345, but most fully in Dr John Stuart's important work on the
" Sculptured Stones of Scotland," published for the Spalding Club. The
peculiar character of these sculptures has not, however, been noticed in
our " Proceedings," and we take the opportunity of giving here a series
of figures of the more important ones copied fiom Dr Stuart's work. (See
Plates V. and VI.)
Trivial names have been given to these sculptured figures according to
their shape or fancied resemblance to some common or wen-kno\vn object,
and they have been believed by some antiquaries to be " Symbols " of a
mysterious character, the meaning of which is probably still to be dis-
covered.
In the accompanying plates the symbols of most common occurrence on
the sculptured stones are represented, and a detailed list of these is here
given in the order of their frequency of occurrence on these menu-
mental stones:—
1. The symbol of most frequent occurrence is the "Crescent" (Plate V.
fig. 1). It presents many varieties of ornamentation, and is always
accompanied by the Y-shaped sceptre. It occurs un 30 of the pillar-
stones and 23 cro&ses.
2. The next symbol in point of frequency is the " Spectacle Ornament"
(Plates Y. fig. 2, and YT. fig. 6), of which there are upwards of 30
varieties figured in I>r Stuart's book. This ornament has very frequently
KOTB OF FOUU SCUI-ITUUEU STONES FKOM MONIFIKTir.
75
passiDg through it a figure resembling the letter Z, generally more orncss
ornamented ; it has been designated the Z-shaped or zig-zag ornament or
" bent sceptre." See Plate V. figs. 4, and 6. It occurs on 23 of the
pillar-stones and 19 crosses.
3. The "Mirror," which sometimes occurs singly, and at other tiroes in
conjunction with the comb {Plate VI. ligs. 4 and 5). The mirror occurs
on 23 pillar-stones and 14 crosses, and in 18 cases it is conjoined with the
comb on the same monument.
4. The "Elephant" (Plate VI. fig. 7), which occurs on 13 pillar-stones
and 19 crosses. " Whilo other animals (says Dr. 8tuart), including the
camel, are represented in various and natural attitudes, this creature
appears only in one; and while attempts are made to imitate the wool of
the sheep, the pluim^e of a hiixl, or the sciiles of a fish, the ' elephant' is
covered with the ornamental patterns which occur on the crosses in our
MSS., metal work and other innnlnmiii objects. It may thus be supposed
that the ' elephant" was copied from an ohjcct which bad come to be a
Imdge."
5. The "Comb" (Plato VI. fig. 4), of which 13 occur on pillar-stones
and 8 on crosses.
6. The "Serpent," which sometimes appears alone and at other times as
in the figure in the plate from the stone at Newton (Plate V. fig. 3),
combined with the zig zag or " bent sceptro •" occurs 4 times on pillar-
stones and 9 times on crosses.
7. The "Horse-Shoe" figure or arch (Plate VI. fig. 3) occurs on 10
pillar-stones nnd 1 cross.
8. The " Eibula-like" figures (Plate VJ. figs. 1 and 2) occur 5 times on
I>i)lar-stoncs and 4 times on crosses.
9. The "Dhlong Ornament" (Plate V. fig. 5) occurs 9 times, 6
being on pillar-stones and 3 on crosses. It is often also combined with
the Z ornament, as in Plate V. fig. 5.
10. The "Dog's Head" (Plate V. fig. 6).
There are, besides these, various pccubar figures or symbols sculptured
on these ancient stones, which have not been even referred to hero, and
the whole subject invites further examination and elucidation.
In Dr Stuart's " Sculjitured Stones" notices of these atones and
sculptures by early historions are pointed out. Hector Bnecp, in the
76 I'UOCKEDINGS t)F THE SOCIEI Y, JANUAKY 9. 1871
" Chronicled of Scotland," states, that on the ancient inouumenls uf
noble men " was ingraviu imagoris of dragonis, woliis, and other belstis ;
for no inventioun of lettcris was in thay dajis to put the deidis of nobil
men in memuro." Ho also states, in bis " ^'ew Maneris and the Auld of
the Scottis," that the old inhabitants "usit the litis and maneris ot the
Sgyptianis," not writing with common letters, but with "sifars and
ftgxiris of beasts made in manner of letteris, sic as their epithafis and
superscription above their sepulturis schawis." Other old authors have
repeated the same story. Cordiner, in his " Remarkable Ruins," hgures
and explains a number of these monuments with reference to the
Egyptian hieroglyphics. Bocco in his History, and Gordon iu his
" Itinerarium," suppose many of them to be Danish, but Worsaae con-
siders that there is no authority for this opinion.
Some antiquaries have supposed these sculptures to be of pagan origin,
and the Christian emblem of the cross, which occurs combined with them
on some of the stones, to be of a more recent date,—an appropriation of
the p^an monument by the later Cliristian people. Others have fancied
they might, perhai^s, be simply early Christian sculptures; and others
again have made various suggestions attributing to the symbols mysterious
and occult meanings which it is needless to specify.
In the preface to the " Sculptured Stones of Scotland," however, Dr
John Stuart, after adverting to the usage so promineut among early races
of representing by symbols on their tombs the occupation and rank of
the person commemorated, and to the general custom of burying with the
dead the objects used and loved by theot during life, and when this
usage ceased, of representing such objects on tbeir tombs, is inclined
to believe that these unkno^vn symbols represented objects not dis-
similar in character from the miiror, comb, and shears,—that is, articles
of personal use or ornament. He also extends this conclusion to the
other figures which occur on the monuments, such as the " clepliant " and
the "horse-shoe figure," the "oblong figure," aud "the crescent," and points
out that the " bent sceptre," which never appears alone, seems from various
details, such as the strengthening at the angles, &c., to be a piece of
mechanism for attaching the objects with which it is figured to something
else. " If therefore," he adds, "we should be led to regard the ' spec-
tacles,'' horse shoe,' 'oblong figure,'serpent and crescent as figurv.s <.f
Note op fouk hcnlprureo stones from montfieth. 77
persona] omuments of variouu kinds, the so-cailod ' sceptres' may bo bold
either to be parts of such ornaments, or to represent the contrivanco by
which they wore fixed to the person. If these can be held to be of the
nature of clasps, brooches, an<l objects of personal use, their orrurrence
among other recognised sepulchral symbols, sculptured on tombstones,
may be regarded as a mere variety of the idea which led to the frvciuent
deposit of these objects in early graves, in conformity with the statement
of Mr Didron, that after tho custom had been abandoned of bxirying
them with the dead they still continued to bo represented upon the
tombs." . . . " llie conchisioii at which I arrive," says Dr iStuart, "is that
the symbols—the comb, mirrttr, books, brooches, 'spectaclwi,' 'crescents,'
and as-sociated figures, were all objects of personal ornament or use, and
that when they appear on our pillar-stones theyaro to he regarded as sym-
bols representing the dignity, othce, or descent of individuals."
Dr 8tuart considers, from thu harmony of style between the ornamental
details of these stones, and utany Irish manuscripts of the 7th, bth, and
yth centuries, that these monuments are not later, probably, than this
period.—Eds.
/'.H, . I < .'f 4.1'i.ft I'i-yJ othl.ii'
\i'J. J.\ fl.Ait /I
Pi0f4'fdiag$ of the Soeifti/ of Aiiliqanriea of Scotland.
VOL. IX. PL.4TE V.
Prouflingt <»/ the SoeUhj of of Scelland.
VOL. IX. PLATE VI.
1 Hnil 2. Flbalu-llkv llcrure*. >. Arch. 4. Mirror and Comb. 9. Mirror and Cose. 6. Spcctaclu Omoinvnt with xjilrtil
ON THE HORNED CAIRNS OF CAITHNESS: THEIR STRUCTURAL
ARRANGEMENT. CONTENTS OF CHAMBERS, &c. By JOSEPH
ANDERSON, CoK. Mem., S.A. Scot. (Plates LX.-I,XIII.)
In a previous paper on tbe Chambered Cairns oi'Caithness, I have stated
that, in tbe course of a series of explorations among them, conducted
conjointly by the writer and Mr R. I. Sliearer for tbe Anthropological
Society of London, an entirely new type of cairn structure bad been met
with, and several e-xaroples are therein briefly described. Sioco that
paper was written, we have exjdored otlier examples of tbe same tyi>e ;
and the purpose of the present communication is to describe more fully
the peculiarities of structure and contents presented by the two classes
of horned cairns.
Tbe common idea of a cairn is that of a simple beup of stones, agglo-
merated without regard to any definite structural plan. Tbe design
tlius implied would be nothing more than tbe raising of a beup, as tbe
stones might arrange themselves over a funereal deposit, jdaced in tbe
ON THE HORNED CAIRNS OF CAITHNESS.
481
centre of the caini, or under it, enclosed in a cist, or occupying an internal
chamber, constructed trith much care and labour. But the arcliseologist
can have as little knowledge of the design of the cairn-builders, with
reference to the peculiarities of form and varieties of type exhibited in
the construction of calms of different classes, as they could have had of
his special theory on the subject. He can see, however, that they had
fixed ideas, which they wrought out with great persistency, both in the
external configuration and in the internal arrangements of their sepul-
chral structures. Whether horned or merely circular, whether covering
a chamber or a simple cist, all the cairns that have been examined in
this district (except those composed of small, broken, and burnt stones)
have been regularly constructed buildings, wbicb, through lapse of time,
have assumed externally the appearance of mere heaps, as (he brochs
have done. Tbe basal outline is generally found to be as distinctly de-
fined, by a single or double wall, as the foundations of a modern house.
These sepulchral cairns may thus be classified as to their external form
as follows :—(1.) Cairns of a circular form externally, and of small sixe,
covering a central deposit, placed in a small rudely-formed cavity among
the stones, or in a reguUily constructed cist of slabs. (2.) Cairns of
largo size, circular or oval as to external form, covering a central chamber
usually divided into three compurtments, and having a lintelled passage
leading into it. (3.) Cuirns of still larger size, cnrnuted at the extremi-
ties, and also covering tri camerated clijimbers and lintelled passages.
Tivo classes of Homed Caims.—These latter are of two classe.<i—long
and short cairns. Tbe long cairns are the more numerous. We have
found four examples in the parisli of Wick, three of which we have ex-
plored. The fourth, unfortunately, has been completely destroyed by
being used as a quarry. Of the short cairns we have only found two.
The external characteristics of the long cairns are, their great lengtli
ill proportion to the breadth of the body of the cairn, their lying more
or less nearly east and west, and their being much higher at one end
than at the other. The higher end is always placed towards the east;
and, notwithstanding the immense length of the cairn, there is, in three
out of tbe four instances, only one interior chamber, situated in the
higher or eastern end. From this chamber the passage opens exteriorly
midway between tbe two boms in front of the high end of the cairn.
I'IMi l,I.ni\i:s (>F IlIF. Sim II 1 1 II VI IkCS
111 llw slioH r.uriiN, Ili<- lio'ly nf llio ciiirii is in jiily us l.jou.l jis it is loii''
The eliiiiiiliiT is in tin' (•ciifri- of the num. un 1 tin* )i;issni;e opens niiil-
Wfiv Li'tweeii tin- t\M» Inryer Imrii-s. Tin- short niirtis lioth faee to tlie
r:outh-i>i).>-t, nixl nhih* tin- Ion;; niiriis lire either phi'-oi] on a h-v< I hill*
to|i, or «lon;r a liilee, tlie bliort ones are situuteil, one on tin- siJe of a
Iiiil ("thou'^li on the ciowii of u snmller emitienee >, ninl the other in u
hollow siirroiunh'd hy lulls.
Sihi'ilmn mill Lfnni tr iniis of tin IJnrnul CuirHf.—No. 1, lon*!^ Cairn,
lies urroi^s the Hat liill-top, aho\e the
loi'h of Yarhuu'-e, Tliniiiister. Its
e.\trenie leliyth is li-lu iVet, The hoJ_\
of the cairn at the wider end is •»'>
feet across narroivin;; to ilR fei-t al the
smaller eml. Tlie horns project uhout
feet in troiit of the eiilrain'e, which
lies niidwa} hetwei'ii tin m ; and the
line across their tips i.s llO feel fioiii
jioint to jioiiit. The rear horns pro.
jeet ulioiif lli leet lu'liind the cairn,
ami the line acros.s tlieir tips is •">"
fe< t.
rtic p;tssa;:fe ut the entraiiee is U
feet wide, mid the bide jaiiihs feet
high. Tlie lintels wen- tfonc. Ten
feet oi a pa-sa;;H leads into tl e
I'hanilier, which is tri-eameriited.
The liist eoniimrlnicnt is feel
wide at the einl next the passa.'e, and
r> feet wide at the iiisiTtion of the first
pair of liivisional shihs. These are set U]i ut ahouf oj feet from the
fuees id the stones Dank in;.' the eiitranee fn-ni the jiassajre. Tiie one rises 7
feet, and the otlu r 7.', fiet uhoYe tlie Hoor, the passapu hetweeii their ed;;es
into the second eonipnrtnient hem:; 2 teet wide. In the teeond com-
partmeiit the width of the eliaiiiher expands to ahont (I leet, and the
floor of this i-otiip iitiuent is .ilioiil ("> feet bquiite. Tlie opeiiiii;; into the
lliiri) e.piii[i.irtnil lit is only 2 fi et 4 imdieb hiuli, hy alont 2" inches
OrottDfi Pliin of Xo. 1 Long Coirti.
(^40 fcc-t in U-nglli.)
''riinnd riitn of Xo. - I/in.* C.iirn
MJiO IW-i in I. iigtli.)
LH.Vii (AIllNh A1 \Altil'»LSP. I \ I III N 4 S >
4S-i J'liMiiiliiUli !•/ Ilf SVii I.lii !•! ./ir/ri/i(i/n<<i ut Nio'liiiii/ l'"f, I'll I'L.i TE l.XI.
Elevation of No. IJ Lonf; Cnirn.
(Id.j foi't ill len^tli.)
<>r«iiii(i I'luii of No. o I. 'ii;; C.iirii
I lli'i f< 11 in lenutli.)
|,iiV(. «Ult\ (AMsifclt itJfHSfNS
UN THE HOliNEl) TAlllNS OF CAITHNESS. 4Mu
wide. Tills oompurtinent, whicli is roofed liy h single block of enorinoiis
si^e, measures interiorly 4 feet 8 inches by 2 feet 4 inches, and 2 feet
4 inches high. No other chumlicr exists in this cairn, so far as we have
ascertained by digging down in several places between the chamber and
the smaller end of the cairn.
No. 2, long cairn, is on the same hill-top, about 200 yards distant. Its
extreme length is 100 feet; greatest breadth across the l>ody of the cairn,
4') feet; least breadth at the smaller end, 25 feet. The horns in this
cairn are shorter, and had been somewhat spoiled at the tips, by remov-
ing the stones for building purposes. Enough remained of their foundn-
tions to determine their shape and dimensions. For the same reason,
the middle portion of the cairn was destroyed, but fortunately the chamher
and its contents had escaped.
The passage entered, as in the former case, between the horns of the
larger end, and was 9 feet long and 2 feet wide. The first compartment
of the chamber was nearly square, being feet by 4 four feet ID inches,
and the side walls about 5 feet liigb. The second compartment was 8
feet wide in the centre, by 7 feet; and tlie third compartment was nearly
semicircular, about 6 feet 8 inches across the chord, and 5 feet from the
entrance to the hack.
No. 3, long cairn, is at Camster, and lies along the ridge of a hill, close
to the large circular cairn figured and described in my former paper.'
Its extreme length is 195 feet; breadth at the wider end C4 feet, and at
the narrower end 32 feet. The horns in this case are extremely short,
but well defined. It differs from the other long cairns in having more
than one chamher, and the passages leading into them opening out to
the side of the cairn, instead of to the higher end between the horns.
The first chamher is a simple hee-bive cell, situated under the apex
of the higher end of the cairn. It is reached by a long, low passage, the
opening being 30 feet along the side of the cairn from the north-east end.
This passage, which was little more than 2 feet high at the entrance,
and about the same width, ran straight across the cairn fur 17 feet,
where it was turned to the right by two stones set on end on opposite
sides, similar to the jamhs usually found at the entrance to a chamber ;
but instead of being set at right angles to the passage wall, they were
' Proceedings, vol. vi. p. 449.
48t; PHOCERDIN(;s OF THK SOCIKTY, JUNK I8fl8.
set at an angle of ai>out 45", and |mral]e) to each otiier, the passage turning
to the right between their faces. It continued for C feet further, before
it entered tlie chamber by nn ii-regularly arched doorway.
The chamber itself was of an irregularly pentagonal form, the sides
being defined by slabs set on e<lge, over the tops of which the wails were
carried upwards, and brought gradually to an approximately circular
form. At the height of alout 4 feet above the fluor, the walls begin to
converge by the overlapping of tlie stones; and at the height of C feet
the apex of the dome is covered in by a stone about 9 inches square. If
the floor were circular, it would he less than C feet in diameter. The
c-liamher was floored hy two large slabs, an unusual feature in these
cairns.
Fifty feet further along the side of the cairn, another possuge opened
leading into a chamber of the usual tri-camerated form. This passage
was remarkable for its unusual height and width, and also because its
outer part was rudely arcbed by overlapping stones, instead of lintelled.
Tlie lintelled portion was 4 feet higli, and '.2^ feet wide; and where the
roof came over the first cumpurtment of the chamber, instead of being
continued in line with the lintelling of the passage, and the lintels rest-
iiig on the jambs at the entrance, tliey were carried over them fully 2
feet higher; and the roof of tlie first compartment was formed by the
lintels overlapping eacli other from front to back of tbe chamber, like
the reverse side of a stair. The length of the passage was 10^ feet.
Tlie arched portion wa.s narrower than the lintelled part, the minimum
width being 18 inches towards the entrance, widening to 2^ feet as the
maximum further in.
The first compartment of the chamber was 4 feet 3 inches square on the
floor, the side walls being slightly curved in the centre. The entrance
to the second compartment was 2k feet wide between the edges of tbe
divisional slabs, hut narrowed to less than 2 feet by the insertion of a
pair of false jambs, with a lintel across them, and a threshold slab set on
edge across the bottom. These fell away when the floor wa.« excavated.
The second compartment was 7 feet 10 inches by 5 feet, tbe side walls
bulging outwards, and slightly curved. The divisional stones were C to
7 feet in height, and the highest part of the wall remaining was not
much more.
ON THK HORNED CAIRNS OF CAITHNESS.
487
TLe third compartment measured on the floor on)y about 5 feet by 2^
feet; but the great slab which formed the lower part of the back wall
was considerably inclined outwards, and this mado it more roomy above.
From the signs of convergence of the walls all round, and the height of
the last pair of divisional slabs not exceeding 5 feet, it was plain that
the second and third compartments had been covered by one dome-
shaped roof, as in the circular cairn close by (see woodcut, p. 496).
From the appearance of the cairn, I am convinced there are other
chambers in the part between this second chamber and the lower end
of the cairn ; but circumstances over which we had no control have pre-
vented its further exploration.
No. 4, a short cairn, is at Ormiegill, near Ulbster, situated on a small
eminence on the side of a hill. Its extreme length is CC feet, and the
extreme breadth very nearly the same. The horns expand in front till
they are 60 feet apart, those behind being 37 feet apart. The horns
in front are 8 feet broad at the tips, which are convex, and those behind
9 feet. The circular wall surrounding the chamber is 80 feet in circuni-
ference.
TLe passage opening between the horns is 10 feet lung and 2 feet
wide, and seemed to have been lintelled over. The first compartment
of the chamber, which is small, appears in this case to have been at least
partially arched by overlapping courses projecting inwards in the upper
portions of the walls. It measures on the floor about 3 feet by 4 feet 10
inches; and there are signs of convergence at about 3^ feet above the
floor. The second compartment measures aI>out 8 feet by 6^ feet, and
the third coiipartment about 5 feet by 2 feet 3 inches on the floor; but
the slab at the back, inclining greatly outwards, makes the cross measure-
ments considerably more when taken higher up.
No. 5, also a short cairn, is situated in a hollow at the base of the hill
fortification, known as Garrywliin, near Bruan, and on the estate of
(Myth. Its extreme length is about 80 feet, and greatest breadth about 60
feet. The horns project about 20 feet in front, and aliout 1.6 feet behind.
The passage entering between the horns is 11 feet in length, and
about 2^ feet high at the entrance. The width at the entrance is about
the same as the height, but it widens about 6 inches further in. It
seemed to have been lintelled.
4J<S ■> «■ I"'"/""'
;•"/ r// HLATh: I.Xll
lluliT . »III\ .IlilllH.II 1 I UTII^^S^
ON THK llORNEl> CAIRNS OR CAITHNESS. -tSi)
'I'lic first coropartmenl of the rliaruWr, which in this case is l)i-catneral,
iDcasures al>out G feel by 4^ fvct on the floor. The second compurtinciil
is approximately circular, measuring on the floor 11 feet by 10 feet.
The walls of this compartment are concave, Imlging outwards in the
middle of their height, and beginning to converge about 5 feet aliove
the floor.
Form and Slructure of the Horns.—In all the horned cairns, whetlier
long or short, and whatever the modiflcatious of the internal chamber,
the characteristics of the peculiar prolongations of the external structure
to front and rear, wliich, for want of a more appropriate appellation, I
have termed ' horn,' are tlie same. In fact, while their tapering curva
ture, and their projection from the ends of the cairn, suggests the idea
of horns, repeated examination of their structure in every way, even to
the removal of one of the largest of Ibem bodily from the foundation,
and the digging of the ground underneath, has failed to suggest the
slightest clue to their function in the general structure, the reason of
their similarity as regards the mode of their construction with relation
to the external configuration of iho cairn, or lljeir structural intention,
or symbolic import, if they had any. Their persistency of type, and
position in relation to the cairn, and their almost complete identity of
constructive plan and general contour, arc suggestive of a symbolic
meaning rather than a structural purpose; but whether syniboliu, struc
tural, or ornamental, they furnish no positive evidence on the question
of their original purpose.
In both the long and the short cairns, the peculiar configuration ut
the structure as a whole is defined hy a double wall, or rather by two
parallel walls, both faced only to the outside. Tho distance between
their parallel faces varies in diflerent cairns from about GO inches to G
feet. One or other of tliese walls has been traccil in eacli instance
completely round the outline of the cairn. In some cases, as in the
Ormiegill short cairn (No. 4), both walls remain complete without a
break. In others, the outer wall is partially gone; and in some wc have
failed to find the inner wall at one part of tho cairn, thougli both IiuM'
been distinctly traced for considerable distances in otiier pans.
These parallel walls define tlic outline of the borus, as well as of the
^ldes, and the concave ends of the cairns. The horns arc not picccd
4!J0 Vi'it'i'iUiKji (■/ Di' .\i» i- III III (.,s nf ,S, III III ml
VuL ril. FL.tTK LXIll.
No. o, .Sliorl (.'aim. (80 lect in Icnglli.)
> H oliT ( M RN I. LT1, < U rH N h >S,
ON TUB UORNED CAIRNS OF CAITHNESS,
401
on to the general structure, but form au integral part of the complete
external configuration. The building is continued along its peculiar
outline without a break. Owing, as I l>olieve, to the falling outwards
of the stones from the upper part of lite cairn, the parallel walls are
always found within what is now the base of the mass of the cairn
(shown by the dotted lines on the plans), although they may have
originally defined its outline. The greatest height to wl)ich we have
found them standing has alway.s been between the liorns in the higher
end of the cairn. In the Camster long cairn (No. 3) the outer walls in
the centre of the curvature between the horns in the high end rose 7 feet;
and in No, 2 they were entire for 5 feet above tbe foundation, l>ecomiug
gradually lower towards the tips of the horns, whore we have not found
more than 2 feet to 2^ feet of their height remaining. Nor would the
quantity of the debris in which we found the horns in all cases enveloped
(and out of which their outline had to be excavated), indicate that tlioy
had ever reached more than a very moderate height at the exiremi-
ties. The greatest height to which any part of tbe double retaining
wall remained standing was about balf the extreme height of tbe cairn.
The faces of the walls of tbe best preserved example Lave a considerable
inclination inwards, so that, as none of the horns arc more than 9 feci
broad at tbe points, their opposite outer walls must have come very
close together at no great height, if continued upwards.
In most cases tbe double wall of the horns (which was continued all
round the cairn) was built of stones selected for the purpose, long and
flat, forming a stable and well-knit structure. The duuldingof the wall
was most likely a precaution against the dilapidation of the cairn, by
the falling down of the outer one in course of time. Generally, the
inner wall now stands higher than the outer, and it may have been so
originally; but as iu no case have we found the whole of tbe original
height of either remaining, this may be simply tiie result of tbe more
extensive dilapidation of tbe outer wall.
Proporlion$ o/the Horna.—The dimensions of the horns Lave no definite
proportion to the size of the cairn. The pair in front, however, arc
usually larger, and enclose a wider curvature than those in rear of llie
cuiri),—the base of the cairn being usually wider in the passage end,
and the appendages necessarily faitliei' u[iart. A s])ecics of ru<le sym-
4U2
I'UOCEEDLNUS OF THE SOCIETY, JUNE lB6b.
joetry in tbe proportioiie of the separate pairs is discernilile, lite mea-
suremeiits of each one of a pair generally agreeing prelty closely, while
the contour is as roughly synintetrical as the nature of the ground will
admit. TIte contour difTers in different cairns; but there is always a
striking similarity of contour between tbe two pairs of the same cairn.
Some of the cairns have short, squat projections, with small curvature;
and others have narrower horns, with longer curves, and a wider expan-
sion. In some cases tlie horns are of almost nniform breadth, from the
insertion in the body of the cairn to the tips; while in others they are
wide at the insertion, narrowing towards tbe tips. In the longest cairn
the horns project an eighth part of the total length of tbe structure in
fro^i, and about a twentieth behind. In the second longest caim the
horns project only about one-forlietli of the extreme length of the struc-
ture ; and the projection in front and rear is almost the same. In one
of the short cairns the pntjectioo of the hums is about one-fourth of
the total length of the structure in front, and about one-fifib Wbind;
while in the others it is more than a third in front, and more than a
foui-th behind. There is, therefore, nothing in these relative measure-
ments on which to base any principle of proportion, in tbe relation of
tbe horned part of the structure to tbe size of tbe cairn, unless that the
short cairns have this peculiar feature much more largely developed than
the long ones.
OricrUation of the Catrfl« and lloms.—There does not appear to have
been any strict rule observed in the placing of the horns witli reference
to tbe cardinal points. While tlio long cairns lie with the highest ends
looking more or less towards the east, yet the direction of the axes of
the cairns varies between N.E.' and E.S.E.; and in tbe short cairns, the
opening of the passage between the front horns looks in the one case
S.^.E., and in the other S.S.W. Standing in the centre of the Ormiegill
(short) cairn, the rearward horn on the right points due north, and that
<»n the left N.N.W., while the two flanking the entrance point E.S.E.
and S S.W. respeclivcly. But beyond the broad fact that the lung cairns
lie with tlie chambers looking more or less to the south or north of east,
and the short cairns with (licit chambers looking to (lie east or west of
suutl), there does not seem to be any ilistinct generalisation deducihle
' I'iie beeriugH ari; ull givcu by eoiupass withuul currecliun fur deviation.
ON THE UOUNED CAIItNS OF CAITUNESS.
either from the directiou of the cairoD theioiielvcs or their comuted
ajppcndages. Terbape the variulioiis may be accounted for, by eupposing
the different cairns to have been coiistructe<l at different periods of the
year, with a rough attempt at orientation.
hUtmal Struclvrc.—It will be observed, on reference to the plan of
Die Oriuiegill cairn (No. 4), that a circular wall, 8U feet in circum-
fercnce, surrounds the chamber. This wall is built of square and heavy
blocks, and presents a very marked contrast in this respect to the ex-
terior walls, which are of light, thin, flat slabs. As Las been previously
remarked, the selection of these long, thin, and flat slabs for (be con-
struction of the outer walls, so as to produce a building tbut would be
most firmly knit together and least liable to dilapidation, accords
entirely with their purpose in the structure. If the purpose of the cir-
cular wall surrounding tlie chamber was to bold the central chambered
iwrtion of tho cairn together, and resist the weight and tlirust of the
dome-shaped roof, the reason of the selection of large, square, and heavy
blocks for its construction is at once apparent. As this circular wall
evidently served an important structural purpose in the general plan of
the building, there is no reason for assigning to it any symbolic sigiii-
ticance; but, on the other hand, there is no reason why a symbolic in-
tention and a structural purpose should not be fulfilled together.
Indications of a similar circular wall appear in the long cairns (sec
lig. 3). It may bo perhaps conjectured, as the Ormiegill cairn appears
to cumprclic-ud a common chumLercil cairn of the circular type within
the horned structure, that both the short and thelongcaii us may have been
originally chambered circular cairns, similar to those described in my
former paper,' the horned structure having been snbsequeotly added to
tlieni. It is true that, if the whole of the cornuted outside structure be
removed from the Ormiegill cairn, there remains a chambered cairn of
the circular type complete. But then the passage would be very much
shorter, and the mass of the struclure round the chamber very much
smaller than in any known instance of a chambered circular cairn in the
district. Tlic fact also that these hud all a double circular retaining
wall round the uutsi<ic, favours the presumption that the double, and not
Ihe single, wall was the original externa) finish to the structure in the
' rrocccdin;.'!!, vol. v). |i. -Hf.
PUOCEEDIXGS OK THE SOCIETY, JUNE 18C8.
bonied as well as the circular cairoa. If this be so, the huroed slruc-
tare must be regarded as part and parcel of the original design, and not
as a later addition to a common chambered cairn of the circular type.
^'tructure and Arrangement of the Chamber.—The horned cairns, whe-
ther long or short, present the same characteristics in the arrangement
of the chamber as the circular cairns with which they are associated.
The distinctive feature of all the chambered cairns of this district' is the
tri-cameration of the chamber, effected by large slabs set on end, in poirs,
projecting across the floor, while a single slab, of very large dimensions,
always stands as part of the back wall opposite the entrance. Some-
times, also, slabs are built flat into the side walls of the chamber, so as
to form part of the wall. From the manner in which the walls are fllled
in between these megaliths, it would appear that tbey hod been placed
in position flrst of all, and tbat the structure of the cairn had then
grown up around them, adapting itself to their form and position. The
most common arrangement of what 1 may call the megalitbic skeleton
of the chamber, both in the horned and in the circular cairns, is one in
which the three compartments of the chamber are defined by seven
standing stones, set up with their faces parallel to each other, as seen in
No. 4.
Id some instances, in which the typical form of the chamber is de-
parted from, the number of megaliths in the skeleton of the chamber is
the same, though differently arranged, as in the caini of (rett, No. 5;
in which, in consetjuence of the last pair of megaliths being set in the
wall of the chamber, instead of at right angles to it, the arrangement
is bicameral. A chamber similarly arranged occurs in a round cairn
near it. Another arrangement is seen in the chamber of No. 2 (long
cairn), in which the number of megaliths is elglit, and the large slab at
the back is wauting, the third compartment being semi-circular.
My friend, the Rev. Mr Joass of Golspie, has sent me a sketch of a
group of standing-stones at Rhives, which I took to be the skeleton of
a tricameral cairu. In this instance, the sides of all the compartments
are filled up with slabs, making the number thirteen. Mr Juass says,
" One large slab is wanting, but I discovered it in a wall near, and think
that the many walls all about may have been built from the cairn." It
' rt'iceediDge, vol. vi. p.
nX rilK HnKNblt I'VUtN'S (tK ( Al'lHXhXS
may It*. liowestTj Ibat as llif ^id^;K ur« tilled in Willi blabs, tbeie iie\er
was a cairn ; and the ereidioii. as it stands, is sngycstive nf the use ot a
tri-cameral cliamher without a sniierimi>o.sod cairn. AUhougli we tllu^
find that tliere can hardly he any syniholic idea in connection with the
frcnueiit recurrence of the mjstic number seven in the meguliths coin-
|)osiiip^ the skeleton of the chamber, 1 am Htrom^ly inclined to believe
tliat there must be ii'>me symholisni in the ^lersistcnt anungcment of the
ehanihcr in a trijiartite form.
In none of the lionied cdiins liuv<' we found a tripartite ebamlicr
Willi the roof remaining;, but a very ilistinct convergence of the upper
part of the walls iii evident in most of them. The passage, in one
iiibtuncc (^Nu. dl, was partly lintelled, and partly Arched by overlapping
stones. In other cases, from the absence of lintids, it would secm as if
the whole jtassuge may have l» en tliiis arched ; but in the circular caims
a lintelled passage is the rule.
The first compartment of the chamber, in the circular cairns, appears
to liuvti been usually lintelled over at ahoiit the same height as (be
pH&sage, altboiigh, in one or two iDslances in the iioriied cuiins, it boems
to have been at least partly arched. In
No. it i.s roofed hy tr.in.svcr.n' slabs rising
aho\e eacli other inwards, like the iindci
sjile of a staircase.
Tlie second and third corii[)arliiieuts
seem, ill some casen. to have been <-overcd
hy one truncated dome, or bancl-shiiped
roof (as the last pair of divisional slabs
did not rise more than breast high), u.s
in the Camster cio'ular Ciiirii. the ground
plan and section of winch are here given foi ^ , ^
the puriHisc of eymparison' (figs. 2 and di p,,).,, Cuiru, I'amslir
This heinj the only cairn over whose tri- S.m1c,j„.
partite idiaiuher the roof remains, it is im-
[iDssilde to s.iy with certainty whcibei the division ol tiie tn-partile
ground plan into chamber and antc-iliambcr, by r<iofing tlie second and
' For till* unr at th> .-e lw<i nits, wliicti arc rroiii the .Memoirs <>f the Anlliropnln-
gKn) S-cicI} nl Imndon, >'•! ji. ji gifi I hiu ini)')>ti-il to tlis AtiHirop >I'>oiimI Som tv
4!l'>
rUlU'ICtDIXt.S OF TilE S'K lEl \ . .Il'Nl' tSOH.
third Jivi^illllb un<It'r oiif' doiui*, and tin' firht cniiiparl mciit witli liiitt-K,
laid Hat I'rntn wall tu wall (lilci' the pabsafii't, was the pem-ral rule; hut
the eliaiiiher of the horii'-d cairn No. 1. at least, piesenti; a marked
evccplioti, Here we have (he third c<iinjiartincnt roofed hj an iuiiitense
hloi'k, w'eijrhiiig several toiip, and thus forming a cTi'iulech-like crypt
hehiiid the main part of th<- chaiulH-r (tig. 1, p. In No. d, too.
w«' ha\e a snjall, [lentagnunl, hee-hive chamher oecnrring in the same
cairn, with one of the common tricamcral t) pe.
CinUntis of thv f'liiimlms—In all tlie homed cairiis. the roofs ladiig
gone from the chanihers ( with the single cxeeptioii of the small, hee-hive
cell in No. ;Sp we found the idiamher coniplelely iilh-d with stones
I'Neii the roofed cell seemed to have hcen tilled with stones nearly
Kit. 'h Si'i'liuu el I'lrculiir Cairn, Caiustcr hIihwih;,' ruHsayc ami Kurai I'l
('liutiiiH-r. Scale, g]A.
to (he roof. Tiie passages nUo, even those on which the lintels u-
maineil, were lilied with stone.s front cud to end. Tliis [luckiiig of stones
nm.st have heeii iiilroihiced juirposely.
Ill No. 1. after ch-aring (he cliamhcr from stones and riihldsli, we
loiiiid a door of hiaekish and ashes, having the ap[>earaiice of heirig
haid trodden. On the top of this floor lay a few uiiimal hones, and some
fragments, uppureiilly liiiriiaii.
The floor, to tlm depth of nearly (3 iuchys, was eiitirelj composed ol
iisIk's, caked on tliu undisturhed clay liohnv, and partially mixed with it
111 some pari-, traces of an irregnUr piiviiig of tiat stoiies remained,
having ashes holli ah<i\" and helow lliem. Wood chari'oal and cum
iiiiunli ij and call iiied lames weie musi pleiitilnlly iulermi.ved with the
wh'de siihslatice i.f this ilo<ir. and niKiih iiM-d hut xpiaiit conmiinuted
ON TIIK HORNED CAIRNS OF CAITHNESS. 4H7
fragments of bone were also of frequent occurrence. The singuliir
feature of the floor of this ohamber was the comminution of the bones—
no fragment exceeding the size of an inch in length, and half an
inch in breadth. Two fragments of unornamentcd pottery, well-curved,
but hand-made, and indicating a vessel of considerable size, occurred,
and about a dozen very small flint chips. The scantiness of the yield
of relics was out of all proportion to the expectations excited by the vast
size of the cairn, the only manufactured object found besides tbe pottery
being a small conical core of flint, less than half an inch in length,
wrought into facets all round its circumference.
In No. 2, there lay on tlie floor of the chamber a small quantity of
animal hones, unburnt, but broken and splintered, and among them
human bones, also broken and unburnt. Among the latter were the
fragments of an upper jaw, and several phalanges of Angers and toes.
These occurred in tbe second or main compartment of the chamber.
In the third compartment, on the top of tbe floor, lay tbe fragments ol
at least one human skeleton. The bones were much broken, and of the
skull only the frontal portion remained. It was of a very low type; and
a friend to whom I showed it, and whose aaiuaintance both with ancient
and abnormal types of crania is very extensive, remarked that it was.
without exception, the lowest he had ever seen. As in the other com-
partment, broken and splintered bones of animals lay scattered over the
surface of the floor, along with the human hones, all unburnt.
In the left hand side of the first compartment, there was a cist set on
the floor (see ground plau No. 2, page 483), apparently, however, a
secondary construction in relation to the cairn and its chamber. Inte-
riorly, the cist was about 3 feet long by 20 inches wide, and about H
inches deep. It was covered over by two slabs. Tbe interior was
filled with blackened clay, in the midst of which was a ta3-er of white
ashes. At the east end, next the entrance, an urn, apparently about G
or 7 inches high, lay on its side, in u state of extreme decay. It had an
everted rim and was ornamented by parallel hands of the twisted thong
pattern, the impression of the strands showing distinct marks of the
fibrous texture of the string, when examined with a magnifying gloss.
Along with the urn, a necklace of beads of lignite (probably the Oulitic
lignite of Prora) bad been tleposited, of which seventy were reoovere<l
498
PROCEKDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, JUNE I86«.
I>7 wosliiiig the ciny. These beads were bugles of various leiiglbs, from
1 to 3 or 4 lines. A few of Ihem (now in the Museum) are represented
of the actual size in fig. 4. No traces of
bones (if the whitish ash-looking layer was
not decayed bone) were found in the cist.
These were the contents of the cham-
her above the door. The door itself,
which, like that of No. 1, appeared to
have been hard trodden, was almost the
same in character and composition, but more irregularly interspersed with
charcoal throughout its substauce. It presented in some places a layer of
clay and ashes fully 6 inches in depth. Burnt bones occurred frequently,
as well as bones unburnt, both human aud animal, imbedded in it. In
each of the four corners were a number of human teeth, uiihurnt, but
with the enamel only remaining entire. A few teeth were also found
here and there on the floor, as if skulls had lain in difl'erent spots till
they had all decayed except the crowns of the teeth. Not a vestige
of pottery, nor a single chip of fliut occurred, either in or on the floor,
the cist excepted.
In No. 3, although there were two chambers, the relies were e.xtremely
few. In tbe bee-bive cbamber, a single fragment of bone, apparently of
a large animal, was all that was found. Tlie floor of slabs was taken
up, but tbe clay beneath was undisturbed, and unmixed with any traces
of fire. Nor were there any traces of ashes at all in the chamber. In
tbe tri-cameral chamber there were found on the floor a few fragments
of human skulls and other bones of tbe skeleton, unburnt, aud mingled
with broken bones of the horse, ox, deer, and swine, also unburnt. The
floor itself, which was harder trodden (apparently) than any of tbe
others, was also much more sparingly intermixed with aebes and char-
coal, and burnt bones were fewer in this chamlter than in those of No.
I and No. 2. The ashes, instead of being spread through the mass of
the floor, occurred in spots here and there. Neither fragments of pottery
nor chips of flint were found in this chamber.
The contrast between the poverty of the long cairns and (he richness
of the sliort ones, as regarls the yield of relics, is very marked.
In No. 4. a short cairn, we f'jiind a large quantity of unburnt bones,
o o O I B E
Fife'. 4. Bends of Lig)iile.
Actual Size.
liuiuaii uml aiiiiunl, lyiiij; mi tiip Hmn- of llit* fliaiiilier—tlie biiniuii
liones fra;;rjH'iitui-y, uiiJ tlie uiiinial hones hrolteii anJ split. Tlie flour
i-onsisted of ii layer of ashes, BCarrely interiiiixeil with clay in many
}iar(K. Iiiit eonipiK-teil, and Iteuriiig that trodden appcaranee so charae
teristh- of all the (hiors of these cuims. This layer of ublies was in some
jiurts folly a foot (hick. A puveroent of sluhs had at one period heen
laid in the chainlier, and subsequently disturhed, as in some pluses there
were porliniis of it ^^aIltin^r. The lied of ashes and hones, of which tlie
conipacleil floor was cuiiijiosed. extended loth over ami under tliis pave-
nient; and the natural clay beneath was pitted in some places, and liie
IjoIIdws filled with ashe.s. Tlie ipiuiitity of hnriit hones imbedded in this
eonipaeted ash-hed was very ereat. We reeofrnised nlmiit thirty Iriig-
nients of IniniHii skulls of all a^es, some little thicker than eard-hoar<l
Perfectly Calcined bones of tlie liiiiuan hand and foot and ehurretl Ira^
ineiits of skulls were very plentiful. The lonjjj hones were often hnrncd
in half of their length only, the ijtlier half
remaining tineharred. Among the trag-
moiits were the palates (lirokeiij of two
I'hildren. The animal hones, so far as we
could iileiitify them from Iho teeth, were
those of the hor.se. ox. deer, dog, aud .swine,
andasniall fowl. .\ layer of the lames of a
very Miiall nniiiiul, of wliich (here must liaxe
been a great many thousands, us the layer
wu.H in some [iiirt.s "J inches thick, puzzled
lis M-ry much. They may ha\e been the
lioiies of (he vole, wliicli have been found
aiiiindanlly in the tinnuli of northern ami
central England. Fraynieiils of pottery
of various make. Imt all without oniu-
rpentatiou, were extremely numerous, and j
tlint eliijiH were also plentiful — few of (irc y Itnontc loiiii Cinni Nn. .1.
fheiii hurried. In the ceiitriil conipartiiieiit
of tlie elianiher were round, iriiheddeil in
tlie ashes of the floor, a heautifully polished hammer of grey granite
perlorated for the handle; the point end of a very fiiielyfiiiished flint
.'*00
I*i:oi'EEl*lNO.S i»F THE .Si»(.-lhT\. .H .\F 1 mjn
kntCr. ;^r>)initi >li;ir{> ul'*ii^ tli*' f-nttiitf; ;iii :uTi>w-li<-ai] •>!' tliiil, <•!
triuijgiilur fonn ; u wn-iiglit ilint, willi tin iingromid filcf. tln't niiglit
liaVi's'TVfil tis a kiiifi'; and a few \vi-ll*)imilu " BiTajii'r>," of tin- iisiiiil
lurnifi. In flie first cntnparfmt'nt of t)ie fliamlnT. amtfliiT-mrow lit-tnl,
< fig. fi), n'MMiil>liiig iIk' bingl'" Itarlted form, nml un iinfini(<lH-iI one, of tin-
flat triimgular Klmj)!', wen* found.
In No. .1, also a cairn, lliere wi ic foiiiid, on (lie floor of (lie first
fotujiuitment, a nnmWr of iinlturiit skelcfoiib v\itli tbe lieads all Intd
to tlie riglit side of tlie eliiiuiher (ES.IO. t, and the hodies Iniddh-d
iiii'osK the tluijrwa} Of the skulls, foni
Were {iretly entire, and, jutlgiiig lri>ni
tlie fragment.- tliere must iiave henn at
least tliree or lour more. Tliose that weie
most entire were eapaejoiis. uell foinied,
and well-arehed erania, as well-lookiinr
skulls a- niaiiy that are to he seen on the
shoulders of the men of flie present day
riie other hones of till- sktdetolls were
hrokeii and mueli deiviyeil The skulls
Mere partiallj saved hy heiiig eloM- to the
Mall; luit over the hones in the centre ol
the c< nipiirtment then- hiy some tfui- ol
stoni'K and inhhish
HK. 11. .\rr„. 11...„l.. .11,^1.. T'" '«■■■•' ['"■■'•'■"■•■'I "I "il l" IM-
harlii'il nnd leiit..sliapef. iirtuul heen tlins descrihcd' hy C. Carter lll.'ike.
■ IhS . F.tr.S., Ijcetiirer on Comparative Ana
toiuy ami Z<»ology,Westminster Hospital:—
" The skull IS of great size and weight, the osseous structure heing
\ery dense, All of the teeth were in plmv at tlio time of death, and
sliow signs of heing laindi Mom. The age of the individual naus pro
hahly ahoiit fifty, and the sex male. The orhits are large, and llie nasal
hones forwurdlj produced. The forehead is laroe and capai ious, anil
the parii'lal fnhers liroad and prominent. The eoronal sntnre j?. partiaiii
olditerated, and the sagittal suture entirely so—a raiiiure iPnuier I!e\
or depression extending tlirougliout its posterior two-thirds, and foriniiur
' Mioiiiiir- r. III! tu'f.iri' tlie Aiilliriijiolnssieal S'lriefj ..f Loiufon, v«»l. iii. p i'-ftf
UK TlIK llOUKKf) CAII5NS UF CMTHN'FSS. T)!)!
Bltgiit siijira-liiniliduid llatteiiiii;;. 'flic \i]i]>cr part of the Rupra uc(-i|iitiil
hunc is well pruduced, and the ocniicircular line is prominent. The
mastoids are small; and on the riglit side a small paroccipilal has hceii
developed from the jugular eminence. The foramen magntim is rounded
in form, and the pharyngeal tubercle is much ton-ards the left side. The
impres:>ion8 for the insertion of the mosseter muscle are (urge. The
Bupira-orbital ridges are not developed. The inferior maxilla is very
large and massive, the chin being excessively prominent. The inferior
border is very thick and rounded, the posterior angle of the ascending
ramus being rather obtuse. The sigmoid notch is not slialloTv. The molar
hones are thick, but not forwardly prominent; and the cunine fossn> nrn
remarkably shallow.
Greatest length, 183 millimetres. Cephalic index. '7(i
„ breadth, 14U „ Facial angle, 80 "
The door of this chamber was a mass of asbes of charred wood and
bones, with very little intermixture of stones or earth. In the dee(iest
part it was fully 18 inches thick. The quantity of burnt and broken
and splintered bones of animals, and of burnt and unbnrnt human bones,
iinliedded in this moss was quite surprising. The animal bones (some
of which, of veiy large size, we judged to l>e the urus) were those of the
horse, dog, ox, deer, and swine, with perhaps the sheep or goat. The
human remains were of all ages, and mostly very fragmentary, the pieces
of skulls imbedded in the ashes never exceeding an inch or two square.
An immense number of flint chips, and fragments of pottery, chiefly
iinornaroentcd, occurred throughout the mass, the flint chips being in
manycases thoroughly liurned. Two flint arrow-heads of the leaf shajie
were also found. One of these is shown in fig. 6.
Association with othfr Earhj Remains.—The homed cairns are asso-
ciated with a number of other sepulchral structures, and early remains of
the primitive inhabitants of the district. The Ipng cairns, No.'*. 1 and 2,
are within a few hundred yards of a fine broch, built in the edge of the
loch of Viii'Iiouse, whicH they overlook. A little to the north was a
chambered cairn, wliich seems to have been of largo size, long, and
possibly horned. It was unfurtunatoly totally destroyed many years ago,
by being used as a quarry. In it was found a finely polisheil stone axe,
o[)2
I'itiK ELDIN<}-S ut HIE SO<.'lhl'\, .IINE IN0«.
perforuteJ. uml liuvin;; oiiv of its uruls bliaped to au axf-liko
with the flutoil cup or howl of s:in<l»tone lion^ tigurt-d (fig, 7). A httle
tihove the loch, on tho other side «»f the valley from the long calms, there
were three smuU <-fiinii<. with central cists, arranged in a line at a sliurt
distance from each other, and lielow them a fourth with a very long cist.
These were all opened Jong ago l>y idlers out of mere curiosity, and iili
contained skeletons. Uu the liill-top, ul'o\e the long cairns, are three
large circular < aiiiis, two of which are chatuiiercJ. These are tiyiircd in
my former paper. The thinl I'oiituiiied a kist vaen, in wliich was found
u skeleton and a bronze dagger or spear head, now in the jjritish
Muscuqi. Over the hill, ahoiit a (jiiarter of a mile, are twt> large stand-
ing stones, ahout four yards apurt; and close hy, u small ciiciihir raini,
with central cist, also rifJcd long ago. Nearer the loch is another
chambered cairn, loc,illy called MacCoul's Castle. Tradition connects
this cairn with thft standing stones as follows:—Fin MacCoul, wlicii
building Ins ca.sfle, was crossing the hill with flie two standing stiuiea on
hi.s shoulder, his wife following him with an a[ironful of stones. Her
apron string hmke, and tli«' stones all lell down ui a liciip. MucCoul stuck
the two large lintels he was carr\ilig into the ground, on end, while he
went to his wife's assistance, and tln-re tlicy reniaili to tlie jtrcsvnt da\
Xo •}. long cairn is a-sociatcJ with lln* large mnl fInel3•-ple^er^ell
1.
2.
1 StnTis l*np litiind in .1 t'mrt: at llrcckige, I'.dlloe >.<
2 T'lider .side tif Clip, (jliiiwiiig nnlHly inriscd piitlerii.
ON THE HORNED CAIRN'S OF CAITHNESS. 50:{
ruuiid cuiro de^scribed as tbe Canister ruund cairn in my foruier ()a|3ei-.
Near it, there was a small cairn with a ceuttal cist about 4 feet 9 inchei<
square and 2 feet deep. The ends were of slabs set on ed^e, the sides
built, and slightly convex. The cist lay N.E. and S.W. The smallest
diameter of the cairn was about 25 feet. On the S.W. side of the cairn,
and at a little distance, are the remains of an alignment of small stand-
ing stones, the highest not being more than 2 feet above ground, disposed
in irregularly parallel rows. Thirty stones remain, and the rows con-
verge towards the caim. The cist contained unburnt bones,—probably
of two skeletons,—but bad l>een opened before we examined it.
No. 4, short caim, Is not far from a very large green cairn, prcsuro-
ably a broch. Nearer to it is a chambered cairn, wliicb has been de-
stroyed; and close to it a very large semicircular or crescent-sbaped
caim, the highest part of which does not now exceed 3 feet. A score or
more of small round cairns are scattered about close by. A number of
these we have opened, without finding any traces of a cist or deposit.
The Ulbster sculptured stone is about a quarter of a mile distant.
No. 5, short cairn, is close to the rath, or enclosed hill top of Garry-
whin, and in the compass of a few yards on its south-cast side are four
short cists set in the ground. Near by are tbe remains of three small
cairns. A few yards from the cisls there is a small caim which con-
taioed no cist, but had a skeleton laid on a flat stone, 2 feet long by
about 10 inches in its least breadth. In a cavily among tbe stones of
which the cairn was composed, and resting on this flat stone, were the
remains of the skeleton, the long bones being all laid together as if the
legs and arms had been doubled up in front. At a little distance, in the
edge of a small loch, there is anotlier small cairn with a central cist
ridcd long ago. On the other side of a narrow valley there is a small
cairn about 30 feet in diameter and less than 3 feet high in the centre,
which was fouml to contain a cist, with an urn, ornamented with tlie
"twi.steil thong." Two oval chipped flints, with sharply chipped edges
and thick backs (" scruj<erswere also found in the cist. This cairn
had also a relative alignment of small standing stones diverging from tbe
soutlj-west side in irregularly parallel rows. Of these about fifty stones
are yet remaining. At a little distance to tlie south there is another
small cairii of tbe same kind, containing a central cist fornK-d of four
r)(>4 i')t«)*.E;anN<;s t»F THE S<M'IKI'Y, .tuNE isah.
slalis, with a liivg*' ruvcving stone, anil mcasuiing internally 5 fr-et long,
2h feet hroad, and 2<t inches deep. To this cairn also a relative align-
raent of small standing stones has l>ceD attached, diverging, as in the
other two cases, from the soutb-west side; hut only a few stones remain.
On the top of the hill there is a large chanil>ered circular cnim, peculiar
from its being hicamc-ral, and having a small side chamber. Not far to
the norlli is a very Jurge hroch. In fact, there are cairns or hrochs all
around; and one can scarcely go a quarter of a mile in any direction
among these hills without meeting with ancient strnetnral remains of
one kind or other.
Aiialofjy U'itU Sepulchral Slrucluret of olhcr Couniries.—AVorsaue's
description «jf the Hunengral>er, or "Giants' Graves," which occur
on the north and east coasts of Denmark (rarely on the west or in
the interior), answers pretty nearly to the general features of the long
cairns I have described, except that the chambers are roofed, without
domes, by great flot blocks. The Himengraber are mostly CO to
feet in length, by 16 to 24 feet in breadth; the largest varying fn)m 200
to 400 feet in length, aud from 3t> to 40 feet iu breadth. They lie most
frequently east and west, and arc surrotiudod at the base by single or
double enclosures of stones on end. In those that have hut one chamber,
it is usually placed at one end of the grave-mound. They differ, how-
ever, from the Caithness long cairns in being composed of earth and
stones, and there is no mention of any appeorance of concave curvature
at the ends of these mounds.
The Caithness structures present a still closer analogy to the "long
barrows" of Yorkshire, Berkshire, Gloucester, Wiltshire, and Somerset-
shire, in Et>gland. Of the long barrows of Wiltshire, Mr Cunoington
observes that tliey nearly all stand east aQ<I west, the east l>«ing the
wider end; ard that, out of eleven whicdi he opened, nine hod skeletons
at the east end. Sir R|charJ Colt Hoare says, "We have invariably
found the sepulchral deposit placed under the east end of the tumulus."
The Kev. W. Greenivell. speaking of tlie remarkable nature of the
" long barrows." says, '• they are nearly always placed approximately
east and west, and have the interments at the cast end;" and that, "in
districts where stone is found of a kind suitable for such a purpose, they
contain a lung rhainber at the east end, formed of large slabs, and in
<»N THE llUlCNEU CAIKNS UK CAITHNKSE. oOu
son)c cases having olTsels." These are features cuiniiien lu the lung
cuirns of Caithness^ and if tlie long harrows of England are nut
"horned" like those of this district, they have a further feature of
external structure, which is very suggestive of similarity of type. In the
cnse of the Scamridge " long harrow," Mr Greenwell states that it was
turmed of oolite nihhle, lay nearly east aud west, was 105 feet long, 46
feet l>road at the w est end, and 54 feet ut the east end ; and he adds that,
ahoiit 5 feet from the exterior on the north side, it hud a regfularly built
uall of Hut limestone flags. Tlie cbamhered " long harrows " at Stoney
LitHefon, Somersetshire, and Uley, Gloucestershire, had a dry wall of
horizontal courses of stones, from 2 to 6 feet in height, running round
them. The long harrow at West Kennet, in Wiltshire, bad a similar
wall of horizontal courses, with large upright stones at intervals. A
double dry wall ran completely round the long harrows of Rodmarton
and Ahliiigton. It may he possible that some of these may have been
"horned," although the horns may have become so much obliterated oa
not to attract the notice of the explorers. In none of the cases de-
scribed is the character of this dry walling at the comers, or around the
ends of the caini, specified.
[Since this paper was written, I have read with pleasure the exliaus-
tive account of the long harrows of the south of England, by John
Tliurnam, M.D. F.S.A., in " Archteologia," vol. xlii. It is there stated
that further researches may show that the double enclosing wall was a
general feature of these cbamhered long barrows. I am glad to notice,
also, that in the chambered long barrows of Uley, Littleton Drew, Rod-
marton, and Stoney Littleton, a double curvature at the wide end of the
cairn has been made out, differing, however, from tlie comuted ends of
the Caithness cairns in being convex instead of concave outwardly, thus
giving the wide end of the cairn the appearance of " the top of the figure
i>f the ace of hearts." The passage opens at the junction of these
o[iposing curves. In the Uley "long harrow" the curves are double,
cine within another, as are the cornuted projections of the Caithness
cairns. The West Kennet long harrow has yielded pottery ornamented
vvitli the " thunih-nail pattern ; " and this and the leaf-shaped arrow-heads
of the long burrow of Uodmarton are similar to tlio ornamonled pottery
and leaf-shnpud arrow-heiids 'if the liorned cairn of Get, in t'uitlmess.]
"»0C PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, JCNE 1868.
Ab teganls Ibu peculiar foim aBSumed by tbe externAl outline of th«s«'
liorneil cairns, and adhered to with such persistency as (o suggest a
deeper meaning than any mere structural reason would convey, 1 can
find nothing in Britain rescrobliDg it, with (he single exception of a
I'airn at Annaclogh Mullen, in Ireland, figured in the ApiHjndix to
" Archajologia," vol. xv. p. 409, as a Druidical temple, but which seems
unfortunately to have been very imperfectly explored.
Bresciani, in his work, "Dei Costumi della Sardegna," descriWs the
" Criants' Graves " of that island as having been originally (like some of
our own cromlechs) covered by earthen tumuli; but their peculiar
feature is a low, semi-circular, double wall of large stones set on edge,
ami close to one another, which runs out in front of (he chamber from
either aide of the entrance—is similarly placed and similar in form to the
" horns " of these peculiar cairns. The purpose of this, says Bresciani.
is to serve fer aia tacra al dffunto." The chamber or " cistvsen " in
these tombs is formed of large slabs. It me^ures from five to ten metres
in length, and (us in the case of the long cairns) the entrance, with its
outspreading comuted appendages, is turned towards the east. Traces
of similar sepulchres are found in the Balearic Islands. The appear-
ance of this cornuted structure, in connection with the early sepulchres
<»f Sardinia and the Baleares, is the more remarkable, as being associated
with another class of edifices peculiar to these islands, and known as
"Nuragbes." These edifices are circular towers, and, as described by
Bresciani' and Micali,^ they are singularly suggestive of an architectural
" cross " between the Picts' houses of Orkney and the brocbs of the
North of Scotland.
Captain Meadows Taylor, in an admirable and suggestive paper read
before the Boyal Irish Academy (May 13, 18C2), traces a remarkable
similarity of construction and contents existing between certain cbrsses
of cairns and cromlechs, Ac., in the Dekkan and the ancient sepulchral
structures of the British Isles. The ground plan of one of those which
he figures, near Mundewallee, Sborapoor^ is diamond-shaped externally,
and has a circular enclosure set within a double diamond-shaped outer
^ Doi Costumi delta Sardegna, capo vi.
' Slorin degli Anliciii Popoli Itaiiani. capo xx.
ON THE HOKNED CAIRNS OF CAITHNESS.
507
ciruumvftllation. This is aD a^ijroxiiDation to the type of tbe abort
cairn (No. 4) at Orrniegill, so far as the double e.xterior wall and inner
circular wall are concerned. 1 merely point out these remote resem-
lilances as suggestive.
Perhaps, if I were inclined to broach a theory, it would be that the
form of these singular structures points to the probability of a Turanian
origin. If the short cairns were terraced externally (as it seems not im-
probable they may have been), they would present a strong resemblance
to tbe topes of Sanchi, Manikyala, and Amravati, described ' as double-
walled domical structures, with a raised terrace or "procession path"
running all round. The characteristic cella on the summit of the topes
is a feature of which we have uo evidence in connection with sepulchral
cairns in this country, but it is singular that the only construction that
at all resembles tbe " horns " of the Caithness cairns is still in use in
connection with sepulchral architecture in Mantcbooria and tbe Tartar
provinces of China. It is described by Fortune and others as a horse-
shoe shaped platform with a high back, in the centre of which is tbe
opening to the tomb, the semicircular walls sloping off to nothing at the
points of the horse-shoe. This construction is usually in the side of a
hill, but it is also imitated on plain ground. Some of tbe ancieut Tartar
borrows in Bu&sian Tartary, described by Demidoff and Stralenberg,
appear to have bad tbe peculiarity of a triply divided chamber, which is
such a striking feature of the Caithness cairns, and the sepulchral usages
appear to have been in many respects very similar.
In the structure of tbeir chambers, I have already remarked that the
horned cairns are similar to tbe chambered circular cairns of the district,
and that these are analogous to the chambered cairns of Irelaud. The
extensive group of cbsiubered cairns recently explored by Mr Conwell at
Slieve-na-Calligb appear to l>e of somewhat tbe same type internally as
the Caithness chambered cairns, though diileriDg in tbe details of tbe
arrangement of the chamber. The coustant recurrence of the tri-partite
cliambcr here, however, has always suggested to my mitid a symbolism
of some kind.
Sepulchral Usages in the Homed Caims.—While the long cairns
thus present a close analogy with the Hiinengrsber of Denmark, as
' Feriruxon's History of .\rcliili'olur«,
008
PKOCEEDINGS Of THE SOCIETY, JUNE 18lits.
regards Ibe length and direclioD of the cairn and the irosition of the
chamber, and have even a closer resemblaDce to the chambered long
barrows of Englandyet the burial usages, as indicated by the con-
tents of the chambers, a(>pcar to have been quite different. In the
Hunengraber only nnburnt skeletons, with rveapons of dint, are found.
In the long burrows of England, too, the bodies have been generally
deposited unhurnt. In the Caithness long cairns, we have not found
proof of the deposition of unhurnt bodies having preceded sepulture
.after cremation, although indications are not wanting which lead to
the presumption that unbumt bodies may have been deposited on the
original door of the chamber previous to the accumulation of ashes am)
burnt bones, by which it is usually characterised. For instance, it was
common, on digging up the layer of ashes in the chamber Door, to find
unhurnt bones under and through it, and usually in the corners of thu
compartments a quantity of unhurnt teeth. But altbongh we had
nothing but presumptive evidence of unhurnt burials previous to the
general cremation of the floors, we had, in all coses, the clearest evidence
of the deposition of unhurnt bodies subsequent to tbe cremation of the
chamlier floors. Tbis accords with tlie experience of the Rev. Mr Green-
well of tbe Argyleshire chambered cairns, from which be concludes,
''contrary to the general opinion," that there the age of cremation pre-
ceded, and perhaps long preceded, the age of burial. Unquestioiiahly,
the latest mode of sepulture in the whole of the chambered cairns of
Caithness, of whatever form, was by depositing unhurnt bodies on the
lop of a door formed of the remains of liurnt bodies, and apparently
trodden till the burnt bones and fragments of urns were impacted with
the ashes into a solid layer. All tbe fractures of tbe pottery imbedded
ill these doors are old fractures. Gnburnt, hut broken and splintered,
bones of animals accompany the unhurnt human remains on the door,
just as burnt, but equally broken and splintered, liones of animals
accompany the burnt human remains below. In the case of No. 2, long
cnirn, we have an interment after cremation secondary tj the general
cremation of the door, and accomjianied by an urn and l>cads enclosed
within the cist. The order of the different modes of sepulture in this
chamlier would tlius bo presumably—(1.) Burials unhurnt; (2.) burials
after oicmali'in, possibly extending over a very long pciiod. but with-
ON TIIK IIUKNBD CAIUNS OF CAITHNESS.
500
out accompnuyiog ums, weapons, or orDaments; (3.) a single burial
(secondary to tbo cairn), in an enclosing cist, with urn and oniameDts;
and (4.) simple burial (possibly conteraporaDeous with burial 3), by
depositing the bodies unburnt on the floor of the chamber.
The difference in quantity of the contents of tlie chaml)er in the long
and short cairns is very marked. In both the short cairns the accumu-
latioD of ashes and burnt bones in the floors was very great. In the
long cairns tlie floor was composed nearly us much of clay as of ashes
and bones. In the short cairns the quantity of broken pottery was very
large. Pottery only occurred in one of the long cairns, and then only
two small fragments were found—the secondary cist and its contents in
No 2 being excepted. In both the short cairns flint chips and worked
flints wore numerous, and flnished weapons were found in both; but no
vestige of worked flint was found in any of the long caims except the
small conical core in No. 1, and even chips were extremely rare.
While, therefore, cremation seems to iiave been practised sparingly in
the lung cairns, it becomes the principal feature of the chamber in the
short ones, and along with it the deposition of weapons and ornaments
scorns to have taken place only in the short cairns. In both the long
and the short cairns, whether burial unburnt may have been the first
sepulchral usage practised or nut, it most certainly was the last, although
it is quite possible that the same people may have used one form of
burial for certain ranks or classes, and another for others—may have
burned the higher ranks (as rank then was), and only buried meaner
men.
Whose Sepulchres are they t—It has been conjectured that tlie chambered
cairns are the sepulchres of the broch-buitders. This remains yet to l>o
proved. Although there is a certain undcnned resemblance in llie general
cbaracter of tbc masonry of tbe two classes of structures, yet the type is
so totally distinct, that it is difficult to conceive of them as lieing tbe work
of the same people, unless, indeed, it be supposed that tliey were impelled
by a strong religious sentiment to construct the sepulchres of their clea<l
in harmony with some symbolic idea, the working out of wliicli bad no
reference to tbe arcliitectiiral notions which g^^idod them in the con-
slruction of their dwellings of strength. The later constrnctioiis found
in coiinectii>n with the brochs pres< nt one striking feature, wbieh is also
510
PKUCKEDINUS OK THE SOCIETY, JUNE I8e8.
present in the chambered cairns—the frequent use of long flat stones
set on end across the wull, and uf large flat stones built into the face of
the wall—the intermixture of ortbolithic with common walling. The
horizontal arch is common to all the primitive structures, and aflbrds
no criterion of their relative antiquity. The relics obtained from the
brochs are chiefly domestic, while those of the cairns are chiefly personal,
—weapons and ornaments—thus afiforJing no materials for com(>ari8on.
Although we have found small conical cores of worked flint in the broch
of Yarliouse and in the long cairn (No. 1) immediately altove it, and
pottery of the same ornamentation' has been found in the broch and in
one of the short cairns, these are too slender data upon which to found
conclusions.
Whether these horned cairns, and, indeed, all the chambered cairns,
were originally constructed as sepulchres or as dwellings is unothei
question, on which there may he some difference of opinion. For my
own part, I have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that their
original purpose was rather that of honourable mansions for the dead
than of serviceable dwellings for the living. 1 cannot conceive of the
expenditure of the enormous amount of labour implied in the construe*
tion of a building (as a dwelling) in which the chamber should be placed,
Rs in Nos. 1 and 2, and should occupy only about a hundredth part of
the capacity of the structure; while, if shelter or defence, or both, bad
been the object, the cbamber (which is the primary object of a building
for habitation) could have been made stronger and more serviceable with
less than a hundredth part of the toil. If these chambers were ever
occupied as habitations, we have found no household implements on
their floors, such as are obtained in the brochs—notbing but weapons,
ornaments, and pottery, and the common accompaniments of the funereal
rites. But, on the other band, the desire to honour and perpetuate the
memory of the mighty dead is motive sufficient to account for the
expenditure of any amount of laborious toil, and only those who have
seen these enormous cairns and their situations can have any idea of
the vast amount of labour expended upon them.
' Tbe point of a fliiger or thumb nail thrust obliquely into the clay, a style of
ernamentation common on the pottery of the Swiss lake dwellings.
ON THE HORNED CAIRNS OK CAITHNESS.
511
Wlicrever, smong the revolving centuries, the date of these mighty
monumental structures may be found, the people that reared them were
no deepicahio barbarians. Tbey are the work of a people possessed of
no inconsiderable constructive skill, ingenuity, and resource,—a people
numerous, united, and energetic,—and a people, too, of strong reverential
feelings and sentiments regarding the sacredoess of the remains and
memories of those who were dear to them in life, and who may also have
heen in their day " the terror of the mighty in the laud of the living."
rONTKNTS OF TIIK ClIAUUKKS IN TIIK IIOKNKD C.MIiNS.
Lon'j
No. 1. Oq tlie floor, brok<'ii bomnn and animal bones, mingled, unbiimt.
Imbedded in tbe floor of aelies, a Urge quantity of comminuted and burnt
bones.
A few flint cliips, Bmalbsized.
One suiull conical worked flint.
Two pieces of pottery, unorDamenieJ.
No. 2. On tbe floor, broken liuman bones and bones of animals splintered, mingled,
unburnt.
Also, a cist with enclosed nrn, ornuineutud with twisted string impression,
and deposit of seventy beads of lignite.
Imbedded in the floor of asbcs, a large quantity of bones, human and animal,
broken and splintered, cliiefly burnt,
No flint ciiips, no pottery.
No. 3. One fragment of bono of large animal in small chamber, with floor of slatis
of stone. No nshei.
In tri-partite chamber, on the floor, hnmaii and nninial hones mingled,
broken and splintered, unburnt Bones of liorue, ox, deer, and swine.
Imbedded in the floor of ashes, bones, liuman and animal, broken and
liumt. No flints and no pottery.
Short Cairnt.
No. 4. On the floor, broken and splintered bones, human and animal, unburnt.
Imbedded in the floor of ashes, an immense quantity of bones, burnt, liuman
and animal, the latter those of horse, ox, deer, and swine, with dog or fox
and small fowl; of the long bonce, only tlie joint ends remaining, the rest
in splinters; also bones of the rat or vole in immense qnantities.
I'otlcry, ornamented and plain, five or six varieties.
Flint chips, several scores, some partly worked.
One polished hammer of grey granite, perforated.
312
I'ltOCKKOIXiJS OF TlIK SlKinY, -ILfSK 1S(W.
Tlio (loint end of ft (inely-wroiigUt fliut knife, ground to an edge.
One fliut (knife), ungrouiid.
Sercrol BCrapers of flint, oiio finely worked.
Two trinngulftr arrow-lieftils of flint, one aiiigledtnrbcd.
No. &. On the flour, a uuiiiberof HkuJb, four uearly entire; broken booea, liiimnn
ftud ftiiimui, uiibiinit.
Imbedded in the floor uf ftHliea, a very large <iuii»tity of burnt bones, human
and ftuiraul, the animal bones being iliose of the horso, ox (both of very
largo size), deer, sheep or goat, dog or fox, and swino, with a large sixxies
of fowl—all burnt or imrlialiy burnt. Hat bones (or vulel in layers of an
inch Ihick occurred hero and then: thronglioiit the flour.
Pottery, in largo quantity, urnameiited and pluin; oriiument, the Ihunib-
nail pattern.
Flint ehipg, in largo quautities, burnt and ui.biiriit, some partially wurked.
Two leuf'sbapod arrow-JieaUs.
NOTICES
Of
SCOTTISH CEANNOOS
AN II OP
ANALOGOUS REMAINS IN OTHER COUNTRIES,
BY
JOHN STUART,
KeCilETARV OP TDC SOCIETY OP ANTIQUAIIIES OP SCOTl-VNP.
R^trinteJ from (he Proeetdingti of (he ffoeiefy of Antiquarie* of Sfotlatid,
VoL VI. Pari I.
P III N T E U
EDINBUEGH:
BY NETLL AND COMPANY,
UDCCCLXTI.
NOTICES OF ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS"
IN SCOTLAND.
In December 1857, Mr Joseph Bobertson read a paper to the Society
entitled " Notices of the Isle of the Loch of Banchory, the Isle of Loch
CaoiDor, and other Scottish examples of the artihcial or stockaded
islands, called CraDDOgee in Ireland, and Eeltischen Pfahlbautcn in
Switzerland."
This paper was not printed in the Proceedings, in consequence of
Mr Bobertson's desire to amplify his notices of these ancient remains.
Other engagements having prevented him from carrying out his design,
he recently placed his collections in my hands, with permission to add to
my account of Scottish crannogs, anything from his notes which I might
care to select. Of this permission I have gladly availed myself, and the
passages introduced from Mr Bobertson's collection are acknowledged at
the places where they occur. J. S.
June 1666.
The late Loch of Dowalton, or, as it is called in the Survey of Timothy
Pont in Blaeu's Atlas, the Loch of Boirlant, was situated in the centre
of that district of Wigtonshire called The Machars—a peninsula bounded
on the west by the Bay of Luce, and on the east by the Bay of Wigton.
It was about five miles from the burgh of Whithorn, and occupied the
lower end of a narrow valley of some five miles in length. It was
2
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS."
environed by mosses on the east and west (those on the west extending a
distance of four miles, under the names of Bmmmodie Moss, Drnmscallnn
Moss, and others), which emptied part of their waters on the west end
into the sea near Monreith, and the rest into the loch. The Moss of
liavenston is on the east of the loch, and there were rising grounds on its
other sides. It was surrounded by the parishes of Eirkioner, Sortie, and
Glasserton, which met at a point in its centre. The old parish of Long-
castle, now part of Eirkinner, is on its north-west side, and ruinous
walls, of DO determinate character, are yet to be seen on the islands called
Loiigcastle, and Hern Isle, on the north shore of the loch. The lech was
of an irregular form, about If mile in greatest length by about fths of
a mile in greatest breadth, without any marked outfall for drainage. Sir
William Maxwell has recently effected this, by making a cut at its south-
eastern extremity through the wall of whinstone and state which closes
in the valley. This cut is 25 feet in depth for some distance.
The water having been partially drawn off in the summer of 1863, the
island abodes now to he described became visible. In the month of
August of that year, some of them were examined hy Earl Percy (then
Lord Lovaine), who read an account of them to the meeting of the British
Association held at Newcastle in the course of that month. At that
time, however, the depth of water and mud only permitted a partial
examination. About a year after this, 1 had an opportunity of examin-
ing these remains, when on a visit to Sir William Maxwell. By this
time the whole bed of the loch was exposed, and all the islands were
approachable, although in many places the great depth of quaking
clay rendered it somewhat difficult to walk upon, and in some deep
spots, where the clay was softer than elsewhere, even dangerous, from
the risk of sinking.
The rough outline sketch (Plate I.) will give an idea of the shape
of the loch, and it wUI be convenient to describe the islands in the order
in which they there occur, beginning at the west end; in doing so, I
avail myself of the details in Lord Percy's paper.*
The first is called Miller's Cairn, from its having been a mark of the
levels, when the loch was drained by cuts for feeding neighbouring mills.
One of these cuts is known to have been made at a remote period. It
* TraDsoctioDS of (be Britufa Associntion Meeting at Newcastle, 18C8, p. 141.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OU " CRANNOGS." 3
was still surronnded by water when the place was visited by Lord Percy
in 1863. On approaching the cairn (Plate 1. fig. 1), the numerous
rows of piles which surrounded it first attracted notice. These piles
were formed of young oak trees. Lying on the north*ea8t side, were
mortised frames of beams of oak, like hurdles, and below these, round
trees laid horizontally. In some cases the vertical piles were mortised
into horizontal bars. Below them, were layers of hazel and birch
branches, and under these were masses of fern, the whole mixed with
large boulders, and penetrated by piles. Above all, was a surface of
stones and soil, which was several feet under water till the recent drainage
took place. The hurdle frames were neatly mortised together, and were
secured by pegs in the mortise holes.
On one side of the island, a round space of a few feet in size appeared,
on which was a layer of white clay, browned and calcined, as from the
action of fire, and around it were bones of animals, and ashes of wood.
Below this was a layer of fern and another surface of clay, calcined as
in the upper case. A small piece of bronze was found between the two
layers. On the top another layer of fern was found, but the clay, and the
slab which probably rested upon it, bad been removed. There can be no
doubt that this had been used as a hearth. In one of the crannogs in
Loughrea, in Ireland, the fiag which formed the hearth-stone rested in
the same way on a moss of yellow clay.'
Near this cairn a bronze pan was found; and opposite to it, on the
south and north margins of the looh, uprooted trees, mostly birch and
alder, were seen, which had all fallen to the east. Hazel branches had
been much used in the formation of the island, and many hazel nuts
were found among the debris. In the layers, the leaves and nuts were
perfectly distinct. The bark also remained, and the fern and heather
looked as if recently laid down. The fern is the common bracken, of
which in many places the fronds were quite perfect. In some places
innumerable chrysalides of an insect occurred between the layers of fern;
they are found to be those of a dipterous fly of the genus Dicara, closely
allied to the " daddy long-legs."
In the vicinity of this cairn is a ridge of rock which might have
formed the nucleus of a superstructure, but it was not used. Miller's
> Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, vol. viii. p. 421.
A 2
4 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOgS.*
Cairn was much dilapidated. Lines of piles, apparently to support a
causeway, led from it to the shore.
The next in order is the largest island (Plate I. fig. 2). Lord Percy
succeeded in reaching it in a boat in 1863. It appeared to him to be
3 feet below the level of the other islands, and, from several depressions
on its surface, to have sunk. The progress of excavation was, however,
soon checked by the oozing in of the water. On the south side of the
island great pains had been taken to secure the structure; heavy slabs of
oak, 5 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 inches thick, were laid one upon
another in a sloping direction, bolted together by stakes inserted in
mortises of 8 inches by 10 inches in size, and connected by square pieces
of timber 3 feet 8 inches in length. The surface of the island was of
stones, resting on a mass of compressed brushwood, below which were
branches and stems of small trees, mostly hazel and birch, mingled with
stones, apparently for compressing the mass. Below this were layers of
brushwood, fern, and heather, intermingled with stones and soil, the whole
resting on a bed of fern 3 or 4 feet in thickness. The mass was pinned
together by piles driven into the bottom of the loch, some of which went
through holes in the horizontal logs. The general appearance of the
island, and of the mortised beams ou its south side, will be gathered from
tbo sketches engraved on Plate II. figs. 2 and 3. For these sketches I
am indebted to the courtesy of Lord Percy. I noticed some of these fiat
beams of great size and length (one of them 12 feet long) with three
mortise holes in the length, 7 inches square. A thick plank of oak of
about 6 feet in length, bad grooves on its two edges, as if for something
to slide in; and it may be noted that some of the oak beams in the Irish
crannog at Bunshaughlin, county of Meath, had their sides grooved in
like manner, to admit large panels driven down between them.* This
island measured about 23 yards across, and was surrounded by many rows
of piles, some of which had the ends cut square over, as if by several
strokes of a small hatchet. Mr Chalmers, the intelligent overseer of Sir
William Maxwell, pointed out to me vestiges of branches interlaced in
the beams of the hurdles. On the north-east side, and under the super-
structure of the island, a canoe was found, mode of a single tree of oak.
* Wilde's Catalogue of Antiquities in Mttsenm Royal Irish Acadoiny, p. 222.
SCOTTISH ABTIiriClA.L ISLANDS OB " CBAKN0G8,"
5
It was 21 feet in length, 3 feet 10 inches across over all near the stern,
which was square. Its depth at the stern was 17 inches, or, including
the backboard which closed the stem, 20 inches. The stern was formed
by a plank inserted in a groove on each side, with a backboard pegged
on above it. The part containing the grooves was left very thick. Thcro
were two thole-pins on each side, inserted in squared holes in the solid,
which was left to receive them, and wedged in with small bits of wood.
One thwart of hr or willow remained. A plank or wash-hoard, projecting
a few inches over the edge, ran round the canoe. It rested on the top,
and was fastened with pegs into the solid. The vessel was pointed at the
bow, and the sketch, for which I am indebted to Lord Percy (Plate II.
fig. 1), will give a general idea of it. As I have said, it was found in the
foundations of the island, with hurdles and planks above it. It was very
complete, and in good order. In the mass of stuiT thrown out, a piece
of curiously stamped leather was found, apparently part of a shoe. Great
quantities of the teeth and bones of animals were strewed over the surface
of the island and surrounding mud. Bones were also found at dilTerent
depths in the mass, but always below the upper layer of faggots, and
towards the inside. All the bones were split, probably to admit the
extraction of the marrow. Specimens of the bones were submitted to
Professor Owen, who has expressed his opiniou of them in the following
note
"^The hones and teeth, from the lake dwellings, submitted to niy
examination by Lord Lovaine, included parts of the ox, hog, and goal.
The ox was of the size of the Bo$ Ungifrona or Highland kyloe, and
was represented by teeth, portions of the lower jaw, and some bones of
the limbs and trunk. The remains of the Sua were a lower jaw of a sow,
of the size of the wild boar, and detached teeth. With the remains of
the small run>inant, of the size of the sheep, was a portion of cranium
with the base of a bom core, more resembling in shape that of the be-
goat. Not any of these remains had lost their animal matter.— B. 0."
Other^specimens of the bones presented by Sir William Maxwell are
in the Museum. Begardiiig these I have been favoured with the follow-
ing roeraorandum by Dr John Alex. Smith, Sec.:—
" After a careful examination of the bones now in the museum, found
on an artificial jsland in Dowallon Loch, in which I was kindly assisted
6 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANN008."
ty Mr William Turner, H.B.; we find them to conaist of thoae of small
short-horned cattle—the Bos longifrona, I doubt not, of Professor Owen
—similar to those found with Bomau remains at Newstead, and presented
by me to the museum—a rather small-sized pig, and the sheep; also a
bone of a large bird. The mass of fern leaves forming the substratum
of the dwelling consisted of the Pterit aguilina, the common bracken,"
On one spot, a few flat stones were placed as if for a hearth. They
showed marks of fire, and around them were asbes and bones. The bronze
dish of Boman work afterwards described was found in the mud, near
the east margin of the loch. The best saucepan was found between this
island and the shore. A small circular brooch of bronze, four whetstones,
and two iron hammers, were found on the island. A third iron hammer
was found near it, and may have been thrown out with the debris.
Lumps of iron slag were also found on this island, and similar masses
have been found on several of the Irish oranuogs.
The original depth from the surface of the island to the bottom, was
probably from 6 to 7 feet; but the structure was much dilapidated before
I saw it.
Proceeding southward, we come to the island first examined by Lord
Percy (Plate I. fig. 3). It proved to be nearly circular, and to be
about 13 yards in diameter. Its surface was raised about feet above the
mud, and on each side of it were two patches of stone nearly touching it.
These, probably, answered the purpose of the jetty or pier, formed of a
double row of piles, about 8 feet asunder, which supported horizontal
logs, noticed on one side of the crannog in Cloonfinlough.* On the north
side lay a canoe of oak, between the two patches, and surrounded by
piles, the beads just appearing above the surface of the mud. It was
24 feet long, 4 feet 2 inches broad in the middle, and 7 inches deep, the
tliicknessof the bottom being 2 inches. Under the stones which covered
the surface, teeth of swine and oxen were found. A trench was cut round
the islet, and at the south end a small quantity of asbes was turned
up, in which were teeth and burned bones, part of an armlet of glass
covered with a yellow enamel, and a large broken bead of glass, together
with a small metal ornament; two other pieces of a gloss armlet, one
' ProceudingB Royul Irish Acudcmy, vol. v. p. 209.
SCOTTISH ARTIPICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS." 7
striped blue and white, were also found on the eorraee. Tbeso objects
were found on the outside of the islet, about 2 feet from the surface.
On cutting into the islet itself, it proved to be wholly artificial, restiug
on the soft bottom of the loch, and in its composition exactly the same
as the large island already described. The whole mass was pinned
together by piles of oak and willow, some of them driven 2^ feet into
the bottom of the loch. The islet was surrounded by an immense
number of piles, extending to a distance of 20 yards around it; and
masses of stone, which apparently were meant to act as breakwaters,
were laid amongst them. On the sinking of the mud, a canoe was found
between the islet and the northern shore. It was 18^ feet long, and
2 feet 7 inches wide. A block of wood cut to fill a bole, left probably
by a rotten branch, was inserted in the side, 2 feet long, 7 inches wide,
and 5^ inches thick, and was secured by pegs driven through the side;
across the stern was cut a deep groove to admit a backboard; in both
canoes a hole 2 inches in diameter was bored in the bottom.
The next islet is about 60 yards from the last, and nearer to a rocky
projection, on the south margin of the loch. It was examined by Lord
Percy, and was found to be smaller; the layers were not so distinctly
marked, and some of the timbers inserted under the upper layer of brush-
wood were larger, and either split or cut to a face. A stake with two
holes bored in it about the size of a finger, a tbin piece of wood, in which
mortises had been cut, and a box, the interior of which was about six
inches cube, with a ledge to receive the cover, very rudely cut out of a
block of wood, were found. I saw this rude box, but it has gone to
pieces since that time.
On the south-east side of the locb, near one of the little promontories,
were several cairns surrounded by piles, of which the outline liad mostly
disappeared at the time of my visit. When they were first seen by Lord
Percy, there were six structures of the same character as those already
described, arranged in a semicircle. They were, however, much smaller
than the others, and appeared to have been single dwellings. Though
upon some of them charred wood was found, nothing else was discovered
except a mortised piece of timber, which might liave been drifted there;
and in one, inserted uixler the up^ter layer of brushwood, a large oak
beam, measuring 8 feet long by 3 in circumference.
8 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOG8."
This group of smalt islets was close to the shore. They had, however,
been surrounded by water at the time when the level of the loch reached
the highest beach mark. 1 could not discover any causeway or piled
connection with the shore.
Near the north margin of the loch, a canoe was found in the mud. It
measured 25 feet in length, and was strengthened by a projecting cross
band towards the centre, left in the solid in hollowing out the inside;
lying under it a portion of another canoe was found. Along this shore
many uprooted trees occur in the mud, mostly birch and alder; some
trees also are still rooted.
The articles already found on the islets and neighbourhood are:—
1. Bronze dish, with handle, of
Roman work.
2. Two bronze dishes, hammered
out of the solid.
3. A smaller bronze dish of separ*
ate pieces, rivetted together.
4. A bronze ring, having attached
to it a portion of the vessel of
which it had been a handle.
5. Fragment of leather, with a
stamped pattern on it.
6. A large blue glass bead.
7. Two glass beads, with streaks
and spots.
8. A bead of amber.
9. A bead of vitreous paste.
10. A small brooch of bronze.
11. A small ring of bronze.
12. A copper coin.
13. Five querns.
14. A fragment of bronze.
15. Pieces of iron slag.
16. A small earthen crucible.
17. Whetstones.
18. Three iron hammers.
19. Portions of armlets of cna-
melled glass.
20. Five canoes.
Most of the articles were found in the neighbourhood of the islands.
It is probable that the bronze vessel found near the eastern margin, as
well as other articles, may have been floated off during the period when
the islands were submerged. It is plain, from the appearance of several
beaches of rolled stones around the margin of the loch, that the waters had
stood at different leveb at different times,—at one time 6 or 7 feet above
its last level, to which it was reduced by three successive cuts made
to feed neighbouring mills,—one of them certainly of great antiquity.
SCOTTISH AUTIFICIAX ISLANDS OB "CRANNOGS." 9
WheD at this height, the surface of the mosses to ihe west must aUo
have been under water. Lord Percy has remarked, that at 3^ feet below
the ordinary level, there are unmistakable appearances of a former beach,
with which the top of the islet, first examined by him, coincides. Sir
William Maxwell suggests, as an easy explanation of the different levels
found in the loch, that the waters originally discharged themselves into the
sea from the western end of the valley, and at last, in consequence of the
formation of moss towards its centre, a fart of them could only escape in
that way, while the remainder was forced into the loch. On this as-
sumption. Lord Percy concludes that the structures must be supposed to
have been formed in the early stages of the growth of the moss, while the
loch was so shallow as to make it easy to raise the obstructing moss above
its waters, and yet deep enough to float canoes and afford the desired
security from an enemy. He adds that it is difficult to conjecture the
state of the loch when these edifices were formed, and whether or not
they were completed at one period. The finding of the large stones in
the lower layer of ferns might, he thinks, lead to the belief that they
were gradually raised as the waters of the loch increased; and that the
slrenglhening them by breakwaters might be held to prove that the loch
had risen considerably before they were abandoned.
The rising of the level of the loch is a feature common to this with
the Irish lochs, in which crannogs have been found. In some Irish
cases there are appearances of these having been raised to meet
this change of circumstances; but when we consider the compressible
nature of the materials, it is more likely that the islands may, in many
instances, have required such heightening from the effect of natural
subsidence. The stones among the lower strata of fern were probably
used to compress and solidify the substructure in the course of erection,
and it seems to me most probable that the islets were wholly erected ut
one time.
It would appear'that no islets were above the surface of the water at
the time of Pont's survey, about the middle of the seventeeth century.
In Blaeu's map of Galloway no islets are seen on the loch of Dowaiton,
while several are laid down in the neighbouring loch of Mochnim, which
shows that such projections were not overlooked.
Id the moss of Kavenston, a little to the east of Dowaiton, five padillcs
10
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANI>8 OK " CRANNOCS."
of oak were discovereil lying close to a mass of timbers abont 6 feet
andor the surface. Lord Percy was led to believe that these were the
remains of a structure similar to those in the loch of Powalton. One of
these paddles forms part of the donation of Sir William Maxwell to the
Museum (Plate II. fig. 4).
In the White Loch of Mertoun (a name which reminds us of the
Cluain-fiD-lougb in Roscommon, which is said to mean " the enclosure of
the White Lake"), about three miles westward from Bowalton, there was
formerly a stockaded island. The discovery of the islands in Dowalton
Locb, brought to the recollection of an old man in the service of Sir
William Maxwell, that when the loch was partially drained by Sir Wil*
Ham's grandfather, he had seen a small island in it with timbers, piles,
and flat stones on its surface. This led to an examination of the island,
from which it appeared that it was surrounded by piles, and was con-
structed, like those at Dowalton, of layers of furze, faggots and brush-
wood, layers of fern, &c. This island, prior to the lowering of the locb,
had been covered by eight feet of water.
On Dunbill, which is a rising ground a short way from the south-east
end of Dowalton Loch, there remains a circular rath, surrounded by a
deep ditch. The rath is about 36 yards in diameter. Similar elevations
occur on the north and south-west sides of the locb, where rathe may
also have been placed, but if so, they have been obliterated by cultivation.
It will be remarked that no weapon or tool of stone has as yet been
found at Dowalton; but no certain inference can be drawn from this, as
such objects, with many others, may yet be found below the deep bed of
clay surrounding the islets.
Of the bronze objects which have been discovered, one is a dish of
Roman work, with a stamp (apparently cipipolis), on the handle
(Plate III. fig. 3). It measures inches in diameter at the mouth,
and 6 at the bottom. Its depth is 5^ inches. The handle is 7 inches
long, and there are five raised and turned rims on the bottom. It is
turned in the inside, in which respect, as well as its general appearance,
it resembles a bronze patella found in Teviotdale, presented to tbe
National Museum by Dr J. A. Smith, and figured in the Pruceedings of
tbe Society (vol. iv. p. 598).
Two vessels of the same character, the one within tbe other, were found
SCOTTISH AUriFICIAL ISLANDS OR " ORANNOOS." 11
iu a moss near Friars Carse in Dumfriessbire, in 1790. The largest one
has engraved or stamped on its bandie the letters ansikpdabb. They are
figured in the Archaeologia, vol. xi. p. 105. Another similar vessel, which
formed one of a remarkable collection of ornaments of the Boman period,
found in the county of Durham about the beginning of last century, now
in the British Museum, has on its bandie the letters mats * pab * bvbit.'
Other two bronze dishes have each been hammered up into form out
of a single piece, and to one an iron handle has been rivetted. They
resemble bronze culinary dishes found at Bodiogfield, in Essex, figured
in Archieologia, vol. xvi. p. 364. They are about 14 inches across by 3
or 4 in depth, and one of them is figured on Plate III. fig. 1. A third
is formed of two separate pieces welded together. It has obviously
been much used on the fire, and bears many marks of rude mending by
rivets. It has bad an iron handle for lifting it, and it measures 10 inches
across by 3 in depth. (See Plate III. fig. 1.)
The iron hammers have a great resemblance to those found with
Boman remains at Great Chesterfield, in Essex, in 1854, and figured in
the Archaeological Journal for 1856. Iron hammers of a somewhat
similar shape have been found in some of the Swiss deposits. An iron
hammer was found on a fortified island in Carlinwark Loch, and specimens
occur in the Irish crannogs. The axes figured on the column of Trajan
are generally narrow at one end, and expand into a wide cutting edge at
the other, and do not resemble those found at Dowalton.
The ring of bronze has obviously been rivetted to another object of
the same metal, of which a fragment remains. It so exactly resembles
one of two rings attached to a large Irish caldron, presented to our
Museum by the late Mr Leckie of Paisley, and to those of another caldron,
formed of plates of hammered bronze, rivetted together with pins of the
same metal, found under twelve feet of bog in the barony of Famey, in
Ulster, and figured in Mr Shirley's "Account of the Dominion of
Farney" (p. 185), that I cannot doubt of its having been originally
attached to a vessel of the same description. A similar ring formed part
of the mass of bronze relics dredged from the Loch of Duddingston.
The largest glass bead has a core of bronze, and is finely milled on a
projecting band of yellow glass on each ticck (Plate III. fig. 4).
* Arclteulogical Journal, vol. viii. p. 87.
12 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANN008."
Such heads of glass, and amber, are often found in cists, and occasion-
ally in Picts' bouses.
Enamelled glass armlets, like those found at Dowalton, are of very
rare occurrence. Two specimens are in the National Museum, of which
one was discovered in the Flanders Moss, in Stirlingshire, and the other
was found, with a necklace of jet hanging from it, in a sepulchral cairn
at Boghead, near Kintore, in Aberdeenshire.
Part of a similar armlet was recently discovered in excavating one of
the hut circles at Greaves Ash, in Northumberland. .
The stamped piece of leather seems to have formed part of a mocassin
or shoe (Plate III. fig. 5).
All these remains seem to be associated with an early period. The cop-
per coin is of doubtful character, but does not appear to be of great age;
as, however, it may have been dropped into the loch at any time, its occur-
rence does not disturb any inference which may be drawn from the general
character of the deposits. The coin was found near the third small island.
The general plan of construction of Scottish crannog islands, was
different from that of the crannogs in the Loch of Bowalton and the
White Loch of Mertoun.
The island in the Loch of Forfar, known as Queen Margaret's Inch,
was discovered in 1781, on the partial drainage of the loch, when it lost
ten feet of its depth. The island was formed in very deep water, by
driving oak piles into the bottom, and heaping on them a prodigious
quantity of stones, with a considerable stratum of earth above all. A
layer of heather was laid below the stones; and the island which, about
fifty years ago, measured about 450 feet in length by 150 in breadth, was
surrounded by piles of oak. Dr Jamieson, who then described the struc-
ture, believed that it had been reached from the shore by a drawbridge,
over a ditch which separated the island from the north side of the loch.
The drought of 1864 brought to light a sort of causeway, leading
from the west end of the island. It was traced for about 100 yards; and
it is supposed that it turned to the shore on one side, the popular belief
being that it formed a way of escape in former times. As, however, it
must have formerly been under a great depth of water, it seems doubtful
for what purpose it may have been designed.
scoTTisn autificial islands or '* orannogs." 13
Two iiilands Id Carliitwark Loch, in Galloway, discovered in 17C5, are
described as having been formed by strong [dies of wood driven into the
moss or marl, on which were placed large frames of black oak, covered
with soil.' On inquiry, I learn that neither of them are now visible, being
covered with mud, end, when the Bee flows into the loch, with water also,
but that they are known to be composed of earth and stones, resting on
oak beams.
The island in the Loch of Kinellan, parish of Contin, Ross-shire, is
said to be formed of logs of oak, on which soil seems to have been
heaped, till it emerged above the surface. It was of a nature to bear
a house of strength, which came to be built upon it.*
Of this island, Mr J. H. Chalmers, advocate, Aberdeen, notes, in a
letter to me,—
" The island has along the south, west, and north sides a rough facing
or embankment of stones abont as large as one strong man could lift.
Inside this bulwark, at a distance of some feet from it, there may still
be traced, more or less completely all round the island, the remains of
an enclosing wall. Along the west side of the island are several wooden
piles of oak driven into the bed of the loch, just outside the stone bul-
wark. The piles seem to have been squared ; and one pile, which pro-
jected almost horizontally from the bulwark, had a hole in the end;
holes also appeared in some of the vertical piles, suggesting the occur-
rence of mortising. Some large masses of rock, lying on the south
side opposite the island, would seem to suggest that there had been a
pier opposite to what was a landing-place on the island."
The isle of the Loch of Banchory, Kincardineshire, was found to be
composed of earth and stones, resting on a foundation of oak and birch
trees, and was surrounded by oak piles.
The following interesting details of this crannog are taken from Mr
Robertson's paper:—
" Before the recent drainage of the Loch of Leys—or the Loch of Ban-
chory, as it was called of old—the loch covered about 140 acres, but, at
some earlier date, had been four or five times as large. It bad one small
island, long known to be artificial, oval in shape, measuring nearly 200
feet in length by about 100 in breadth, elevated about 10 feet above the
' Now Stat. Account, Kirkcndbrightsbire, p. 154. 2 Ibid., Ross-sbire, p. 238.
14 SCOTTISH AltTIFICIAL ISLANOS OR " (?RANNO(!S."
bottom of tlie lorli, an<l distant abrmt lOO yards from the noarest point
of the mainland. What wa<< discovered, as it) the structure of this islet,
will be best given in tlie words of the gentleman, of whose estate it is a
part, Sir James JIitd liurnett, of Uralhes. In a communication which
he made to tliis Society in January and which is printed in the
first part of our Proceedings, he quotes from his diary of the 'J3d July
IHJU, as follows,—'Digging at the Loch of Leys renewed. Took out
two oak trees laid along the bottom of the lake, one five feet in circum-
ference and nine feet lotjg; the other shorter. It is plain that the
foundation of the island has heen of oak and birch trees laid alternately,
and filled up with earth and stones. The bark was quite fresh on the
trees. The island is surrounded by oak piles, which now project (wo or
three feet above ground. They have evidently been driven in to protect
the island from the action of tiie water.'
Isle op the Lf»cn op banchoitt.—Fig. 1 (flcm ral View of Siio).
" So far this exactly answers the description of the Irish crannog, and
the resemblance is completed by the remains which were found below
the surface. These were the bones and antlers of a red deer of great
size, kitchen vessels of bronze, a millstone (taking tbe place of the
quern in the Irish crannogs), a small canoe, and a rude, flat bottomed
boat, about nine feet long, mado, as in Ireland and Switzerland, from one
piece of oak. Some of the bronze vessels were sent to our Museum by
Sir James Burnett, and are now on the table. Here, too, are drawings
of the place, for which I am indebted to the kindness of an accomplished
lady of the neighbourhood. One shows tbe general appearance of the
island as it now is, since the bottom of the lake was turned into corn
SfOTTISII AHTIKiriAL ISLANDS OK " CRANNOfiS."
15
land. TIif» ntlipr gives us a bird's-eye view of tlie surfaee of the cran-
nog, wliich y«>u will see Inid been occupied by a sfrong substantial
building. Tliis lias latterly been known by the natiie of the Castle of
Leys, and tradition, or conjecture, spc-aks of it as a furtalice, from uliich
the Waiicho|ics were dri\en during the Bruces' wars, adding, that it was
the seat of the Biirnets until the middle of the sixteenth rvntiiry, when
they built the present Castle of Crutlius. A grant of King llohert I. to
the auccBtors of the Biirnets includes Incurn du TtdHchtry rum insula
i-jusdrm. The island again ajipears in record in the year lOllI, and in
IsLB OP THE Locn OP BANcnoEY.—Fig. 2 (Surface of Crannog).
1054 and 16C4, under the name of ' The Isle of the Loch of Banchory.'
Banchory itself, I may add, is a place of very ancient note. Here was
the grave of one of the earliest of our Christian missionaries—St Ternan,
archbisliop of the Picts, as he is called in the old Service Books of the
Church, which add that he received baptism from the hands of St
Palladius. Along with St Ternan's Head and St Ternan's Bell, railed
* The Ronnecht,' there was preserved at Banchory, until the Reformation,
a still more precious relic, one of four volumes of the (ro.siiel which had
belonged to him, with its case of metal wrought with silver and gold."
16 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOOS."
The craoDog in Bhu Loch, Isle of Bute, consisted of a surrouoding
wall, formed of double rows of piles, 4^ feet asnnder, the intermediate
spaces having been hlled np with beams of wood, some of which remain.
The island within this external wall was formed of turf and moss covered
with ebingle.
An island in Loch Tummell is formed of stones resting on a founds*
tioD of beams, with a causeway leading to it from the side of the loch.
There is a fragment of a stronghold on it, said to have been erected by
Duncan the First of the Clandonacbaidb, in which it is believed that
King Bobert Bruce and his Queen were sheltered during their wander*
ings.
An island in the west end of Loch Bannoch is believed to be formed
of stones similarly disposed, on which there is a tower, erected in the
present generation. There is a causeway leading to the island from the
Strowan, or south side of the loch, which is said to be fordable in summer.
In Loch Kinder, in tbe parish of New Abbey, there is an artificial
island. It is formed of stones which rest on a frame of large oaks.*
In the Loch of Moy, lnvemess*shire, is an artificial island, formed in
the same way, of stones resting on piles. It is called Ellan-na*Glack,
the Stoney liland.
The small island reoently discovered in tbe Loch of SanquHhr was
formed of beams of wood, supporting a quantity of stones, the whole
being surrounded by piles. The crannog in Loch Canmor, Aberdeen*
shire, was formed by driving oak piles into the bed of the locb, and filling
up the enclosed space with stones, crossed with horizontal beams.
Of the Irish Crannogs, we leam from Mr Mulvany, Commissioner of
Public Works in Ireland, an attentive explorer of these remains, that
the general constructive features are very much alike in all. They are
surrounded by stakes driven generally in a circle, from sixty to eighty
feet in diameter, a considerable length of the stakes projecting over
the ground, and were probably joined together by horizontal branches
interlaced so as to form a screen. The portions of the stakes which
were above ground have been destroyed by time; but the portions
1 Old Stat. Acc., Dnmfriesshire, vol. ii. p. 18d.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS." 17
remaining below ground, particularly wbere the stratum is pure peat,
are generally very sound at the heart, and have become as black as the
oak usually found in bogs. The foundation within the stakes is generally
of one or two layers of round logs, cut into lengths of from four to
six feet, over which are layers of stone, clay, and gravel, lo some
cases, where the foundation is soft, the layers of timber are very deep.
In other cases, where the ground is naturally firm, the platform of
timber is conhned to a portion of the island. In almost every case a
collection of flat stones apjiears near the centre of the enclosure, having
marks of fire on them, and apparently having served as hearths. In
some cases several hearths have been found on one island. Considerable
quantities of bones are generally found upon or around the island, being
apparently those of deer, black cattle, and bogs; and, in almost every
case, one or more pairs of quern stones have been found within the en-
closure.'
A section of one of the craunogs in Loughrea, county of Galway, shows
at the bottom squared oak beams, above which is a layer of branches, and
trunks of oak trees, then large stones, above which are layers of peat
and marl, and above all a surface of loose stones laid in regular order.*
A section of another crannog in Tonymore Lough, county of Cavan,
gives the following arrangement,—beginning at the surface, which was
of clay; then ashes, with small stones and sand ; next bones and ashes,
with lumps of blue and yellow clay; then a quantity of grey ashes; and
lastly horizontal beams and hazel branches resting on the peat bottom.*
Dr Beeves thus describes a crannog in Loughtamand, county of Antrim,
—it was found to ho formed of piles, from seventeen to twenty feet long,
driven into the bed of the lough. They were bound together at the top
by horizontal oak beams, into which they were mortised, and secured in
the mortise by stout wooden pegs. Above the piles, was a surface of
earth of several feet in depth, on which a stono house, which was said
■ to have been a stronghold of the M'Quilluns, was erected. Near the
island a canoe was discovered, and there was also a paved causeway of
stone leading from the margin of the loch to the island*
' PriKccdingfl R. I. A. vij. v., App. p. xliv. 2 lyj. vol. viii. p. 414.
5 Proui-edings R. I. A. vol. viii. p. 277. * Jbi<l. vol. vii. i>p. 155-151.
B
18 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS."
Wbile the construction of the Dowalton Islands differs from thai
adopted in the Irish cranoogs, and in other islands in Scotland, there are
many points of analogy between them. The situation of Dowalton—a
loch amid marshes and embosomed in wood—is that of most of the Irish
structures. The ruth on the adjoining height,—probably one of a larger
number,—affords also an instance of agreement with the Irish plan.
The concurrence of raths and crannogs in the same neighbourhood has
been so often observed in Ireland, that the remains have come to be
associated with each other, and it has been supposed that the islands
were used as places of retreat for the dwellers in the rathe.
In Tonymore Lough, in Cavan, are three crannogs, and the rising
ground on either side is crowned with a rath, while lesser raths are in
the neighbourhood. In Loughrea, county of Golway, are four crannogs,
with twenty-one raths in the neighbourhood.
Clooufree, one of the three lakes containing crannogs near to Strokes-
town, county of Roscommon, is close to the raths which formed the royal
residence of the kings of Connaught; and around Ardakillin, another of
these lakes, are three earthen raths.
It is probable that similar remains will be found in theneigbbourbood
of the Scotch lochs containing stockaded islands, where they have not
been obliterated by cultivation; and that such island retreats are to be
regarded as the centres of a neighbouring population.*
I Since this poasago was written, I bavo aolcctod from Ur Robertson's Notes the
following passages, descriptive of a crannog in Loch Lomond, which show its neigh-
iKiurhood to a stone cashol on the shore, and preserve a tradition which ascribes the
erection of both structures to the same hands;—
Graham of Duchray, writing in 1724, tells that the fonndor of a cyclopeun e<utel
called tho Giant's Castlo, on the north-eastern shore of Loch Lomond, built beside
it an artificitd island. "This Keith Uocludoill," ho says, " notwitlistandiug tbo
great number of natural isles in tho loch, was, it seems, so curious as to found an
artificial island, which is in tho loch at a little distance from the point on which tho
old castle stands, founded on large square joists of oak, firmly mortisod in one an-
other, two of which, of a prodigious size (in each of which there arc three large
mortises] wore disjoiucd from the float in 1714, and mode use of by a gcutloQian in
that country who was then building a house." Tlid account of Ouchanunof Auchmar,
who wrote about the same periixl, is somewhat more circumstantial. " A small isle,"
ho says, " lying ut a little distitnco from the north shore of that loch, near a point of
SOOTTISn ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS." 19
It eeetns obvious that the crannoge both of Ireland and ScotUnil
were, in their idea, rather fastuesses and keeps than places of pcrma-
iient residenceas a general rule they were inaccessible except by nieann
of a boat,^ but a few of them were approached by causeways. TJ n til a few
lund colled Row of CftsLlll, is kuowa to be founded upon o float of timber, quhieh,
in tbo Bummor 1716, was dourly discuvored by one Walker, who, with his boat puss-
IDB this isle, observed one end of a lar^o squaro oak joist bolow the isliind, quhicli,
with uDotliur of thu same sort, Iin found means to got up, both b<-ing of a prodigious
bigness; the manner of joining that largo float being thus: Tlx re wore in tho one
joist three or four largo squnre mortises, and in tbo other anu equal number of
plancks proportional to the mortises, and Joined so firmly together as if all were one
solid picco, upon which this isle was built. . . . Upon the rotr, or point of
land next adjacent to this isle, is tho ruin of an old building callud Custle-na-fean, or
thu Giant's Castle. It is built of a round form, being near sixty paces in circunt-
forenee. . . . The stones arc of a hard blue whin, made mostly quadrangular,
and of that prodigious bigness as clearly orinccs tho strength of the builders, seeing
in pluco of ortx all seems to be performed by main force. Tho inhabitants of this
buihliog eeuni to bo thoso who wcro so needlessly curious as to build tho above-
mentiiined island."—Mr Kobertson's Notes, quoting A'lVnnto's Zfufory of Slirlmtfthire,
pp. 693-696. edit. 1817.
' The fullowing instructive notice extracted by Mr Robertson from the Register of
tho Privy Council, associates crnnnogs with houses of defence and strongholds
" Instructions to Andre bischop of tho YUis, Andro lord Steimrt of Vchiltrie, and
James lord of Bowlie, comptroller, cont^-ining sucho overturis and articles as they sail
propone, to Angus M'Coneill of Dunnyvaig and Hector M'Clayno of Dowurtfor the
obedyenco of thume and thair clanis. 14 Aprilis 1608. .....
That the haill buussis of defence etrongholdis and eranoku in tho Yllfs pcrtcining to
lhame and their foirsaidis sol bo deiyveril to his Maiestic oiid sic as his Ucynes sail
appoint to rcssavo tho same to be vsit at his Majesty's plcasour
That they sail forbeir the vso and woiring of all kynd of umour outwith thair
honssis espccialtie gunia bowis and twn bandit swordis, except onlic anc bandit
Bwordia and targeis."—Rtgitl. Secreti Coiicilii: Acta fxnea Mardiianm el Itieu/arvm
Ordinem. 1608-1C28, pp. 4, 6.
' A.D. 1436. The crannog of Loch Laoghaire was taken by the sons of Brian
O'Neill. On their arrival, they set about cunatructing vessels to laud on the crannog,
in which the somof Brian Ogu then were : on «Lich tho latter came to tbo resolution
of giving up tbo cranung to O'Neill, and madu peace with him. {AnnuU of the Fvvr
ilaileri, vol. IT. p, 907.) Tho solilury island in Lo<'li Earn, ciJlcd Neish's Island, is
said toliavo been sur])rieed, in tho time of •lames V., by the MticitaLa in a simitar way.
Tho NcisLes felt secure in their island from its inacc<ssibilit,v, but their cneniies
20
SCOTTISH AllTIFICIAL ISLANDS OU " CRANNOGS."'
centuries ago, the Irish lakes in which the islands were constructed
were cmLosomed in dense forests. The country was intersected in all
directions, especially in Ulster, by bogs and morasses; so tliat in sonie
cases, as at Kilkoock Loch, in Antrim, the edge of the loch could only
he reached on a causeway through the surrounding bog.
The early notices of crannogs in the Irish Annals are connected
with scenes of strife, when, as is frequently the case, the island of the
weaker party is said to have been burned down and destroyed. The
term applied to tbem in the Ulster Inquisitions of 1605 is " insula forti-
ficata;" and in answer to an inquiry made by the Lords of Queen
Elizabeth's Council in 1567, ns to " what castles or forts O'Neil bath,
and of what strength they be," it was answered " that for castles he
trusteth no point thereunto for bis safety and that fortitication
that he only dependeth upon is in sartin {freshwater loghcs in his
country; ... it is thought that there in ye said fortified islands lyetb
all his plate w''* is much, and money, prisoners and gages; w*** islands
liiith in wars before been attempted, and now of late again by the Lord
Deputy, tlien Sir Harry Sydney, w'** for want of means for safe conduct
upun water it batb not prevailed." (Quoted in Shirley's Account of
tlie Teiritory or Dominion of Farney, p. 93.)
It is recorded of Brian Borumba, under a.d. 1013, "multa propugna-
cilia et insulas firmis munimentis vatlavit,"—Annah of the Four Maeter.^
{fyDonovan's Edit.\ vol. ii. p. 770, note.
It is plain, however, from the extensive remains which have been
found around some of the crannogs, that tboy had been places of residence,
and scenes of busy industry for long periods, and at various times.
The great masses of bones around and upon the large island at
Dowalton, would alone have suggested that they were the remains of
long occupation, or of occasional occupation frequently repeated. They
are, however, not to be compared with the deposits about some of the
Irish Islands, from two of which (in Lougbrea) three hundred tone of
bones have been collected.
There can be little doubt that in such cases, if not in all, wooden huts
oiirriwl a boat from Locli Tay over the hilla, and were Ihas enabled to reach the
inland.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS." 21
liad been erected on the surface of the islands, although none of these
have been preserved in their complete state.
The county of Monaghan, formerly Mac Muhon's country, contained
many crannogs in the small lakes which occur in every district. They are
particularly noticed in the early maps of the county (in the State Taper
OfiBce) as " The Hand," with the addition generally of the name of the
chief who resided in each. At Monaghan, we have " The Hand—Mac
Mahon's house," represented as a mere hut, occupying the whole site of a
small island in one of the lakes adjoining the present town.
The residence of Ever Mac Cooley Mac Mahon, chief of the celebrated
district of Furney, in Mac Mahon's country, in the reigns of Elizabeth
and James 1., was at Lisanisk (close to the town of Carrickmacross),
and is marked in Jobson's map, made in 1501, as The Hand—Ever
Mac Cooley's house." The foundations of this ancient residence were
discovered in the antumn of 1843. Seven feet behiw the present surface
of the earth, in the little island at Lisanisk, and two feet helow the pre-
sent water level of the lake, a double row of jiiles was found sunk in the
mud ; the piles were formed of young trees, from <3 to 12 inches in dia-
meter, with the bark on. The area thus enclosed, from which we may
judge of the size of the bouse, was 60 feet in length, by 42 in hreadtli.'
Some crannogs in the south of the county of Londonderry were be-
sieged in the Irish wars in the time of Charles I. One at Loughin-
sholin was garrisoned by Shane O'Hagan.^ On his refusal to surrender,
the enemy contrived to flood the island. "The garrison kept watch in
(he itland Itviae, and one of tlieir men was killed by a cannon ball while
on watch. However, they refused to surrender the island on any terms.
One man in attempting to swim away had his leg broken. The enemy
at length departed."
'it seems plain that, in this cose, the elevation of the but on the
island, saved the garrison from the eflfect of the flooding.
Two years afterwards, viz., in 1645, we read that the people of
O'Hagan burned the Inis O'Lyon for want of provisions, and followed the
general eastward.
■ Mr SLirk-y in Aicb. Journal, vol. iii. pp. 45, 46.
^ Friar O'MolIan's Irish Journal of tlio Ri'bellion of 1G42, quoted by Di Roevcs.
Frououdiiigtt of Iloyul Iribb AcuJu-iny, vol- vii. pp. 167-8.
22
aCOTTISa ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CUANN0Q8."
It ie not improbable that the cahine in Mac Mahoo'e islande, and
" the island bouse " just referred to, were of the same conetruction as a
curious wooden house discovered in 1833 in Drumkeiin Bog, county of
Donegal, under a depth of 26 feet of bog. On an examination by Cap-
tain Mudge of the Royal Navy, who has given a description of this
bouse, with drawings, in " Archseologia" (vol. xzvi. p. 361), it appeared to
be only one portion of a collection of houses covered by the bog. It
consisted of a square structure, 12 feet wide and 9 feet high, with a flat
roof. The framework was composed of upright posts and horizontal
sleepers, mortised at the angles. These frames contained planks laid
edgewise one upon another, the lower one being fixed in a groove cut in
the thick sleeper at the bottom. The marks of cutting in the mortises
and grooves corresponded with the size and shape of a stone chisel
found on the floor of the house.
The structure was surrounded by a staked enclosure, portions of the
gates of which were discovered. A paved causeway, resting upon a
foundation of hazel bushes and birchwood, led for some distance from
the Louse to a hearthstone, on which a quantity of ashes and charred
wood remained, and near to it several large lo^ of wood half burned,
and also pieces of bog-turf partly burnt. Dr Reeves gpves a notice of a
crannog in Kilknock Lough, county of Antrim, on which a wooden but
was placed, constructed of oak beams. These, however, were removed,
and used as part of the roof of a neighbouring barn, before any correct
description of the structure was recorded.'
One of the timbers from Toneymore has a mortise cut in its centre, 8
inches by 6, and has been supposed by Dr Wilde to have formed a
portion of one of the crannog-houses on the island.*
On one of the four crannogs in Lough Rea, county of Galway, an
upright beam was mortised into a horizontal one. From the upright
beam stakes riiu away as if to form a partition.* Mr Mulvany Las also
reported, that in many cases, pieces of oak framing have been found
with mortises and cheeks cut in them. Some of these appear to have
been portions of an ordinary door frame, but others are portions of a
heavy frame, the use of which does not upi>ear so evident.*
' ProcccJings It. I. A. vol. vii. p. 154. * Ibid. vol. viii. p. I^'JO
= Ibid. vol. viii. p. 419. * Ibid. vol. v. p. xlv.
scottish artincial islands or " crannoos."
23
Some of tlie the niimerous mortised beams and frames of oak rafters
on the island at Dowalton correspond to the descriptions of those wliich
formed the wooden bouse in Brumkeiin Bog; and 1 think it most probubin
that they, as well as the morticed and grooved beams described by Mr
Mulvuny, formed the framework of the huts which bad originally been
placed on the islanda. At Dowalton these frames were numerous and
of varying size, some of them of a length which suggested to Lord Percy
their resemblance to a modern Galloway gate ; and in some of them, as
I have stated, there appeared traces of wattling. Such objects could
hardly have been required in the construction of the body of the islands,
although the position of some of them on the margin led Lord Percy to
the conclusion that they bad been there used as breakwaters. In Irish
crannogs, wooden logs bare frequently been found resting on the layers
of which the under part of the islands were formed, and the mortised
hurdles at Dowalton were found lying as if they might have been used
for such a purpose. But it seems unlikely that objects requiring such
an expenditure of skill and labour would Lave been there used for a
purpose, which was elsewhere accomplished by undressed logs as a door
for any necessary superstructure.
If any of the mortised beams at Dowalton can bo regarded as portions of
wooden buts, their confused condition may have been the result of their
violent overthrow by an agent which threw them to the south-east side.
Such overthrow was occasionally the result of a tempest of wind, as we find
it recorded of an Irish crannog in a.d. 990, " the wind sunk the island of
Loch Oimbe suddenly, with its dreach and rampart, i.e., thirty feet."'
Dr Gregor of Nairn, a fellow of this Society, has recently brought
under our notice a curious wooden house, of which the walls were formed
of oak beams, with a steep-pitched roof of oak rafters, in the Loch of the
Clans, on the estate of Kilravock, in Nairnshire. Its foundation was
surrounded by piles, and covered by a cairn of stones.
Our late colleague, Mr John Mackiulay, to describing a crannog in
the Dhu Loch in Bute, remarks, that at the south-east corner of the
island is an extension of it, formed by small piles and a framework of
' Annals of the Four Masters, vnl. ii. p. 727. At Dowalton tho prcTuiling winUs
nru from tho west, and the trees which have been blown down huvo fulloii to tint
l aslword. Host of tho uiortiscd frames were found on the south-oust sidv.
24 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANN(jGS."
timbers, laid across eacb other in the manuer of a raft. It apjieared to
Mr Maukitilay to have formed the foundation of some wooden erection,
which was destroyed by fire, as the tops of the piles were charred.
The absence of any farther dehnite traces of island huts cannot be
used OS an argument for proving that they were not originally con-
structed, as the natural decay of timber not under the protection of the
water or mud, would be sufficient to account for their disappearance.
At the period when the islands were constructed, the surrounding piles
would have projected some way above tbe surface of the water, thus
forming a palisade which seems in some cases to have been strengthened
by borizoutal beams laid on it, and was probably closed by interlacing
branches or wicker work, as in one of the crannogs in Lough Ilea.
The use of wooden piles for defence was common among the Britons
when they came under the notice of Caesar. The oppidum of Cassievel*
lauDus is described by tbe Buman General as being " Sylvis paludibusque
munitum," aud by Orosius " inter duas paludcs situm, obtentu inBu^)er
sylv-arum munitum." Caesar adds, "oppidum autem Britanni vocaut,
quum sylvas impcdicas vallo alque fossa munierunt, quo, incursiouis
hostium vitandic causa, convenire cousuerunt."'
When Caesar arrived at the Thames, " ripa autem acutis sudibus
pr%:fixis muuita; ejusdemquo generis sub aqua defixae sudes fluminc
tegebautur."* According to Venerable Bede, some of these stakes re-
mained till bis day, when they were about the thickness of a man's thigh,
and being cased with lead, remained 6xed immoveably in tbe bottom of
tbe river.'
It seems probable that our own Kenneth Mac Malcolm, nearly a
thousand years afterwards, took the same means of strengthening tbe
fords of the Forth, as we are told in the Chronicle of tbe Scots, " vallavit
ripas vadorum Forthin."*
Perhaps we may recognise a palisaded crannog in the description by
Boece of a Scottish "munitio," in the time of the Roman conflicts in
this country. In Boece's own words it is called " tumulus quidam iu
^ Monumciita Hist. Brit. pp. asziii, Ixxix.
•'* Hist. Ecc. lib. i. cap. 2.
2 Ibid. p. xxxii.
* Iuqcb' Essay, vol. ii. p. 7btl.
SCOTTISH AIITJFICIAL ISLANDS OR "CKANNOGS." 25
paludoso loco, cquitibus mvto, isilus. Cui, crebris succisis arboribiie, omnes
iutroitus, uno duotaxat escepto, priccluserant." Bellendeo's conception
of the passage is thus expressed, "the Romanis went forwart to assuilye
this munitioun of Scottis with thair horsmen; bot it wes sa circulit on
ilk side within ane mos, that na horsmen micbt invaid thaim; and it
bad iia out passage bot at ane part quhilk was maid be thaim with
flaikis, Bcherettis, and treis."'
Palisades are found in the most ancient forts in Ireland, but there they
are formed of sharp stones. Thus the cyclopean walls of Dun iEngus,
and other forts in the south isles of Arran, county of Galway, are snr-
rounded by a chcvatix de frine of sharp pillars.
The monastic establishments of an early period consisted, like that at
loua described by Adamnan, of a church, with a number of detached
huts for the monks, all within an enclosure, and we are told that the
Walls of these structures were of hurdle work. The early Irish and
Saxon monasteries were on the same plan. Many of the former were
erected witliin the raths which were conceded hy chiefs to the Church,
and St Monenna's establishments in Scotland were placed on the
tops of fortified bills. Wilfrid's monastery at Oundlc was surrounded
" magna smpi spineu;" several of the royal residences of Charlemagne
are described as "circumdatas cum sepe," and the enclosure as "cur-
tem tunimo circumdatam desuperijue spinis munitam cum porta lignea."''
The idea of pallisoded fortifications is unquestionably a primitive oue,
although its use, with some modifications, was thus long continued.
Some of the Irish crannogs are placed, nut on artificial islands, but
oil natural shallows of clay or marl, connected with the shore by piled
causeways, and some of the Scutch structures are of the same character.
Thus the island on which the fort in Lucli Quein, Isle of Bute, is placed,
is described as being of natural formation, and fenced with a wall of
stones instead of palisades. Two rows of piles extend from it to the
shore, on which a causeway hud rested,
lu the Carlinwurk Loch near Kirkcudbright, are both artificial and
natural islands. Oue of the latter, called the Fir Isle, was surrounded
I Dook iv. cap. 3, vol. i. p. 117. ' I'ectz. Munuiuunta UorinuD. vol. i. p. 17U.
2G SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLAKDS OR " CRANNOaS."
by a stone rampart, and was reached from the shore hy a causeway of
stones, secured by strong piles of oak.'
Many of the strengths in the Hebrides, in Sutherland, Caithness, and
the Orkney Islands, are placed on natural shallows, surrounded by water
and approached by causeways; but there, no piling a]>]jearB.
In many of the larger lochs of Ireland, the ciannogs are found in
groups of two, three, and four. We have parallel groups of crannugs in
Dowalton. There were four fortified islands in Garlinwark Loch, of
which two were artificial. There were two in the Loch of the Clans.
Tliere were at least two fortified islands in Loch Canmor, of which one
was artificial; and the same arrangement occurred in the Loch of Forfar.
Single crannogs have been found in the Loch of Banchory, in the Dhu
Loch, and Loch Quein. In the course of 1864 a crannog was discovered
in the Black Loch of Sanquhar. This is now a very small sheet of
water, being about 100 yards in length, by 60 in breadth. The island in
(he centre is a circular structure of piles and stones, measuring from
10 to 15 yards in diameter. A causeway led from the island to the
side of the loch, and a canoe, of about 15 feet in length, was found in
the loch.
The objects found on the Irish islands comprehend specjmen.s of
almost everything found on those at Dowalton, and show the same com-
binatiun of articles of personal ornament with such homely objects us
querns and the like. Querns and hones are of almost universal occur-
rence.
Several pieces of iron slag were found on one of the crannogs in Tonny-
more Loch, In the same crannog were found a variegated enamel head,
■ While these sheets are possiog through the press, an iaterestingdiscovery, made
ia the Loch of Garlinwark, by Mr Samuel Qordun, of Castle Douglas, and a friend,
has been communicated to me by Mr Gordon. While hsbing in the loch in a boat,
at a spot near to the Fir Isle, on the 21st of Juno 186C, thoy discovered in the mud a
large bronze cauldron, of about 2i feot in diameter at the top, formed of euparutu
pieces riveted together, and patched in many places in the same manner. It wus
found to contain numbers of spear and dagger points, axes, hamrocr-hoads, horses'
bits, portions of chain armour (of very small links), and a lot of armourers' tools, all
of iron, with some small objects and fragments of bronze.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR *' CRANNOOS." 27
s Inrge irregutarly-shaped amber bead,' a smaller one of enamel paste,
and a small blue glass bead; several small earthen crucibles, supposed
to be for gold smelting. Amber and blue glass beads were found in the
crsnnog on Lougb-na-GIack, county Monaglian.* At Ardakillan a brass
bowl, hammered out of the solid, was found, and two brass vessels most
curiously rivetted together. A portion of a leather sandal was found in
the wooden house in Drumkelin Bog before referred to. Brooches,
bracelets, and pins of bron2e, were found at Ardakillan, as also buckles,
some of which contained pieces of enamel and Mosaic work. A brazen
pot and three brass bowls were found at Dunsbaughlin; but although
large bronze caldrons are frequently found in Irish bogs, I observe hardly
any mention of the bronze dishes, pots, or "coffee-pot" vessels among
the relics of crannogs, which are so frequently found in those of Scot-
land. An iron axe was found at Dunsbaughlin.
These are analogous to most of the objects at Dowalton, except the
armlets of enamelled glass found there; but besides these, there liave
been found in some of the Irish crannogs iron chains, metallic mir-
rors, circular discs of turned bone, whorls, shears, bone combs, wooden
combs (of yew), toothpicks, and other articles of the toilet, pieces of
stag's horn sawn across, spearheads of iron, a bronze pin of the same
form as those found at Norrieslaw, &c.*
The circular discs of turned bone above referred to arc the table-men
for chess, which, with similar games, was a favourite pursuit of the early
Celtic people.* On the discovery of the crannog in the Loch of Forfar by
drainage, in 1781, about thirty or forty of these table-men, made of round
pieces of horn, were found. One of these, perforated and ornamented, is
ill our Museum* (Plate IV. fig. 5). In the same place, several silver
objects, shaped like ear-rings, were found. There were found at Banchory
' Niaetcen enamelled {^loss beads from DuoshaugUlin are in the IrisU Museum.
* Arch. .Tour. vol. iii. p. 48. ' Arch. Jour, vol, vi. p. 102.
* Among tbo objects found on tbo crannog in CloonfiolougU were born discs like
backgammon men (Proc. R. I. A. vol. v. p. 200}; and in a moss in Ibe parish of I'urton,
in Galloway, at a depth of twelve feet from the surface, was fuund a set of seven
" reel-pins" end a ball, all made of onk, which are now in the Museum of the Auli-
<iuariea. The pins wore found standing just ns tbo players bail left tliem.
* Among tbo subsidiee due by tlie Monarch of Ireland to tliu Chief of Forney
n ere six cbcss-bourds.—JJwk of Ltran, in Shirlei/'* Duvtiuion of Fitmrij, p. 11.
28 SCOTTISH AUTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANN0C8."
bronze vessels sliaped like coffee-pots, and otbers like modern kitclien
pots (Plate IV. figs. 2, 3, 4, 5). A similar bronze coffee-pot was found
at Locb Kanmor (Plato IV. 6g. 6).
It must be remarked, liowevcr, tbat all the Dowalton relics yet dis-
covered must be referred to the occupation of an early period; while the
remains on many of the Irish crannogs afford evidence of a continued
and late occupation. Thus, while on the island at Cloontinlougb
there were found various relics of bronze, horn combs of great artistic
merit, with a canoe, there were discovered besides, a coin of the Em-
peror Hadrian, coins of the English Edwards', and a coin of James II.
The indications of occupation drawn from the occurrence of coins in
any given locality are always liable to doubt, hut are entitled to weight
when they are found in connection with su'-h objects as Mr Shirley dis-
covered at Loch-na-Glack, viz., iron coulters of ploughs, a Jong gun-
barrel of the sort called a calliver, part of the lock of a pistol, an earthen
pot of Dutch manufacture, with the figure of a man's bead below the
spout, used in Ireland during the seventeenth century, and called grey-
beards, with some small Dutch tobacco-pipes.'
Many notices in the Irish annals, some of which 1 have already quoted,
concur, with these vestiges, to show that crannogs were occupied as for-
tilled retreats in the wars of the seventeenth century.'
It has been taken for grunted by some that the crannog in Loch
Cunroor, in Aberdeenshire, was used for a like purpose about tlie same
time. It appears, however, that besides the crannog, or artificial island,
there were other three naturui islands in the loch. The largest is about
an acre in extent, and on U the traditional castle of Malcolm Can-
moru was placed. AVhen I first visited the spot, many years ago, I saw
great rafters of block oak, with the rude murtisings which joined them,
lying on the margin of the loch opposite to this island, which seem to
have formed part of a pier. Wyntown, when describing the buttle of
Eilblcne, which was fought on the neighbouring moor of tbat name,
suys—
' Arch. Jour. vol. iii. p. 48.
2 A.D. 1G03—Hugh Boy O'Dooaell, haviug heon wounded, was sont to Crannog-
na-n-Uuini, in Ross Guill, in the Tuathas, to be hvalud.—AnnttU <■/ the Four Mwileri
vt I'Uter Journal of Arehceology, vol. ii. p. 14*2.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANKOGS." 29
" SchjT Robert Meyhnois til Caiimoro,
Wi-nt, quharo bo wnnnand wes before;
TiiiUdtr be went, and in a pelo
He sawfyt hym and Lis inonyho wcUc."
ForduD, ID describing the skirmish, says that Menzies was received
" in turre sua de Canmore.* This " pcle " occurs in the investitures of
the Huntly estates in tlie sixteenth century as the "mansion of Loch
Cawnmoir," and was obviously a place of occasional residence of the
Earls of Huntly, being probably used as one of those Highland fastnesses
w])ich most of the Scottish nobles of early times found it useful to possess
in the emergencies which were then frequent, such as the demolition of
their more accessible castles in the low countries. In 1497 Lacblan
M'Intosh of Galowye granted bis bond of manrent to the Earl of
Huntly " at Locbtcanmor,"' In 1519 one of the earl's vassals appeared
at " lie Feir de Locbtcanmor" (being the construction of which I saw
the ruined materials), to have presence of the earl, and ask from him
his lands of Eincraigy.' According to Sir Robert Gordon, the army of
the Scottish Parliament took the Isle of Lochcannor, which the Marquis
of Huntly had fortified,* and in June 1C48 the Estates of Parliament
ordained the fortifications of Loch Render to he " slighted."*
" On one of the frequent pilgrimages which James IV. made to the
shrine of St Duthao at Tain, this tower received the wandering monarch
within its walls, and the treasurer's accounts preserve the expense of
' trussing the king's dogs in the boat when be went to Canmore, and
of a payment to the boatmen for carrying them across."*
All these statements, however, refer to the large island on which the
pele was erected, and not to the artificial island in another part of the
loch.
It has, in the same way, been assumed that a castle, also ascribed to
Malcolm Canmore, was erected on the stockaded island in the Loch of
Forfar. But here also there were other two natural islands, besides
the one of artificial construction, and the castle in question stood on
' Vol. ii. p. 321. * UisccUany of the Spniding Club, vol. iv. p. 190.
' Astiq. of Shiros of Aberdeen and Banff, vi>L iv. p. 344.
* Hist, of Family of Sutherland, p. 637. ® Acts of Pari, ?ol, vi. p. 82f>.
* Prococlings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. i. p. 269.
30 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLAKDS OR " CRANNOOS."
one of the former. This was on the north side of what is now the
town of Forfar. Queen Margaret's Inch, as the stockaded island wae
called, was nearly equidistant from both ends, and the third was called
the West Inch. In the end of last century there remained a con-
siderable part of a building of some sort on the Queen's Inch, and a
structure which is described as "an oven," almost entire ; but it was not
the site of the castle of Malcolm Canmore, which is said by Boece to
liave been " castellum valde munitum uti ejus decent ruinas, undique
pene septum immenso lacu, ubi post deletos Pictos, Scotorum reges, loci
capti ama^nitate, sese frequentius continebant (fol. 67).'
Queen Margaret's Inch is described in 1781 as almost of a circular
figure, full of trees, and used as a garden, surrounded with water of
many fathoms.' It became accessible from the north side after the
partial drainage which then took place.
Fur the following historical notices of this " Inch" I am indebted to
Mr Robertson's Notes:—
"By a charter dated at Kinross 18 July a.d. 1234 King Alex. II.
granted to the monks of Cupar decern mercas annuatim ad sustentationem
diiorum monachorum de domo de Cupro qui perpetuo ministrabunt et
divinacelebrabunt in insula nostra infra lacum nostrum de Forfar . , . .
Concessimus item dictis monachis manentibus in dicta insula ad susten-
tationem eorumdem communem pasturam in terra nostra de Tyrbeg ad
sex vaccas et unum equum. Concessimus itaque dictis monachis ut de
terra de Tyrbeg rationabiliter habeant focale ad usus suos proprios et ad
U6U8 eorumdem qui extra insulam predicts auimalia sua conservabunt."'
" On the 24th of July 1508, the abbot and convent of Cupar in Angus,
granted for life to Sir Alexander Tuinbull, chaplain, their chaplaincy of
St Margaret's Inch, in the Loch of Forfar (capellaniam nostre capelle
Insule Sancte Margarete Scotorum Regine iuxta Forfar), taking him
bound to personal residence; to see to the building and repair of the
chapel, and houses, (quod diligens sit et assiduus circa structuram et
reparacionem capelle et edificiorum eiusdem); to suffer no secular lords
1 Monipenuie, in his Description of Scotland in 1612, says, " tho tonne of Forfar,
with an old castle, with a loch and an islo therein with a tour."—MrRcberlton'sNota.
2 Letter from tho Rev. John O^^ilvy, Forfar, 2Cth Juno 1761.
3 Rogist. Monnst. do Cnpro in Angus, MS. at PitDDiure.
SCOTTISB ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CBANH0G8." 31
or iailics, or etrangcrfi of any sort or eex, to make their abode in the island
without leave of the abbot and convent asked and given (nee dominos vol
dominaa temporales, aut alienos cuiuscunque generis vel sexus recipiat,
ibidem permansuros, sine nostra licentiapetitu etoptenta); to make plan-
tatioD of trees within and without, and to make works of stones for the
defence and safety of the loch and its trees, lest the trees he overthrown by
the force and violence of the water (eciam diclus capellanus faciat planta-
clones arborum extra et infra ac construct congeries lapidum pro defen-
clone et tultione laci et arborum eiusdem, no arhores cum impetu et
violencia aque destruentur.)"'
I have remarked that no weapon of stone or bronze has been found at
Dowalton, and Dr Wilde tells us that " they do not find any flint arrows
or stone celts, and but very few bronze weapons, in the Irish crannoges."'
The remains, however, described by Mr Shirley from the crannogs in
MucMahon's country include stone celts of the common type, a rough
piece of flint, apparently intended for an arrow-head, three bronze celts
with loops on the sides, a dagger and chisel of bronze, two bronze
arrow-heads, double-pointed, the boss of a shield of bronze, bronze
knives,* &c.
Dr Wilde is inclined to suggest as the probable date of the Irish
crannogs a period " from the ninth to the sixteenth century."*
This may be called the period of their hUtorical existence, hut if we
are to judge from the character of some of the remains found on them,
and other circumstances, their origin must be assigned to a period much
earlier.
That they continued to be erected, and even by the English con-
querors of Ireland, in times comparatively recent, we may leam from
a notice in the Irish Annals under the year 1223, to the effect that
"William de Lacy came to Ireland, and made the crannog of Inis
Laegachain \ but the Connacians came upon the island by force, and let
out the people who were on it on parole." * This is one instance of
what the Statute of Kilkenny complains of, that many of the English,
' RcgiBt. Assed. Monost. do Cupro. &IS. ^ Proeecdiogs R. I. A. vol. vii. p. 152.
* Arch. Journal, vol. iii. p. 47. * Arcb. Journal, vol. vii. p. 149.
^ Annals of the Four Uastors, vol. iii. p. 208, nor«, quoting Annals of Kilrouan and
Clonmacnoiso.
32 scottish artificial islands or " crannogs."
forsaking the English language, manners, moJes of living, laws and
usages, live and govern themselves according to the fashion, manners,
and language of the Irish enemy.
Mr Kohertson quotes the following passage from Fordun, which shows
the use of an "isle" in Murrayland in a.d. 1211, as a faslnem and
store for goods and treasure
"DominusBex elcctorum quaiuor millia hominum de exercitu misit,
ut ipsum Gothredum [Macwillam] quaererent, ubi oum latere putabant.
Quibus in campi-doctores praefecit quatiior militares, comites videlicet
Atholim et de Buchan, Malcolmum Morigrond, et Thomam de Londy
ostiarium suum: qui pervenientes in quandam insulam, in qua ipse Goth-
redus virtualia congregaverat, et thesauros suos inde asportaverat, cum
Gothredicis congressi sunt; ubi utrinque ceciderunt interfecti multi;
plures lamoD ex parte rebellium: quorum qui remanserunt, ad proximiim
nemus et loca tutiora pro tempore declin^unt. Bominus autem rex,
circa festum S. Michaelis, rediens inde cum manu valida, Malcolmum
comitem de Fyfe Moraviae custodem dereliquit."'
"Qui Gothredus anno praecedenti, . . . venit ex
Fordun, about the same time [1228], records that a Scot, called Gilles-
cop, set Ore to sundry " munitiones ligneas " in Moray, and killed Thomas
of Thirleslane, a robber, by an unexpected night attack on his "muni-
tio."' And if these notices can be held to refer to crannogs, they are
probably the last historical reference to their occupation; although, no
doubt, islands in lakes may have afforded occasional retreats in troubled
districts to such robbers as Thomas of Thirlestane in much more recent
times. But such casual occupation bos nothing in common with the
systematic use of palisaded islands in early times. The use of one lake
island, among the wilds of Strathspey, as a retreat amid the disorders of
the seventeenth century, is preserved in an account of that country,
written about 1680, in which Loch-an-Eilan is described as "useful to
the country in time of troubles or wars, for the people put in their goods
and children here; and it is easily defended, being environed with steep
bills and craigs on each side, except towards the east."
Among other points of coincidence between the Scotch and Irish
* J. do Forilun Scoticlironicon, lib. viii. c. Ixxvi. ^ Ibid.
' Lib. ix. c. xlvii.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOG&" 33
craDDOgs, I may notice a tradition connected with some of tliem, com-
mon to both countries, which seems to have arisen from the submersion
of the island houses by the rising of the waters in the tochs. In Lough
Sea, county of Galway, four crannogs have already been brought to
light, and heaps of regularly placed stones have been observed under
water in the shallow parte of the lake, which may prove to be structures
of the same kind. There is a tradition in the country about tough Eea,
that "a city lies buried under the lake."
In Carlinwark Loch, near Kirkcudbright, are two natural islands—one
near the north, and the other near the south end. Around the latter
was a rampart of stones, and a causeway secured by piles of oak led from
the island on the north-east to the side of tbe loch. Close to the side
of tbe island there was a break in the causeway, in which large beams
of wood remain, and are supposed to have formed part of a drawbridge.
On this island tbe remains of an iron forge are to be seen. The recent
discovery of armour and armourers' tools near this island have been
previously described.
Canoes were found in various pints of tbe loch, as also several very
large heads of slags, a capacious brass pan, and a bronze sword.
The loch was drained for marl in the year 1765, when the two arti-
ficial islands, which had previously been under seven feet of water,
emerged. A tradition has always prevailed in the parish that there was
a town sunk, or "drowned," in the loch.'
The analogies between the Scottish crannogs and tbe Swiss pfahl-
bauten, or pile building, are not many. They bad one common idea in
their construction, in that their builders sought for security in the midst
of waters. But the Swiss structures seem chiefly to have been collec-
tions of villages situated on platforms resting on piles along the shores
of the lakes. These platforms were reached from the-sbore by gangways
formed on piles, and on the platforms were placed the huts of tbe
people.
In the year 1860, twenty-six such village sites had been traced in the
Lake of Neufchatel, twenty-four in that of Geneva, and sixteen in that
of Constance. The number of relics of various kinds found on the situ
* New Stat. Account of Kclton, Kirkcndbrightsliirc, p. 164.
0
34
SCOTTISH AUTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS."
of these ancient villages is immense. Twenty-four thousand were raised
from one locality, that of Concise, in the Luke of Neufcbatel. The objects
differ greatly in character in different villages. In some are varieties
of stone implements, many of them fixed in deer-hom bafts, objects of
bone and horn, a few objects of bronze, an occasional amber bead, rude
pottery; and great quantities of teeth of the bear, boar's tusks, bones of
the deer and wild boar, of sheep and oxen, and more rarely of a small
species of horse, are found.
At the Nidau Steinberg, in the Lake of Bienne, an extensive collection
of bronze relics was found, consisting of swords, spear-heads, sickles,
celts, rings, and armlets, many of them covered with ornamental designs.
In some cases Boman remains liave appeared.
Tlie people were not unacquainted with agriculture, if we may
judge from the occurrence of grains of wheat and barley; and they bad
mat» of hemp or flax. All the facts connected with the pfahlbauten
seem to speak of their quiet, long continued occupation by a race of
liunb-rs, farmers, and fishermen, living in considerable communities. It
must be noticed, that we cannot now speak of them merely as Swiss
erections, as they have been found in Savoy, in the lakes of upper
Italy, in Hanover, and Brandenburg, and, as some have said, in Den-
mark.
The idea of the Scottish and Irish crannogs is more that of occasional
retreat, as the iircngths of a people driven by an enemy from tbeir
ordinary abodes. It would seem, no doubt, from the numerous and
various remains found on some of the Irish crannogs, that this necessity
of retreat was in many parts of the country an abiding one ; and we learn
from Dr Beeves, that four crannogs in the county of Antrim were each
the accompaniment or head-quarters of a little territorial chieftaincy.
*' They were," he says, " the little primitive capitals of the four IriBh
tuogbs or districts, which, being combined in pairs about the beginning
of the seventeenth century, went to form two English half baronies,
exactly preserving their main boundaries."' No evidence of late occupa-
tion of this kind appears in regard of any of our known Scottish examples,
nor can we trace tlieir influence in the arrangements of property and
population, in the way just referred to as occurring in Ireland.
' Proceedings Boyal Irish Acad. vol. vii. p. 166.
SCOTTISH ART!FICIAr< ISLANDS OR " CRANNOOS." 35
But, although in most coses the pfahlbauten were erected on platforms
supported by piles, yet exceptional examples have been found in the
Swiss lokes, of structures which have a good deal more in common with
the crannogs of this country. At Nidau, in the lake of Bicnne, where
the great collection of bronze relics was found, an artificial island has
appeared, encircled by piles, with horizontal planks at the bottom, to
retain the stones of which it is composed in their place. Similar attempts
at stone islands appear at Corcelette, and at Concise, in the Lake of
Neufchatel, and still more perfect attempts at crannog constructions
have been found at Inkwjl Lake, near Soleure, at Nussbaumen, in the
canton of Thurgau, and Wauwyl, near Lucerne. To the construction
of this last class the term of pockwerk, or fascinen-bau, has been applied
by the Swiss antiquaries.
Still, in the main, the use of piles in Switzerland was for the purpose
of sustaining larg^ platforms, on which whole villages were erected;
while, in Scotland and Irelond, the piles were used for protecting the
single solid island within them, and forming a palisade fur defence
round the margin of the island.
To other points of agreement between the Scottish and Irish systems
of fortified islands, 1 may add, that canoes hollowed out of single trees
are generally found near the crannogs of both countries. Besides the
canoes which have been found in connection with crannogs in Scotland,
and which were thus originally designed for use on the waters of
the surrounding lochs, others have been discovered in positions wiiicb
show that they bad been need for sailing on rivers. This will appear
from the following notice of the canoes discovered in Scotland, which I
have prepared for the purpose of comparison, and from which it will be
seen that they vary very much in size, and somewhat in construction.
Of two found in the Lochor Moss, one was 8 feet 8 inches long, by
2 feet in width and 11 inches in depth; the other was 7 feet long.
One found in Loch Doon was 23 feet in length, by 3 feet 9 inches in
greatest breadth. Another measured about 12 feet in length, by 2 feet
9 inches in breadth. The lesser one was square at both ends; the larger
was square at the stern, with a pointed bow. The stern was a plank
fitted into grooves cut in the solid wood, left thicker for receiving them.
c 2
36 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL leLANDS OR " CRANNOGS."
Tlic plank ivoa also fastened by tfco strong pins of wood paseiog through
welUcut square lioles on each side.
One found in 1726, at the mouth of the Carron, under a great depth,
was 36 feet long, by 4 feet in breadth.
Seventeen canoes have been found in the ancient be<] of the Clyde at
Olusgow. Of the first, which was discovered in digging the foundation
of St Enoch's Church, at a depth under the surface of 25 feet, the length
is not noted. It contained n stone celt, which may have been used in its
manufacture. Of the others, one, which was formed of several pieces of
oak, though without ribs, was 18 feet in length. One, now in our Museum,
was found at Springfield, on the south bank of the Clyde, at a depth of
17 feet below the surface. It measures 10 feet 4 inches in length, hy
22 inches in breadth at the stern, and 0 inches in depth. Another,
found on the same side of the river, was feet in length, 3^ feet in
width at the stem, and 2 feet 9^ inches midway, the depth being 30
inches. Here there was an outrigger fastened into boles in the side by
pins; a cross sent at the stern, and another in the centre, resting on
supports of solid wood, left in hollowing out the boat. The stern is a
board inserted in grooves. Another vessel found here had a hole in the
bottom, which was stopped with a plug of cork. Another was 13 feet in
length.
In the Loch of Banchory a rude boat was found, about 9 feet long,
made without nails, except two, now in the possession of Sir James Horn
Burnett. A small canoe was also found.
A canoe, found at Castlemilk, in Lanarkshire, was 10 feet in length,
by 2 feet in breadth. One found in the Moss of Knaven, in Aberdeen*
shire, was 11 feet long, by 4 feel broad. One found in draining the locb
at Oloseburn, in Dumfriesshire, was 11 feet 9 inches in length, by 29
inches in breadth at the stern, the average depth beiug 20 inches. The
stern is a plank let into grooves on the sides of the vessel.
Of the Irish canoes, one at Derryhollagb, in Antrim, was 20 feet 9 inches
long, 4 feet 7 inches broad, and 1 foot 8 inches deep. One at Ardakillin
measured 40 feet in length, by 4 feet across the bow.' One at Druma-
league Lough, county of Leitrim, was 18 feet long, by 22 inches broad,
' Ulster Jour, of Arcliicol. vol. vii. p. 194.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CKANNOGS.'
37
Biiuarc at etvm aod etera. One at CaUore, county of Wexford, meaouved
22 feet in length, 2^ feet across at the middle, and 11 inches in depth.
The stern was formed of a separate piece let into a groove. One of this
size was strengthened by three projecting bands or hllets left in the solid
in hollowing the inside.' One of a lesser class was found in the Bog of
Ardragh, in Monaghan, and is described by Mr Shirley as being 12 feet
long, by 3 feet broad.* It had wooden handles at each end, by which it
could be raised and carried from one loch to another. Mr Shirley de-
scribes another, found in the Lake of MunuUy, as 21 feet in length, 3
feet at its greatest breadth, and 13 inches in height.'
A canoe found in Loch Canmor was 22^ feet long, by 3 feet 2 inches
in breadth at the stern.
Canoes are found in the Swiss lakes, but we have nut many details of
(heir measurement. In the Bieune Lake u laige canoe, hollowed out of
the trunk of a tree, 50 feet in length, by 3 in breadth, has been dis-
covered at the bottom. It is filled with stones, with which it was pro-
bahly freighted, as materials fur one of the stone islands found in this
lake; hut smaller boats of the same construction are more common.*
Of the four paddles in the collection of the Royal Irish Academy, the
largest nicusures 2 feet 7 inches in length, and is 6^ inches broad in the
blade, the thickness being half an inch. The five paddles (or rudders)
found in the Moss of Ruveustune are all of one size, being 3 feet in
length, by 10 inches in breadth in the blade, the thickness being half
an inch.
It may be noted, that while canoes hollowed out of single trees' seem
' Wilde's Cfttaloffuo, pp. 208, 204.
2 <> Dominiuu of Furuuy," where a cut of the canoe is given in the Index.
^ Arch. Jour. vol. iii. p. 40.
* Wyllio in Archalogia, vol. xxxviii. p. 180.
' The mode in wliich ouiiucs arc formed out of sintflo trees at tho present day irt
thus "lescribed by tho lute Captain Sp<'ku " 8tf ihirek 1808.—All being settled, I
set out in a long narrow canoe, hollowed out of the trunk of a single tree. These
vessels are mostly built freni large timbers, growing in the district of Uguhbit, on
the western side of the lake. The savages fell thorn, lop off tin- branches and ends
to tho length rectnired, and then, after covering tho upper surface willi wut iniul, ii-<
the tree lies upon the gruuud, thoy set Ore to and smoulder out its interior, until
38 SCOTTISH ARTinCIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS."
to have beeo in aniversal use in the rivers and loclis by tbe early io-
habitants both of Scotland and Ireland, there was a different kind of boat
also in use by them, which is alone described by the classical writers.
Pliny* says, " Etiam nunc in Britannico oceano vitiles coreo circumsutse
fiunt," and that when the Britons sail to the Isle Mictim [St Michael's
Mount?] it is "vitilibus navigiis corio circumsutis;" when Cssar bad
to build some vessels after the British fashion, it is said, " carinas primum
ac statumina ex levl materia fiebant, reliquum corpus navium viminibus
contextum coriis integebatur."' Solinus also, speaking of tbe rough sea
between Britain and Ireland, says that "navigant autem vimineis alveie
quos circumdant ambitione tergorum tribulorum."^
It appears also from one of tbe miracles of Ninian, related by his
biographer Ailred, that similar vessels were used on tbe shores of Gal-
loway.* One of the scholars of the saint, fleeing from bis discipline,
sought a vessel by which he might sail to Scotland; for, says tbe writer,
there is in use in these parts a vessel formed of wicker like a basket,
large enough to hold three passengers. This, being covered by the skin
of an ox, is rendered impenetrable to tbe water.
The currach, or vessel covered with skins, thus described, is mentioned
by Adamnan as in use in hie day. Another class, to which he applies
the term " naves," is believed by Dr Beeves to refer to the canoes made
of hollowed trees.* The building of a currach is minutely detailed in a
passage in tbe Life of St Brandau, quoted by Dr Reeves: " Fecerunt navi-
culam levissimam, costatam, et columnatum, ex viroioe, sicut mos in illis
purtibus, et cooperuerant earn coriis bovinis ac rubricatis in cortice
roborina, linieruntque foris omnes juncturas navis."
The canoe which so generally accompanies tbe crannog may be beld
to mark a very early period, but tbe currach is said to be still in use on
notliing bat a cava remaina, which thej finish np by paring oQt with roughly-con-
structi'd hatchets. The scats of theso canocs are bars of wood tied traDsveisely to
till' li'ugth.—" Journal of a Cruise on the Tanganyika Lako, Central Africa," Dhek-
lowrf * Magiuint, Sept. 1869 [Mr Robertson's Notes].
' Hist. Nat. in Moiiuin. Hist. Biilan. p. vili. ^ Do Bel). Civil, i. 6d.
3 Mon. Hist. Urilann. p. z.
* Vitu Niiiiaiii, in Piukerton's Vite Autiq. Saiict. cap. x.
® Life ol srColiinihu, p. 170, nou.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANN0G8."
39
tbe Severo and in many parts of tbe coast of Ireluod, especially of tbe
counties of Donegal and Clare. Some years ago 1 saw a curracb wbicli
continued to be used on one of tbe upper readies of tbe Spey till a time
comparatively recent.
From tbe accounts of tbe early inhabitants of Britain preserved to us
by the Roman writers, we may fairly picture to ourselves a settlement of
one of their tribes or clans in tbe neighbourhood of Dowalton, mostly
occupied with the chase, living, when at peace, in tlie wattled huts
within their ratlis on tbe high grounds, and wlien pressed by danger
betaking themselves to their fastnesses in the waters.*
Of British strengths we find various notices in the pages of a writer,
wliose greatness as a general and politician, has, at this long interval,
suggested his Life as a worthy theme for tbe pen of an Emperor of the
French.
Of one of these, €«ear says* that it was a place among the woods,
strongly fortified by nature and art, which as it seemed bad been pre-
pared beforehand for tbe purpose of domestic war, as uU the entrances
were obstructed by numerous felled trees; and be adds, they themselves
rarely fight out of tbe woods. He afterwards speaks of the fortified town
of Cassievellaunus,^ in which a considerable number of men and cattle
were collected, and which appears to have been an extensive enclosure
like those on the hill tops at Yevering and Ingleborough in England,
and tbe Catertbuns in Scotland, in which vestiges of but circles are
found on tbe extensive flat platforms on the top, protected by the sur-
rounding walls, which would also have sheltered great numbers of cattle.
In some cases, as at Noath in Aberdeenshire, there is, besides tbe fort
on tbe top, another surrounding wall, some way down tbe bill. The
space between tbe two walls is of a bright verdure, indicative probably
of its early use for penning cattle, while tbe heather begins outside of
this lower rampart.
To the same effect Strabo writes,Forests are their cities, for having
' Tbey probably bad some (^in to be grouikd iu tho qu<'ms which they have left
bi-liind t1u-m, but tlie mas»'-s of boiiva about the islauds, would hcl-dj to iudivuto that
the flpsh of animals was their malDsluy.
^ De Bello (iullico, lib. 5. c. 'J. ^ Ibid. c. 21.
0 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OU " CRAXNOGS."
enclosed an ample space with felled trees, here they make themselves huts
and lodge their cattle, though not for any long continuance.'"
It would seem that we have here described a space surrounded by a wall
and ditch, and probably stockaded with trees, very much of the character
of the pah of New Zealand of the present day; and it is plain that they
were capable of being well defended, as the pahs proved on the assault of
our own soldiers last year, for on one occasion Cssar's soldiers of the 7tli
legion bad to make a tedudo, and throw up a mound against the outworks
of one of these strengths, before they could take it.*
In the hilly country of the Silures, the stockaded wall and ditch were
superseded by the use of stones. Caractacus fortified himself against
Ostorius on a rocky height with a vallum or agger of stones: "rudes et
informes saxorum compages, in modum valli press*
truit."*
There are many references in the books of the classical writers to the
woods and marshes of the Britons.
Eumenius speaks of the woods and marshes of the Caledonians and
other Picts; and Pliny describes the Caledonian forests (Sylvm Cale*
doni.-e), as "Itomanorum armis terminus."*
Herodian tells us that Severus, on his expedition into Britain, more
especially endeavoured to render the marshy places stable by means of
causeways, that his soldiers, treading with safety, might easily pass them,
and having firm footing, fight to advantage. He adds, that many parts
of the country being flooded by the tides, became marshy, and that the
natives were accustomed to swim and traverse about in these, and being
naked as to the greater part of tbeir bodies, they contemned the mud.*
Xipbiline, when describing the Caledonians, speaks of their ability to
endure every hardship; and adds, that when plunged in the marshes, they
abide there many days with their heads only out of water.*
Tlie situation of the islands on Dowalton, which combined the advan*
tages of surrounding wood and swamps, completely answers to the Bunian
description of a British strength. The loch was in the midst of woods
' Gcogr. lib. iv. ap. Mouum. Hist. Brit. p. vii.
Lib. T. c. 9. ^ Tacitus Ann. lib. xii. c. 38-35.
* Mou. Hist. Brit. pp. Ixix. aad viii.
* Mod. Hist. Brit. p. Ixiv. ® Mou. Hist. Brit. p. Ixi.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OB " CRANNOGS."
41
mostly of Lircb and alder; it had on each end long stretches of swamp,
while on the sides it had rising grounds, which probably were covered
wit!) the lofty ouks out of which the canoes were fashioned.
The district is indeed full of lochs, some of them in groups, and it is
very probable that the site of the mosses in the neighbourhood of Dowal-
ton may also have contained lochs in early days. If so, they no doubt
contained artificial islands also, and this is rendered probable by finding
paddles with portions of beams and querns in the Moss of Bavenstone.i
To the south-west is the White Loch of Mertoun, which, as we know,
contains a stockaded island. In Font's Survey, there is laid down Loch
" liemistoun," a little way to the south, which may be intended for
" Ruvenstone," now in moss. On the west is agroup of small lochs, called
Loch of Aryoullan, Loch Duif, Loch na Brain. North of them is the Loch
of Mochrum, Loch of Shellachglash, Eraga Loch, Loch Dyrhynyen, Loch
Chruochy, Loch Dyrsnag, Loch Dyrskelby, Loch Bibben, and Loch
Machrymoir. Further to the north are larger lochs, called Loch Bonald,
Eerron Loch, Glassoch Lochs, Loch Mackbary, Loch Uchiltry, Loch
Dornel, and Loch Mowan.
It seems probable that similar structures had been placed in these
lochs, or such of them as were suitable for the purpose.
The locality may thus have been the head-quarters of a considerable
population, whose presence probably determined the site of the neigh-
bouring Boman station at Whithorn, in the same way as the position of
the British strengths in Northumberland seems to have fixed the track of
the Boman road called the Devil's Causeway, and other Bomao works on
the opposite side of the valley of the Breamish and the Till.
Islands, constructed of layers of vegetable substances like those in
Dowalton and the neighbouring White Loch of Mertoun, have not as yet
been found elsewhere in Scotland. It will be interesting to watch, in the
light of future discoveries, whether this was a local use, or tHiether it de-
pended on other circumstances, such as the depth of the loch, and the
abundance of vegetable materials in the neighbourhood.
' Since thia woa written, I leant that luurkd of bcachus have been found ou lliu
t'itco of tku rieiug grouudti above thcso moasea, at tliu lUstunco of a niilc from
Dowalton.
42
SCOTTISH AUTIFICIAL ISLANDS Oil " CllANNOOS."
There can be no doubt that both palisaded enclosures, whether in woods
or waters, and strengths formed of ramparts of stone, were resorted to by
the British tribes at (he time of the Roman invasion, sod their use in
other countries can be traced in much earlier times.
A passage (pointed out to me by Professor Sir James Simpson), in a
treatise on "Airs, Waters, and Places," by Hippocrates, who lived up-
wards of 400 years before our era, seems to describe a structure of the
same kind as those in Dowalton Loch. Speaking of the inhabitants of
Phasis, a region of the Black Sea, he says, " Their country is fenny,
warm, humid, and wooded, and the lives of the inhabitants are spent among
the fens; for their dwellings are constructed of wood and reeds, and
are erected amidst the waters." He adds, that " they seldom practise
walking either in the city or the market, but sail about up and down
in canoes, constructed out of single trees, for there are many canals
there."'
Herodotus furnishes a still earlier account of an arlihcial cooBtructioii
among waters, used by a Thracian tribe who dwelt on Prasias, a small
mountain lake of Pcconia, now part of modem Roumelia. But their habi-
tutiuns were more in keeping with the dwellings in the Swiss lakes than
witii the island craunogs of Scotland, inasmuch as their habitations were
constructed on platforms raised above the lake on piles, and were con-
nected with the shore by a narrow causeway of similar formation.
There is a peculiar interest in this small colony of Dowalton, from its
nuighbuurhood to the site of Ptolemy's Roman town of Leucophibia,
wliich probably suggested the site of the Saxon settlement of Whithorn,
and from the circumstauce that at least one object of Roman work-
luaoship—the bronze vessel already described—bus been found among
the relics of the old inhabitants of the islands.*
It is only matter of conjecture how it came there, whether in the course
of commerce, by gift, or by appropriation after the removal of their
Roman neiglibours. It seems, however, not unreasonable to regard the
i " Aira, Watc-ns, and PIucl-s," in the genuine works of Hippocrates, by Adams,
vol. i. p. 209.
- TJio r< niaius of a Kotnan camp arc suid to bo placed about half a-mile to tlio
uc«t of tlic town of Wbilbum, and Roman roini! are nut iiufri'c|uuiilly found in the
grounds u<lji>iDiug tbo niiued priory.—A'w S(ul. Acc. Wifflorit/iire, p. 56.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOQS."
43
occurreoce of a Roman vessel at Dowalton, associated as it is with relics
wbicL are elsewhere found in early sepulchral cairns and British hut
circles, as pointing to a period of occupation of the islands not later, and
probably earlier, than that of the Roman settlement at Whithorn.
It seems jilain, from the new bottom and the numerous mendings of one
of the rude bronze dishes, that such objects were not easily procurable.
The Roman dish was doubtless much regarded, and bears no marks of
use. Two vessels of the same description were found, in connection with
an encircled earthen barrow, at Gallowdat, in Rutherglen. They were
both white on the inside (probably from tinning), and on the broad
handles of each was engraved the name of " Conqai.i.us," or " Comvai.-
LOB." In the mound, a flat stone, perforated with two holes, was found,
and heside it three beads, one of which exactly resembles the bead of
vitreous paste found at Dowalton.' The native appreciation of Roman
articles may also be inferred from the occurrence, in an " Eird house," or
weem, at Pitcur," of portions of vessels of embossed Samian ware.
The absence of all relics of a necessarily later period, makes it probable
that the occupation of Dowalton was not continued, either from the sub-
mersion of the islands, or from some other change of circumstances.
Among events which may have conduced to such a change was the
settlement in the neighbouring Roman town,towards the end of the fourth
century, of the illustrious Ninian, from whose lips the dwellers amid
the woods and marshes of Dowalton would bear of a new and better hope
than had yet animated them, by which they may have been led to more
settled habits of life. However this may be, it is certain that Ninian
erected at Whithorn a church of stone, after the Roman fashion, and that
it remained two centuries afterwards, in the time of Bede, who tells us
that the place took its name of " ad Candidam Casam" from this stone
church. Here also, it would seem, Ninian erected a monastery, after the
custom of the time, where he gathered a religious community to assist
him in his missionary work, and in the education of the youths, who, as
we learn from his biographer Ailred, were committed to his charge hy
parents of high and low degree. We gather from another jiart of Ailred's
> Uro's Kilbride and Ituth.-rgloii, p. 124.
^ I'tuc. Soc. Aut. Scot. vol. V. p. B2.
44 SCOTTISH ARTIKICIAL ISLANDS OR " CBANNOOS."
»urk, that Niiiiun had a iluck of cattle, which were pastured oo grouuJ at
some distance from his monastery.
We do not. know how lung the church aod monastery of Ninian lasted,
but when Galloway came under the sway of tlie Saxons of Northumbriu,
a bishop's see was set up at Whithorn, and Pecthelm was the first who
sat ill its chair. That this prelate was a man of some note we may learn
from a letter addressed to him by Boniface, the great apostle of Germany,
in which he asks for Peothelm's advice on one of the ecclesiastical
points which were then agitating the Christian world. The celebrated
Alcuin, the friend of Charlemague, in the beginning of the following
century, addressed one of his letters to the brethren at Whithorn.
Amid the many vicissitudes to which the See of Ninian was exposed,
aud while the material fabric erected by the masons whom he brought
from Tours hud given way to more than one successor on its site, tlie
sanctity of the founder's name seemed only to gather strength as time
went on. Pilgrimages continued to be made to bis tomb down to the
period of the Reformation by persons of all ranks, from the monarch to
the peasant; and in a letter from James Y. to Pope Innocent X., be
says that the tomb of Ninian was still to be seen at Whithorn, and that
it was visited yearly by flocks of devotees from England, Ireland, the
Isles, and adjoining countries. For the bodily comfort of these pilgrims,
James IV., by a charter to Sir Alexander U'Culloch, which is now in the
charter-chest at Monreith, erected Mertoun into u burgh of barony, " pro
nsiamento et bospitacione ligeurum nostrorum, extraneorumi^ue, versus
Sanctum Ninianum iu Candida Casa, aliasque adjacentes partes pere-
grinaciouis et alias uegociundi causa pruficiscentium et revertenciuoi."
We can hardly fancy that the community of Dowalton remained un-
influenced by tbe neighbourhood of Roman civilisation, or that they
gathered no settled habits under Roman rule, while their early know-
ledge of the Christian religion must have conduced to their progress in
every way.
The traditions of tbe Scottish Church associate with Ninian the name
of St Medan, who, comiug from Ireland to avoid the addresses of a lover,
first settled at tbe Rintis of Galloway, where hor chajiel in the rocks
may yet ho seen ; aud her persecutor liaving followed her to that place,
blie is hcliuved, on the same authority, to have sailed across the Buy of
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOOS."
45
Luco on a stono, and effected another BcttlemeDt on the sea-shore in a
recess of " The Heuj^bs," where the ruins of a church, dedicated under
her name, still remain. This was the church of the parish of Kirk-
maiden, which was co-extensive with the barony of Monreith, and
reached to the Loch of Lowalton.
Much has been done in Ireland by Dr Wilde, Br Beeves, Mr Mulvany,
and others, to illustrate the history of the crannogs of that country. It
is not much more than twenty-five years since they first attracted the
notice of Dr Wilde, who described the crannog near Bunshaughlin in
the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy for April 1840. Our know-
ledge of the Swiss pile buildings djites from 18.53-4:, when the subsidence
of the lakes, through long-continued drought, revealed the piles, and led
to many subsequent discoveries of the greatest interest.
It was only in tlie light of these that the incidental notices of artificial
islands in our own Proceedings and elsewhere came to have a meaning;
and the paper read to this Society by Mr Robertson, in December 1858,
for the first time discussed the question in a systematic way, and claimed
for our Scottish forefathers a place among the island builders of Europe.
I cannot doubt that these islands were numerous, and that many of
the lochs in which they were situated were, like that at Thornhill, of
very small dimensions. The gradual drainage of such sheets of water
generally leaves their site as a morass, which after a time is brought
under tillage. And whore no outlook is kept in such a process, the
remains of piles are destroyed, without any suspicion that they formed
part of an ancient structure, and consequently without any opportunity
of investigation being afforded. Tbe occurrence of canoes in situations
where little of the old loch remains to attest its former existence beyond
a bog, as at Knaven, in Aberdeenshire, and at Barnkirk, near Newton
Stewart; or where, without a canoe, great quantities of bronze vessels
and horns of deer have been found,—as in a morass at Balgone, in East
Lothian,—all suggest tbe sites of early piled habitations.
Several canoes have been found in Loch Boon, under circumstances
which give reason to hope that crannogs will yet be found there. Some
years prior to 1832, two canoes were discovered close to the rock on which
Boon Gnstle stands. Soon afterwards, a great drought caused the fall of
46
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOOS."
the loch to an unusually low level, when near the same spot, parts of
canoes and other large pieces of timber became visible under the water.
It was found a difBcult task to extricate the canoes from the debris of
large stones, sand, and mud with which they were surrounded. The work-
men believed that there were many more canoes lying below and across
those which they raised, but although their feet rested on these when at
work, yet from the great depth of the water by which they were covered,
and which reached to their necks, they did not see the objects which
they supposed to be canoes. It seems much more probable that these
and the large pieces of timber already referred to, are portions of a ruined
crannog.
Somewhat to the south of this spot is another small island, which is
laid down in Blaeu's Atlas as " Prisoner's Stone," and in the Ordnance
survey as " Piekman Isles."
The artificial island in Loch Canmor, in Aberdeenshire, was known as
" The Prison" in the end of last century.'
Before the end of last century several canoes had been discovered in
LocLwinnoch, and many hove been found since that time.' One person
says he saw twenty-one buried in the mud between the isle on which the
pele stood, and the north side of the loch. It is much more likely, how-
ever, that what he saw was the timbers of a ruined crannog.'
The following facts, for which I am indebted to the Rev. Dr Duns,
of the New College, Edinburgh, enable me to preserve the memory of a
stockaded island in the loch at Lochcot, in the parish of Torphichen:—
The loch lies at the foot of the southern slope of Bowden Hill, and is
now drained. An old man who belonged to Dr Duns' congregation,
when be was at Torpbicben, more than once described to him the appear-
aiice of the loch before it was drained—"its central island, and the big
logs taken from it and burned." Uoms were also found iu the loch,
but were neglected, and Lave disappeared. Dr Duns found part of a
quern on an examination of the site; and on digging into a mound
at a short distance eastward from the loch, be found an um of rude
type. To the south are the remains of a circular earthwork; to the
' Letter from Mr C. Innes of Balnacraig to Mr G. Chalmers, 7th August 1798.
2 Old Stat. Account, vol. xv. p. 97. ' Now Slat. Account, Uonfrew, p. 97.
SCOTTISH AETIFICIAL ISLANDS OK " CRANNOQS." 47
Bouth-west, traces of what bos been called a Koman camp; and to the
south, a camp of peculiar form, noticed by Sihbald.
Id the middle of Locbrutton is a small island of circular form. It is
said to be formed of stones on the surface, and to be founded on a frame
of oak.* In Loch Urr is an island approached by a stone causeway, both
of which are now submerged, probably by the growth of moss at the
spot through which the river finds its way from the loch. Mr Robertson
notes that at Lochore, in Fifeshire, great quantities of oak timber were
dug up since the loch was drained. They are believed to have formed
part of a causeway connecting the Castle Island with the mainland.
In the Castle Loch of Lochmaben, on the eouth'West side, is a small
artificial island, where there are stakes of oak still remaining on either
side of it, which have been put in as a fence against the water.*
Of an artificial island in Loch Lochy, Mr Robertson gathered some
particulars from " Ane Dc-scriptione of certaine Pairts of the Highlands
of Scotland,"—a MS. in the Advocates' Library, written towards the end
of the seventeenth century. " Ther was of ancient," says the author,
" ane lord in Loquhaber, called my Lord Cumming, being a cnicll and
tyirrant superior to the inhabitants and ancient tenants of that couutrie
of Loquhaber. This lord builded ane Hand or an house on the south-east
headofLogbloghae; . . . and when summer is, certain yeares ordayes,
one of the bigge timber jests, the quantitie of an ell thereof will be sein
above the water. And sundrie men of the countrie were wont to goe and
ee tliat Jest of timber which stands therp as yett; and they say that a
man's finger will cast it too and fro in the water, hut fortie men cannot
pull it up, because it lyeth in another jest below the water." Here,
obviously, we have an allusion to the mortising of one beam into another,
after the fashion so common in the Irish crannogs, as well as the Scottish
examples at Dowalton, Loch Canmor, and Loch Lomond.
In the midst of a morass, about half a mile north-east from the farm
of Nisbet, in the parish of Culter, in Lanarkshire, is a mound, of an oval
sha|)e, called the Green Kiiowe, which measures about 30 yards by 40,
and rises about two or three feet above the level of the surrounding
* Now Stat. Account; Kirkcudbrightshiro, p. 287.
s ArcLicologia Scotica, vol. hi. p. 77, note c; also " Lochmaben Five Hundred
Years ago," pp. 72, 73. E<lin. 18Gb.
48 SCOTTTsH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS."
bog. On penetrating into this elevated mass, it waa found to consist of
stones of all different kinds and sizes, wbicb seem to have been tumbled
promiscuously together without the least attempt at arrangement.
Driven quite through this superincumbent mass, are a great number of
piles, sharpened at the point, about three feet long, made of oak of the
hardest kind, retaining the marks of the hatchet, and still wonderfully
fresh. A causeway of large stones connected the mound with the firm
ground. All around it, is nothing but soft elastic moss, and beneath it
too, for on cutting through the bed of stones you immediately meet with
moss. Near the spot are the remains of some very large trees.
The mound has long been used as a quarry, and is in the gradual
course of demolition.' Mr Sim of Cutter Mains, who first directed atten-
tioD to this structure, states that the valley in which the Green Eoowo
is placed was probably well wooded in early days. In a morass at
the base of Tinto Hill, a perfect forest of magnificent oak trees has
been recently discovered in the course of drainage operations—some of
them of great size. Mr Sim recently found an oak under the ground at
Cutter Mains, a branch of which was four feet in diameter. The stem
was not removed. He also states that the old name of the moss, in
which the "Green Knowe" is placed, was the " Cranney Moss," wbicb
may probably preserve a recollection of its early name of " Crannog."
In this neighbourhood were found two gold omaments of crescent
shape (one of which was presented to the National Museum by Mr Sim);
and other relics of early times, such as stone celts, are of frequent occur-
rence.
It is probable that the sites of crannogs may be traced through similar
names in other parts of Scotland. Thus we have Crannach Cog or
Crannabog, part of the barony of Camousie; Cranna and Crannabog,
part of the estate of Rotbie; Cranbog and Locblands, part of the barony
of Belbelvie,—all in the county of Aberdeen, A meadow in the parish of
Eilmamock is called Cransyke. Cranberry Moss is in the parish of Eil-
winning, and Cranberry in the parish of Auchinleck.
Tbat a crannog bad originally been placed in the Loch of Dudding-
stoii seemed %'ery probable, from the discovery of many bronze weapons,
> N(<w Stut. Account, vol. vi. p. 846.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS." 49
A ring handle of a caldron, masses of melted bronze, along with
gigantic deer's horns, which were dredged up from the bed of the locli,
about 150 yards from the side next the Queen's Park, in a search for marl
in 1778; and the following facts, which have just been brouglit under
my notice, seem to add considerably to the probability:—Dr Thomas
Thomson of Leamington, son of the Bev. John Thomson, minister of
the parish of Duddingston, in answer to my inquiries, thus writes
" I have a distinct recollection of the piles or stakes in Duddingston
Loch to which you refer; but I am sorry to say I do not so well recollect
their exact or relative position, or how many there were. My impression,
however, is, that there was at one time a considerable number, and that
almost all of them had disappeared when I left Scotland, upwards of
thirty-five years ago. They were all of a dark blackish colour, looking
as if they had been charred, about from 6 to 8 inches in diameter, and
some of them standing above the surface as much as two feet, while
there were others only just above it, and a few quite below the surface,
rendering it necessary to be careful when rowing in that part of the
loch which they occupied. They were firmly fixed in the bottom of Iho
loch, and were used occasionally when sketching or fishing to fasten the
boat to them. They were all, 1 think, on the south side of the Inch,
and occupying somewhere about the middle third of its length, or per-
haps a little higher up to the west end. For the most part, they were
at irregular distances from each other, although in one or two instances
there were two close together, and there were several not very far from
the reeds."
The drainage operations, which are so general throughout ScotIaD<l,
cannot fail to bring to light more of these island structures ; and I must
express an earnest hope that opportunities will lie afforded for their care-
ful investigation, and that lists of them may be furnished to the Society.
As yet we are very ignorant of the details and varieties of their con-
structioD ; and every well-authenticated examination is a valuable contri-
bution to the history of structures, which mark a special point in the
progress of the early inhabitants of the country.
It may help to such a result, if the knowledge which we already pos-
scss of these ancient remains was more generally diffused, so that the
discovery in a new locality, of any of the features found in connection
D
60 SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OB " CRANNOG-S."
with sQch ialands elsewbere, may lead to ao expectation of their occur-
reuce, and to increased care in the search for them.
It was the appearance of the Roman bronze dish at Dowalton, which
first suggested to Sir William Maxwell that other remains of early times
might be at hand. This led Lord Percy to visit the loch, where his
lordship detected the appearance of piles in varions places, and made a
partial examination of most of the islands. Sir William subsequently
bestowed long and patient care in overseeing the excavations of the
islands, and the collection of the relics; and believing that such objects
are only of real use in a public museum such as ours, where they can
be classified and compared with like remains, he has transferred to us
the whole collection, with the intention of adding to it from time to time,
06 fresh discoveries are made.
If such an example should be generally followed, we may be enabled
ere long to give shape and body to a class of our antiquities, of which as
yet our knowledge is hazy and uncertain.
For the following account of a structure in a moss in the parish of
Applegarth, which in some respects has an analogy with the crannogs, but
as a whole is unique, I am indebted to my friend, Dr Arthur Mitchell
Curious Structure in a Peat Moss at Corncockle, tn Appleyarth, discovered
by Sir William Jardine, Bart.
" La.st summer—that is, in 1863—while ' casting peata' at Corncockle,
in Applegarth, from a bank of the average height of 12 to 14 feet, the
labourers came upon a large number of oak trees, lying parallel and quite
close to each other-—forming, in short, a platform, with 6 or 7 feet of peat
below, and as many above. The size of this platform is as yet undetermined,
but, from the portion uncovered, it is from 20 to 30 feet wide, while the
ends of the trees can be followed in the face of the bank for at least 150
feet. The platform is covered with twigs of birch, and then over these
there is a layer of the common bracken, which at present grows with
extraordinary luxuriance in the neighbourhood. This layer of birch
twigs and bracken is about 10 inches thick, and appears uniformly to
cover the platform, except at one point, where flattish whinstones are
laid on as a sort of pavement over the trees—the space so covered being
SCOTTISH AETIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS."
51
an irregular circle 6 or 7 feet in diameter. On this spot fragments of
burnt wood were very numerous, aud beside it were found seven large
bowls or cups cut out of oak, and a rude oak mallet, with a branch as a
handle. The bowls were 10 to 12 inches in outside diameter.
" The ends of all the logs indicate cutting. I know nothing but iron
whicb could have done it. Cleaner cuts I never saw. Some of the cut
facu even showed the ragged line which would have been produced by a
turned point on the edge of the tooL
" Moreover, two of the logs have mortise-holes cut in them. These
were 2 or 3 inches square, and were empty.
" The oak logs are not of great size—the largest having a diameter of
14 inches. All the branches were cut off. They are all soft and spongy,
and quite rotten. They do not show the antiseptic power of the peat,
and are not black. From these facts, 1 suppose we may infer that they
had been long felled, and •partially imtnened in water, before they toere
covered by the peat.
" From all 1 saw, I conclude that this erection has been one of these
three things:—
" (1.) A corduroy road across a morass.
" There are, however, many things against this theory, as, for instance,
the existence of the paved spot (a fire-place in all probability); the breadth
of the platform; the mortising in the lugs; and the want of any appa-
rent need for crossing the morass in this way, as a slight detour would
have formed a road on terra frma.
" (2.) A large raft or floating island, on whicb dwellings were erected
—a modification of the Lacustrine habitations.
This would involve the idea of there having been a lake at one time
at the place where the platform is found, and also of this lake's having
had a bottom of peat—a thing we know to be true of other lakes in the
district. When the water was drawn off, the raft on this supposition
would settle down on the peat. So far as the topography goes, it appears
probable tbat at at one time there was a lake here. The moss is situated
in a basin about a mile across, with an outlet in the shape of a small
stream, presently delivering a considerable quantity of water into the
Annan, not far from Speddling's Tower. Dam this rivulet up, and a lake
could be again formed where the platform is.
D 2
52 scornsu abtifc'ici&l islands or " cbannogs."
" Against this theory, however, there is this important uhjectiun—the
logs are not in any way bound together, and do not rest on sleepers.
" (3.) A platform erected on the bog, on which to build habitations,
with a trench round the platform filled with water—a sort of moat—for
defence.
" Against this there is, as in the last case, the want of binding together,
and also the absence of piles to give firmness to the structure."'
1 have received a communication from Sir William Jardine, in answer
to some inquiries suggested by Dr Mitchell's paper. He states that no
indication of driven piles have been found. As to the nature of the
surface on which the beams were originally placed, be remarks that it
may have been less compact than at present, but the beams of wood,
with brushwood and fern above, must have been placed on a somewhat
solid substructure at first.
From this we may infer that the moss was formed before the beams
were laid; and it appears in like manner, that the crannog in the parish
of Culter rested on a surface of mo8S.>
' A)>ril 9, 1864. From Dr MitcUcU'e Journal.
2 Having;, whon ongagcd in the preparation of this papor, communicatc'I to Dr
Ki'llor, of Zurich, my impruasions of the differenco in character between the cian-
nogs of Scotland and Ireland and the pile buildings of Switzerland, I have, sliice
it was written, received an answer from that gentleman, from which 1 venture to
quote Slime passages; and I need scarcely remark, that the experience of Dr Keller,
in investigating the pfahlbauten of Switzerland, added to bis well-earned reputation
ae a sound archsoologist and historian, give a special value to his statements.
" I am quite of opinion that the crannogs were different from our pfahlbauten,
and that they merely served as places of refuge for single chieftains, their family,
and property; whereas our pfahlbauten formed complete villages, inhabited for cen-
turies by groups of families, which pursued their agricultural ond other labours on
the shore. In their lake dwellings, they fabricated their house ntousils (pottery,
&c.) and their warlike implements, their wearing apparel, Ac, We therefore find
riMi of huts, each furnished with its hearth, weaving-loom, Ac. When such villages
were burnt, they were invariably reconstructed on the same site, which proves that
these places were permanently inhabited. The crannogs appear to be strongholds,
castles, belonging to individaalt.
" As regards the construction of the pfahlbauten, there existed two kinds. In
one of them the huts wore erected on platforms, supported by perpendicular piles;
in the other, the foundation was composed of horizontal layers of branches, inter-
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOQS." 63
APPENDIX. No. I.
The foIlowiDg deecriptioD of Loch Csoinor, in Aherdeenshire, with i(R
islands, and the relics discovered in it, was prepared by the Bev. James
Wattle, fiellastraid, at the suggestion of Mr Bobertson, who intended to
use it in iiis paper on crannogs. Mr Wattie has been so good as permit
me also to make use of it; and as it furnishes a detailed and picturesque
account of an early island settlemeut, with its " surroundings," I have
quoted from it at some length :—
" It is uniformly pronounced by the country people Loch Ceannor.
" It lies at the foot of the bill of Culbleen, in the parish of Tullich. It
is 86 miles from Aberdeen, and half-way between Aboyne and Ballater,
being 6 miles from each.
" The loch is about 3 miles in circumference. It abounds with pike
and eels. It is fed by the burn of the Vat. The level of the lake was
reduced a little about 26 years ago, by deepening the outlet. A second
deepening, in the autumn of 1858, reduced the bed of the loch from 2^ to
3 feet below its original level.
" Until this last deepening, there were four islands in the loch :—1. A
smalt island near the shore, at the north-west corner, called the Crow
Island, covered with birches. 2. One at the east end, also uear the
shore, covered with birches and firs, called the Bramble Island. Both
these islands have now ceased to be islands, having been joined to the
mixed with leaves and gravel, which were held together by npright piles. This
system bears some resemblance to the crannogs, the huts standing on Urra jirraa, if
I may use this expresaion, and not [on piles] above the snrfaceof the water.
" The pfuhlbauten were always isolated, bnt connected by a bridge with the
shore, the distance being sometimes very smalt, but also frequently [oxtoDding] to
a thousand feet.
" We never find pfaldbauten on natural inlands or promontories.
" Artidcial islands are not found, but eo-caU<'d Stein bergo, atone hills, which con-
sist of artificial elevations composed of gravel, which has bvon transported in boats
from the shore to places where huts were to bo erected. This was done for the double
purpose of creating a solid foundation for the piles, and also in order to shorten the
distance from the bottom, to the surface of the water."
54
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OB " CRANNOGS."
mainland by tbe lost drainage of the loch. 3. The Castle Island; and,
4. The Prison Island.
" Tbe Castle Island is about 60 or 70 yards from the north shore. It
is of an ova) shape, having an area of about a Scotch acre. The founda-
tions of the castle may be traced in the dry, parched colour and stunted
growth of the grass where the walls stood. There is a rickle of loose
stones around tbe shore of tbe island, many of them showing evident
traces of the hammer. Some suppose this island to have been artihcia),
but there is not the slightest appearance of its having been so. It is
evidently a natural heap of detritui.
" Between it and the shore there was a bridge of open frame-work of
black oak. The country people say it was a draw-bridge, but it was too
long for that, although without doubt part of it was so. Tbe two piers
on which the ends of tbe bridge rested are still to be seen—one on tbe
island, close to a large ash tree; tbe other on the mainland, directly oppo-
site. From time to time immense beams of oak have been fished up
from this part of the loch, which evidently formed part of the bridge.
So late as I6th June 1859, an oak beam was fished up, 23 feet 9 inches
long, 16^ inches broad, and 13 inches deep, sloped or skaired at the
ends for joining to other beams, with holes for wooden pins 14 or 15
inches apart, and some of the pins still remain. On the same day
another oak plank was taken up about the same place, 22| feet long, 3
inches thick at the thickest side, and 2 inches at the other, and 16 inches
broad. In some places it was brought to an edge, and at one place
marked as if it had been fastened to a beam. It seeems to have been
split, and not sawn. At 8 inches from one of the ends is a hole, of
an oval shape, 4^ inches by 31 inches. At several places it looked as if
it bad been charred by fire on the edge. A third oak beam is to be seen
lying at the bottom of tbe loch, between tbe island and the shore, appa-
rently about 30 feet in length, with two short pieces attached to it. A
fourth oak ]>lank stands up near tbe island, at an angle of 45°, and 3 feet
above the surface of the water.
" Another oak beam is to be seen at M'Pherson, the turner's, near the
west end of the loch, where it was taken up some years ago. It is 24
feet long, 13 inches square, and notched, eloped, or skaired at one end,
with a view seemingly to its being joined to another beam. At M'Pherson's
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOOS." 55
also is to be Been a bronze vesBel, 10} incbee bigb, witb three legs and a
handle, found on the beach of the Castle Island. (See Plate Xlll. fig. 6.)
" The present depth of the loch, between the Castle Island and the
north shore, is from 5 to 7 feet.
" On the north shore, rather to the east of the Castle Island, aru the
remains of what has been considered the Castle chai>el, 52 feet long, and
18 feet wide within walls. There seem to have been two partitions in it,
one near each end.
" On the top of a brae, called the Claggan, not far from the chapel, and
opposite to the island, stood a sculptured stone, now removed to the park
at Aboyne. Between the site of the stone and the loch, on the slope of
the brae, is a low cairn of stones, of a crescent form, with the convex side
up the brae, 70 feet long, and 24 feet wide at the broadest part.
" The Prison Island is about the middle of the loch, and about 250 yards
from its north shore. It is something of an oval shape. It is 25 yards
long, and 21 yards broad. It is evidently artificial, and seems to have
been formed by oak piles driven into the loch, the space withiu the
piling being filled up with stones, and crossed with horizontal beams or
pieces of wood, to keep all secure. The piles seem to have been driven
or ranged in a rectangular form. They are quite distinct and apart from
one another. The upright ones are generally round, though some of
them have been splitted. The horizontal beams are mostly arms of trees,
from 4 to 6 inches thick ; hut there is one horizontal beam squared evi-
dently with an iron tool, about 8 inches on the side. There are not many
horizontal beams now to be seen. I remember having seen more (the
ends of trees) a good many years ago. My recollection of them is, that
they had been splitted. There seems to have been upright piles on all
sides of the island, but least distinct at the east end, and most numerous
at the west. At the west end thirty upright piles ore visible. On the
south side, outside the regular row of piles, is a kind of out-fencing of
upright and horizontal beams, seemingly for protection against the force
of the water. At the west end there are two rectangular corners, and
there may have been the same at the east end, tliuugh now overgrown
with grass. Outside the piles is what may be called a rough, loose cause-
waying of stones sloping outwards into the water ; while inside is what
may he called a heap of stones, arising, no doubt, from the putting into
56
«COTriSH AETiriCL&L ISLANDS OR " CEANNOGS."
tlie water of whatever huildiDg had been on it. At the west eod the
piles stand 18 inches above the present level of the stones, and from 12
to 15 inches apart. They are 4 incbes thick at the top, and 6 inches
thick where they had been under water. Scarcely any of the upright
piles are perpendicular; they slope to the north on the west side of the
island, and to the west on the south side. Round the heap of stones
now forming this island, a clump of trees has sprung up. There is no
appearance of a pier or jetty about the island, nor any mark of communi-
cation between it and the shore or any of the other islands. The pre-
sent depth of the loch near the island is 7 feet; half-way between it and
the Castle Island, 10 feet. On the north-west side of the island, Dr
Taylor and Mr Wattle fished up, in 1850, a crooked oak spar, 12 feet
long, broad at one end like the tail of a fish, and pointed at the other,
rather triangular in shape, 4 inches on the broad side, and 2 inches on
the other.*
" About the middle of the loch, the depth of the water to the mud is
about 8 feet, but no bard bottom was found with a pole of 10 feet. On
the south side of the loch, near the shore, the depth is 4^ feet.
" On the south side of the loch is a peninsula jutting into it, rather
larger in extent than the Castle Island. It bears evident marks of
having been fortified. It bad been separated from the land by a fosse
which had communicated at each end with the water of the loch, but
which is uow dry. Over this fosse had been a drawbridge, the site of
which is distinctly visible; and the road to and from it was only taken
up by the present tenant of Meikle Einord. On the side of the penin-
sula next the land, are very distinct remains of a rampart, 100 paces
in length, ending in an apex or angle at the site of the drawbridge.
" There are, on the top, the foundations of two small buildings; but
they do not seem of any antiquity. The ground is in the natural state,
high on the land side, but sloping away to a level at the side next the
< " I have been wondcriDg of lato whether the opright piles on the artificial
island, being in a rectangular form at the west end, and probably also at the east
end, would indicate the building on the island to have been of that form, and of the
extent marked by the outline of tho piles, which might have been placed in their
present position as a sure foundation for the walls "—Letter from Mr tt'aJlie to Mr
Roberteon, 8d Sept. 1859.
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR "CRANNOOS." 57
vator, wliich is fringed with birches. The other part is bare of wood,
and is covered partly with heather and partly with rough grass, with a
few scattered bushes here and there of juniper. It has been called
Gardybien by the inhabitants from time immemorial. There is no tradU
tion in the country of its use or object. The inhabitants point out what
they call the site of a chapel, and the marks of graves, on the brae
above the loch, and immediately in front of the farm-house of Meikle
Einord. This may have betonged to the fortification.
" Between the farm-bouse of Meikle Einord and the loch, and near
the latter, Mr Wattie found a lump of a stone of coarse granite, hoi-
lowed in a cylindrical form to the depth of inches, 20 inches wide
inside the rim, 4 to 5 inches thick at the top, but thicker at the
bottom. It has a hole at the centre of the bottom, 3^ inches wide at
the tup, and inch wide at the bottom. One of the sides has been
broken away by a fire lighted in it by boys. The use is unknown.
Between Gardybien and the Castle Island, the depth to the mud in one
place was 8 feet, and in another 8^ feet; but in neither was the hard
bottom reached with a 10 feet pole,
" M'Pherson, the turner, who came to the place twenty-six years ago,
remembers a range of oak piles driven into the margin of the loch at
the west end, where the ground is swampy, with oak boards fastened
upon them, all of which have now disappeared.
" On the 16th June 1859, there was fished up from the bottom of the
loch, near the north shore, op{>08ite to the Prison Island, a canoe hul-
lowed out of a single oak tree, 22^ feet long, 3 feet 2 inches wide over
the top at the stern, 2 feet 10 inches in the middle, and 2 feet 9 inches
at G feet from the bow, which ended nearly in a point. The edges are
thin and sharp, the depth irregular—in one place 5 inches, the greatest
9 inches. There are no seats nor rollocks or places for oars; hut there
may have been seals along the sides, secured by pins through boles still
in the bottom. There are two rents in the bottom, alongside of each
other, about 18 feet long each; to remedy these, five bars across had
been mortised into the bottom outside, from 22 to 27 inches long and 3
inches broad, except at the ends, where they were a kind of dovetailed,
and 4 inches broad. One of these bars still remains, and is of very neat
workmanship, and neatly mortised in. The other bars are lost, hut
their places are quite distinct. They had been fastened with pins, for
58
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS."
wLich there are five pairs of holes through the bottom of the caooe, at
the opposite side, at a distance of from 18 to 21 inches, the bultom
being flattish. There are also five pairs of larger holes through the
bottom, and also at the opposite sides, which may have been for fasten*
ing seats with pins along the sides of the canoe. There are two bars
mortised longitudinally into the bottom of the boat, outside, above the
seats before spoken of, 2^ inches broad, one at the stem 5 feet long, and
the other beginning 5 feet from the stern, and extending 7^ feet
towards the bow. The canoe looks as it had been partly scooped out
with fire. The bottom is 2 feet 8 inches wide at the stern, and 28
inches wide at the middle. The stern is 18 inches thick, and somewhat
worn down at the top.
" M'Pberson, the turner, says that twenty years ago a boat was taken
up from the loch 26 feet long, sharp at both ends, otherwise coble built,
8 feet broad in the bottom, which was fiat, made of oak planks over-
lapping one another, and lined under the overlapping with wool and tar.
" On the north side of the old road from Cromar to Tullich, in the
hill of Culbleen, is a round hillock called ' the Earl of Marr's Board,'
where the Earl of Mar, unattended, on his way to Kildrummie from
Lochaber, where he bad lost an army, sat and, for want of better fare,
ate meal and water out of the heel of his shoe. Hence the Gaelic
saying still current in the Highlands,—' Hunger is the best sauce.
Meal and water, out of the heel of my shoe, is the sweetest food 1 ever
tasted, said the Earl of Mar.'
" About 1^ mile from Loch Canmor, in a north-west direction, is the
churchyard of Logic, where is a stone called Wallack's Stone, in memory
of St Wallack. It is flat on one side, and high in the middle of the
other. It is of the blue beatben kind, 5 feet 7 inches bigb, and averag-
ing 3 feet in breadth. It is quite in the natural state. It stood
formerly in the dyke round tbe burying-ground. It now stands outside
the new churchyard wall. Formerly a fair, called St Wallack's Fair,
was held in the neighbourhood, on the 30tb of January. Hence the
rhyme still repeated in the country—
* Wallack Fair in Logie Mar,
The thirtieth day of Januar.'
At this fair a foot race was run; the original prize, given by the pro-
prietor of Logie, being a ' twelve ell tartan plaid, and a pair of tartan
SCOTTISH ARTiriCIAL ISLANDS OB " CRANN0G8."
59
hoee.' When the Highland dress was proscribed, a one-pound note
was substituted. Now fair and race are gone; but a social meeting of
the people of the neighbourhood is still held on the night of the thirtieth
of January."
APPENDIX. No. II.
I am indebted to Sir Alexander Campbell of Barcaldine for the fol-
lowing memorandum:—
"I wish I could help you about the crannogs, but I can say little on
the subject. It is now nine or ten years since I resided in the High-
lands, and when I was there, my attention was not directed to tho
subject.
" I could not have lived there, however, without becoming aware that,
ill many, if not in most. Highland lochs, artificial cairns of stones exist,
generally quite close to the shore in shallow water. If I directed the
attention of the inhabitants to them, they did not seem generally to
have any idea of them; but once or twice, I was told that some man of
mark had been drowned there. In the majority of instances the depth
of water precluded the possibility of this. The smallness of size gene-
rally, however, makes it improbable that they could have been in-
habited. I know, however, of one Scotch example to the contrary. It
occurs in Loch TuIIah, in the Braes of Glenurchay. It is a large cairn
of stones, evidently artificial, in deep water near the centre of the loch-i-
where it is perhaps nearly half a-mile broad—about half or three-
quarters of a mile from the south-western end of the loch, and a quarter
to half a mile from the forest bouse of Glenurchay. If I remember
aright, the water all round it is many feet deep—15 or 20 feet. It is
20 or 30 feet in diameter at the ordinary height of the water. Some
soil was taken to it, and some trees planted on it twenty or thirty years
since, and I think a few more trees were added fourteen or fifteen years
since. I think that, on the east face, or north-east face, there was a
small harbour in which a boat could enter. The stones are small, say
tbe size of a man's bead, more or less—I mean, not great blocks of
stone. Many years since, when tbe water one summer was very low,
Peter Bobertson, the head forester, informed me that be bad seen, on a
60 SCOTTISH ABTIPICIAL ISLAHDS OR « CBANNCK5R."
calm EUiDmer day, a few feet below tbe aurface of the water, the ends of
logs of wood laid horizontally under the stones. 1 am not satisfied that
I ever saw them myself, but 1 have no doubt that he did, as he clearly
described it to roe. Tbe tradition of the country is, that a great robber
chief, called i^a/Hor rioch, lived upon this island. 1 do not believe that
it is or ever could have been piled at such a depth of water; and if I am
correct as to the depth of water, tbe quantity of stones roust be very great,
as the slope is very gradual. It is about 4 or 5 feet high at ordinary
water. All this is from recollection, so 1 am afraid my figures would by no
means stand the test of measurement, and may be very far from the fact.
" The Isle of Loch Tay is probably to some extent artificial; certainly
the stones on its outside faces are artificially placed, though, of course,
this may have been done after the building of the nunnery, to protect
the foundations. There is, however, a small islet near tbe shore In the
Bay of Kenmore, on the south-eastern shore of Locb Tay, within 100
yards of tbe head of the locb, and about 20 or 30 yards from the shore,
in water a few feet deep—I am afraid to say how many—but in clear
weather you can see the bottom, I think. I never was on it; but it
bears the appearance of baring been artificial, and is formed of stones.
It is quite fiat on the top, and does not rise more than a foot or two
above the ordinary water-mark, and has a stunted tree or two on it. It
is, perhaps, 40 or 50 feet long in the direction of tbe loch, but not nearly
50 broad. It is called tbe ' Isle of Spry.' There is also, if I remom-
ber rightly, one of the island cairns on the north shore of Loch Tay,
within 3 or 4 miles of the western end. 1 cannot at this moment name
the locality of others in other lochs, but I have seen many."
Tbe Rev. Alexander R. Irvine, of Blair-Athole, in communicating to
me details of tbe crannog on Locb Tummel, remarks that an island near
the west end of Loch Rannoch is formed of stones, and has a tower
erected on it, with a causeway leading from the Strowan or south side of
the locb. He adds-~" I have observed in other lochs in Perthshire
islands and remains of buildings; for example, Locb Freucbie, in Glen-
queacb, and Loch Einnard, in tbe hill above Grandtully. It is curious
enough that there is also a small island, a mere cairn, near the east end
of Loch Tummel, and of some of tbe other locbs mentioned, though,
from the small extent of dry surface, it is hard to suppose wliat could
have been the purpose for which they were put up."
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR •' CRANNOGS."
61
APPENDIX. No. III.
i>i(es whfre vestiget of filing liave hten found, or other indicatuma of
Crannogs.
Loch Ore, Fifeshire—>Oak timbers.
Balgone, Bust Lothian—Bronze vessels, deer's horns, bones of unimals.
Bariikirk, near NewtoU'Stewart—A canoe.
Knaven or Kinaven, Aberdeenshire—A canoe.
Closeburn, Dumfriesshire—A canoe; bronze tripod.
Lochwinnocb, Renfrewshire—Canoes.
Loch Doon, Ayrshire—Canoes.
Castlemilk, Lanarkshire—Canoe.
Drumduan, Almyne, Aberdeenshire—Canoe.
Buikie, Forfarshire—Bones of deer; bronze vessels.
(Jrannogs—'Iilande arlifieially formed on vmd, or sum-ouwlcd with jrilva.
Dowalton, Wigtonshire.
White Loch of Mertoun, ditto.
Lochnitton, Kirdkcubriglitshire.
Carlinwark Loch, ditto.
Loch Kinder, ditto.
Locbmaben, Dumfriesshire.
Corncockle, parish of Applegarth, ditto.
Locb of Sanquhar, ditto.
Greenknowe, parish of Culter, Lanarkshire.
Dhu Locb, Buteshire.
Barein, parish of Colvend, Kirkcudbright.
Loch of Muy, Inverness-sbiro.
Loch-an-Eilan, or Lake of Rotbiemurcus, Morayshire.
Loch Lomond, Dumbartonshire.
Loch Lochy, Inverness-shire.
Queen Margaret's Inch, Loch of Forfar, Forfarshire.
Loch Canmor, Aberdeenshire.
Loch Tummel,' Perthshire.
I Uu 15lli March 16Zb-9, Juhu Eurl of Atiiolc had Hisiu " torraruio du Lochtym
62
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OK " CRANNOGS."
Lochcot, Linlitligowsbire.
Loch Tullah, in Glenurcbay, Pertbsbiie.
Locb of tbe Oaos, Horaysbire.
Artificial Islands of Stones and Earth.
Loch Tay, with causeway, Perthshire.
Locb Tay, ditto.
Locb Earn (Neisb's lelandX Fertbsbire. (Old Stat. Acc. xi. 180;
AndersoD's Guide to tbe Highlands, pp. 428, 429. Lond. 1834.)
Locb Kannocb; stoue island with causeway, Perthshire. [Isle of tbe
Locb of IlanDocb,aDd fortification thereof, pertaining heritably to James
Menzies of that ilk.* (Begist. Secret, Concil. Acta, 15G3-1567, p. 24.)
Mr Robertson's Notes.]
Locb Acbray, Perthshire.
Fasnacloicb, in Appin, Argylesbire.
Locb Borra, Sutberlandsbire. Artificially constructed of stones, sur-
rounded by a wall of stones. (Old Stat. Acc. vol. x. p. 303.)
Duffus, Morayshire.
Locb Freucbie, in Glenqueocb, Perthshire.
Locb Kinnard, in tbe bill above Grandtully, ditto.
Natural Islands which have been fortified.
Locb Fergus, Kirkcudbright.
Carlinwark Locb, Kirkcudbright.
Locb Urr, with causeway of stone, ditto.
Moulin—Castle on island, with causeway. (Old Stat. Acct. vol. v.
pp. 69, 70.)
Miicnab's burying-ground in the Docbart, near Killin, has a strong
earthen ratb in tbe middle, and tbe burying-ground, called M'Nsb's, at
the end.
Loch of Cleikimin, a freshwater locb, near Lerwick—'A causeway to
shore. [Mr Robertson's Notes.]
tD<-te cum insula et domo ejnsdcm terrarum de Kirktounc Strowane Duncupnta le
Claucliane."—Lib. Keepousiouum in Scaccario, 1627-16S9. MS. Oeu. Reg. House.
[Mi Robertson's Notes.)
' Tlie Islo of Loch Rannoch is tbe subject of a stanza in Duucau Laideus'
Testament, Black Book of Brcadalbaoc. [Ibid.]
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOGS."
63
Inis-nA-Cardocb, called Eilean Mhurich, now called Dorry Island,
a Binall island in Locb Ness, a fortress of Lovat's about 1467. [Local
Tradition; Mr Robertson's Notes.]
Locb of Cluny, Pertbsbire. Enlarged and fortified by an artificial
barrier of stones.
Other Islands.
Ocbiltree, with the locb and isle of tbe samyne. (Act Dom. Gone,
et Sess. Tol. xt. fol. 60.) [Mr Robertson's Notes.]
Locb Finlagan Isle, witb causeway, Argyllshire.
Loch Shin, Sutberlandsbire.
Locb Dolay, ditto.
Locb Yetbolm, witb causeway, Roxburgbsbire.
Locb of Rescobie, Forfarshire.
Assye.—Carta Regis David II. de terris de quatuor davatis terre de
Assynete una cum forcelata insule eiusdem. (Robertson's Pari. Rec.
p. 89.) [Mr Robertson's Notes.]
Stratbnaver, Islay, Colonsay, Tiree, South Uist, Benbecula, North
Uist—Many fresh-water lakes in these localities, witb islands, on which
are forts.
Moral), in Stratberne, Pertbsbire.
" Terras meas de Port cum insula earundem vulgariter vocata Morall."
(Charter dated 8th Nov. 1580, by Wm. Drummond of Meggour to Patrick
Lord Drummond Reg. Mug. Sig. xxxv. 474.) [Mr Robertson's Notes.]
Locb Tay.—In a memorial presented to King Edward I. in 1306, by
Malise, Earl of Strathern, is this passage
" Le Cunte d'Athoile s encoureca et dist a eon Roy (Sire Robert de
Brus) pur derumpir eon conduit et assigner certaine gentz ceo est neavoir
Sire Niel Cambel et Sire Water de Logan a garder le Cunte quo il ne sc
alaist et envoia sa gente d'Atboil entre Abberledene et )e yie de Ken-
mor issy que le Cunte ne puet entrer en I yle, eux tute voies destruiant
et proiant le pais."
It appears that tbe Earl of Strathern bad his abode in an island.
" Et quant il fut prest et munte de venir a la vile de Saint Jnhan a
Monsire Aymcr donques vient Sire Robert de Bnis asieger 1 yle ou le
Cunte estoit et fist proier et destruier le i«aig," &c. (Sir F. Palgrave's
Documents on Scot. Hist. pp. 320-321.) [Mr Robertson's Note.«.]
64
SCOTTISH ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS OR " CRANNOOS."
Loch Granecli, in Strowan Athol, PerthsLiro.—Mr Roberteon notes,
" CD tbe 25tb August 1451, King James II. grants to Robert Buncaue-
Eone ofStrowane, tbe lands of Strowane, the lands of Bomacb, Gleoeracb,
the two Bohaspikis, ' terras de Granecb cum lacu et insula lacus ejusdcm,'
Carrie, Innyrcadoure, Famay, Disert, Faske), Kylkere, Balnegarde, Balne-
fert, Gleugary, with the forest in the Earldom of Athol and Sheriffdom of
Perth, erected into tbe Barony of Strowane,' pro capcione nequissimi pro->
ditoris quondam Ruberti le Grabame,' " Ac. (Reg. Mag. sig. iv. p. 227.)
Locbindorb.—The castle Btauds on an island of the size of about an
acre. " Great rafts or planks of oak, by tbe beating of the waters against
the old walls, occasionally make their appearance, which confirms an
opinion entertained of this place, that it had been a national business,
originally built upon an artificial island. Tradition says, and some
credit is due to the report, that tbe particular account of this building
was lost in the days of King Edward I. of England." (Old Stat. Acc.
vol. viii. p. 259.)
Loch of Moy.—An island near the middle, consisting of about 2 acres
of ground, on which tbe Lairds of Mackintosh had a strength.
" At the distance of some hundred yards from this there is an artificial
island, formed by heaping a parcel of long, round stones upon each other.
This place was used as a prison, and is called £llan-na-Glack, ihe Stoney
Island." (Old Stat. Acc. vol. viii. p. 505.)
Port-an-Eilean, the harbour of the island.—" In an island of Loch-
vcnnachar, opposite to this farm, there has been a castle, a place of
strength. Port is evidently the same word with partus, and has the same
signification." (Old Stat. Acc. of Callander, vol. xi. p. 614.)
In a very small island of Lochard are still to be seen the ruins of a
castle, supposed to have been built by Duke of Albany, uncle to James I.
(Old Stat. Acc. vol. x. p. 130.)
Blairgowrie.—In tbe middle of one of the many lochs in this parish is
a small island, with remains of old buildings on it. (Old Stat. Acc. vol.
xvii. p. 195.)
INDEX.
Armleta of enamelled glau foond at
Don-alton, 8, 12.
Balgone, Eaat Lotliian, Bronze veasola
and deer's horns found at. 61.
Baikie, Forfarshire, Bronze Tcssola and
doers' Iwnes found at, 61.
Banchory, ],ocb of. Island in, 18;
bronze vessels found in, 14.
Burnett, Sir James, his account of islo
of Loch of Banchory, 14.
Bamkirk, near Newton-Stewart, Canoe
found at, 61.
Bonus and objects found in islands, 6-8 ;
the site near Roman town of Leuco-
])hilia, 42; and the Saxon Settlement
Whithorn, 42.
Biirruin, Loch of, Crannog in, 68.
British strengths, Early accounts of,
89; marshes and woods, use of, 40;
as at DowaKon, 41.
Bmuze dish witJt inscription, found at
Dowalton, described, 10; similar
dishes in barrows, 43.
Campbell, Sir Alex., Notices by, of
islands in lochs. 69.
Canoes, Scotch, Details of, 86,30; Irish,
87; Swiss, 88.
Cnnmore Loch, Islands natural and
artificial in, 28; a pile on one of
them, 29; description of, by Mr
Wattie, 63.
Caroctacus, Stone fort erected by. 40.
Carlinwark Loch, Islands in, 13, 83;
objects found on, 26.
Castle-Milk, Lanarkshire, Canoes found
in. 61.
Clo.neburu, Dumfries-shire, A canoc
and bronze vessel found in Loch of,
61.
Corucocklo Moss in Applcgarth, Pih d
structure in, 60.
Crannog, A, in a moss, 47, 60.
Crannogs Scottish, List of, 61; sup-
posed situs of, 61.
, Scotch, noticed in ancient n •
cords. 19. 4
—, Sottish, or artificial formed
islands, Geueral plan of cuustructiiui
of, 12; different from that at Dowal-
ton. 12. 41; sometimes a natural
shallow, 25; single and in groups.
26.
, Irish, CooatructioD of, 16; oL-
jects found on, 26; occupied as
strengths till late times, 28.
Curriigbs, or boats of wicker, covorcd
with hides, Early use of, in Scotland
and in Ireland, 38.
Dhu Loch, Buteshire, Island in, 10;
extension of, 23.
Doon Loch, Ayrshire, Canoes found in.
61.
Druindoan, Aberdeenshire, Cnnoe found
at. 61.
Duddingslon Loch, probable site of a
crannog, 48; bronze objects found
in, 49.
Dowalton Locb, Sizo and situation of,
2; outline sketch of Plate XI.,
islands in, 2-7.
Forfar, Loch of, Islands in, 12 ; natural
and artificial, 29,
Olaas bead with core of metal, II.
66
INDEX.
Greenkaowe Hoss, Cranaog in, 61.
Hammers, Iron, in Crannogs, 8.
HuU, Wo«^en,on Irishcranuoge,21, 22;
supposed traces of, at Dowalton, 28.
Irish crannogs, Construction of, 16,
17 ; analogies between them and
Scotch examples, 18; probtdilo date
of, 31; at times erected by the £ng«
lisb, 31.
islands in lochs, Notices of, by Sir
Alex. Campbell, Bart., 69.
- I. formed of stones and earth, List
of, 62.
—, Natural, which have been forti-
fied. List of, 62-68.
Kinder tioch. Island in, 16.
Kinellan Loch, Island in, 18.
Lochmtton, Crannogs in, 47.
Locbmaben, Crannog in, 47.
Lomond Loch, Crannog in, 18; adjoin-
ing Cashel, U>.
Locbindorb, Artificial island at, 64.
Jy>ch Cot, Crannog in, 62.
Uertoun. White Loch of, Stockaded
island in, 10.
Moy Loch, Island in, 16.
Marshes, probable sites of crannogs, 48.
Ninian, St, Church of, at Whithorn, 43,
44.
Ore Loch, Fifeahite, Piles found in, 61.
Paddles, Irish, 87 ; Scotch, ib.
Paddles found in the Moss of Raven-
■ton, 9.
Palisades of stones in Irish forts, 26-
Piles, wooden, Early nse of, for defence.
24.
Pfahlbauten, Swiss, compared' with
Scotch crannogs, 88, 84 ; Dr Keller
on, 62.
Queen Margaret's Inch at Forfar, 12:
notices of, 80.
Rath, Circular, near Dowalton, 10.
Rannocb Loch, Island in, 16.
Rarenslon Moss probablo site of a eran-
nog, 10.
Samian ware in a Pict's bouse, 43.
Sanquhar Loch, Island in, 16.
Shoo of etampod leather, 8.
Stone fort erected by Caractacus, 40.
Tummel Loch, Island in, 16, 62.
TuUah Loch, in Glenurcbey, Crannog
in, 62.
Urr Loch, Crannog in, 47.
Wattie, Rev. James, Description of
islands in Loch Canmorc, 63.
Wooden forts in Murray noticed by
Fordun, 82.
Wooden house in Drumkelin Bog,
Donegal, described, 22; in Loch of
the Clans, Nairnshire, 23.
Wooden bouses in fens, used by tbe
people of Phasis, 42.
rsiststi BT aeiu akv coiu-a!<t. anixBoson.
ARTlFK'lAii ISIjANOS or CRANNO-(iS }N BOWAljTOK l,OCK, WIO'KlNSn ■
r«rB Supposxl
"•■«2
. 3 Se'Uos d Islet
with Ir^ncli tutciil
J . 1] I'h'/Mli ii'L .t C/J.'dl', r'Dl .\l MII'H 'lYlCI . y
ARTHI.ES FdUND IN JidflALTdN LfuH.
1,3, >T DranX' Viurlii, utd a Roman TatvIliL 4. (iloui UcaJ, vltli Ui'lul C»n'. 8. rnrtlon nf Omamcntnl Leather Shop
(Hc'lchf. II Inches ) (Height, !»Inches >
Foun'I In the I^ich ol Ihiiichnry.
PnKfding» Hofift'j of AniiquaTU$ of Scotland.
Kouni in the Loch o( Itanchory.
\liiIiI,FS KH'Nri IN CIlASNd'tN IN hnm,AND.
lubh-innn (Ij and lironro Vessels (i-fi).
Antiquarian .Notices
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND
J. Y. SIMPSON.
Extracted from the Transaethns of the Epidemiological Society of London
for 1862, vol. i., part ii.
INSCRIBED
TO
THE MOST LEARNED PHYSICIAN OF MODERN TIMES,
JAMES COPLAND, ESQ., M.D.
F. R.S., F.R.C. P., &c.. &c., &c.
AUTHOR OF THE DICTIONARY OF PRACTICAL
MEDICINE.
Antiquarian Notices
OF
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
E DIC A L men arc, for the most part, agreed part i.
IIKmIi "P®'' po'Rts in relation to the history of
Ah m/ syphilis ; viz., that it is a species of disease
iBEtSEI, which was urtknown to the Greek, Roman, and
Arabian physicians; and that it first began to prevail in
Europe in the later years of the fifteenth century.
The non-existence of syphilis in ancient times, and A new
the circumstance of its original appearance in Europe
about the date alluded to, are opinions strongly borne
out by two sets of facts. For, first, no definite account
of this marked and extraordinary species of disease is to
be found in the writings of any one of the ancient Greek
or Roman physicians, historians, or poets; and, secondly,
of the numerous authors whose works exist in the learned
collections of Luisinus,' Astruc,* and Girtanner,^ and who
' AphrodUiacus, sive, Collectio Auctonim dc Lue Venerea, ^'enct, 1566,
67; and Lugd. Qntav., 173&
' De Morbib Venereis. Paris, 174O.
* Abhandlung iibcr die Veiicribchen Krankheitcn. Gottingen, 1788.
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART L
Data.
Whence it
came.
saw and described the malady in the later years of the
fifteenth or commencement of the sixteenth century,
almost all comment upon it as (to use their own general
expressions) morbus novus, morbus ignoitis, <sgritudo in-
audita, (Bgritudo nova, malum novum, novus et nostro
orbe incognitus morbus, etc. etc.*
It would not, however, affect our present object were
we to consider the disease, as it appeared about the period
in question, not to have been a new malady previously
totally unknown, but merely, as some have thought, an
aggravated form of a disease formerly existing in so mild
a form as not to have attracted general observation.
Nor need I stop here to inquire into the much more
difficult questions of the probable source of syphilis,
and the exact date at which syphilis hrst burst forth in
Europe. In relation to the object which I have at present
in view, it matters not whether the malady sprung up
spontaneously and endemically in Spain, Italy, or France,
at the era in question; or was imported from Africa, as
Griiner,' Infessura,^ and others allege; or from Hispaniola,
as Astruc,* Girtanner,® Weatherhead,® and various other
authorities, have stoutly and not unsuccessfully maintained.
Nor is it necessary for me to discuss whether it first
shewed itself in 1493, as Sanchez' and Hensler' consider
that they have proved; or in 1492, as Fulgosi' asserts;
* See also a collection by Griincr of the o|)inions of many authors, who
wrote in the end of the fifteenth or beginning of the sixteenth century, as to the
disease being new and unknown,—in his " Morborum Antiquitales," p. 69,
seq.
* Aphrodisiacus, sive de Luc Venerea. Jena, 1789.
* Vide Gruner's Aphrodisiacus, p. 38. * Dc Morbis Venereis, 174*^
* Ueber die Veneriscben Krankheiten, 1788.
* The History, etc., of the Venereal Disease. London, 1841.
' Sur I'Originc de la Maladie Veneiienne. Paris,
* Geschichte der Lustscuche. Altona, 1783-
* Gruner's Aphrodisiacus, p. 115.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
3
or as early even as the month of October 1483, as Peter
Pinctor,' in 1500, demonstrated astrologically, to his own
complete satisfaction at least, that it ought to have done,
inasmuch as that was—as he sagaciously convinced him-
self—the precise and exact date of the conjunction of
Venus with Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury; and the con-
junction of these or other stars in the heavens above, was
—so he and many of the astrological physicians of his
day believed—the undoubted origin of this new scourge
on the earth below.
In such a notice as the present, we may most safely,
I believe, and that too without entertaining the question
of the exact source or geographical origin of syphilis, start
from the general proposition that the disease was in 1494
and 1495 hrst distinctly recognised in Italy, during the
invasion of that country by the victorious army of Charles
VIII. of France. The malady is usually allowed to have
first broken out in a very marked degree at Naples, about
the time that Charles took possession of that city, in the
spring of 1495 ; or nearly two years after Columbus'
return from his first voyage to Hispaniola. Charles set
out again for France in May 1495 ; and the malady
seems to have been both diffused by his infected troops
along the line of their northward march, and afterwards
carried to their respective homes by his own French
soldiers, as well as by his various Swiss, German, and
Flemish auxiliaries.
But it is as little my intention at present to trace
the progress as to ascertain the first origin of syphilis in
Europe. The chief object of the present communication
is to adduce some data which shew that the new malady
was not long in reaching the shores of Scotland, and in
PART L
Data.
When re-
cognucd.
Reaches
Scotbnd.
* Griincr's Aphrodisiacus, p. 86.
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART L spreading to dififerent towns in that kingdom. In proof
1 principally to appeal to one or two old
edicts and ordinances relative to the disease, and to other
collateral but slighter evidence bearing upon the subject.
The edicts or statutes in question were issued by the
Town Council of Aberdeen, in relation to the existence
of the malady in Aberdeen; and by the Privy Council
of Scotland, in relation to the prevalence of the disease
in Edinburgh. The two hrst edicts in both places were
issued in 1497. That of Aberdeen is the earliest It is
dated the 21st of April 1497. Its words, as they stand
in the old and carefully preserved Council Records of that
city,' are the following :—
AbcrdccD
edicts.
" The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the
Alderman and Consale for the eschevin of the infirmitey
cumm out of Franche and Strang partis, that all licht
weman be chargit and ordanit to decist fra thar vices and
syne of venerie, and all thair buthis and houssis skalit
and thai to pas and wirk for thar sustentacioun vndir the
payne of ane key of het yrne one tliair chekis, and bany-
sene of the toune." (Vol. i. p. 425.)
A few years later—or on the 8th October 1507—a
long list of statutes was passed by the " Prouest, bailyes
and counsale" of Aberdeen, for the "common proffitt,
weil, and gud reull of the burgh." Two of these statutes
refer again to the introduction and spread of syphilis. By
the first of these statutes it was enacted "That diligent
inquisitioun be takin of ale infect personis with this strange
seiknes of Nappillis, for the sauetie of the town; and the
' See "Extracts from the Council Roister of the Burgh of Aberdeen,"
edited by my friend Mr. John Stuart, and published by the Spalding Club.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
personis bcand infectit therwith be chargit to keip thaime
in their howssis and vther places fra the haill folkis."
(Vol. i. p. 437.)
Two or three enactments follow in the "statut buk"
on minor subjects, one ordering the hygienic measure
"that thar salbe certane personis to clcng the toun and
dicht the causaies and then succeeds another sanitary
ordinance relative to the avoidance of syphilis; viz., "That
nayne infeccht folkis with the seiknes of Napillis be
haldin at the common fleschouss, or with the fleschouris,
baxteris, brousteris, ladimaris, for sauete of the toun, and
the personis infectit sale keip thame quyat in thar houssis,
zhardis, or vther comat placis, quhill thai be haill for the
infectioun of their nichtbouris." (P. 437.)
The Edinburgh edict regarding syphilis was six months
later in date than the first of those issued by the magis-
trates of Aberdeen, and is more lengthy in its details and
provisions. It was drawn up, as I have already said, by
the King's Privy Council, and apparently sent to the
magistrates for due execution. It is preserved in the first
volume of the Town Records of Edinburgh, fol. 33, 34,
and is entitled in the rubric "Ane Grangore Act;"—
Grandgore being an early term often applied to syphilis
in Scotland. This edict has been repeatedly printed, but
usually in a very incorrect form. The exact date and
words of it are as follows ;—
PART I.
Data.
"xxii Septembris anno 1" iiii® Ixxxxvii zeiris. It is
our Souerane Lordis will and the command of the Lordis
of his Counsale send to the Frovest and bailUes within
this burch, that this proclamatioune followand be put till
executioune for the eschewing of the greit apperand
danger of the infectioune of his liegis fra this contagius
seiknes callit the Grandgor, and the greit vther skayth
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART I.
Data.
Sprea<Is in
Scotland.
that may occure to his legeis and inhabitouris within this
burch—that is to say—We charge straitlie and commandis
be the authoritie abone written, that all maner of personis
being within the fredome of this burch quhilkis ar infectit
or hes bene infectit vncurit with this said contagious plage
callit the Grandgor, devoyd red and pas furth of this toun
and compeir vpoun the sandis of Leith at x houris befoir
none, and thair sail thai haue and fynd botis reddie in
the havin ordanit to thame be the officiaris of this burch
reddely furneist with victuallis to haue thame to the Inche,
and thair to remane quhlll God prouyde for thair health,
and that all vther personis the quhilkis takis vpoune thame
to hale the said contagious inhrmitie and takis' the cure
thairof, that they devoyd and pas with thame, sua that
nane of thir personis quhilkis takis sic cure vpoune thame
vse the samyn cure within this burch in presens nor peirt
ony maner of way—and quha sa beis fundin infectit and
nocht passand to the Inche as said is be Monounday at
the sone ganging to, and in lykwayis the saidis personis
that takis the said cure of sanitie vpoun thame gif thai
will vse the samyn thai and ilk of thame sal be brynt
on the cheik with the marking irne that thai may be
kennit in tyme to cum—and thairefter gif ony thame
remanis that thai sail be banisht but fauouris."
It is almost unnecessary to add that the measures
adopted by the public authorities in Aberdeen and Edin-
burgh were utterly inadequate to arrest the further dis-
semination of syphilis after it was inoculated upon the
country. It seems indeed to have been spread to the more
populous towns of Scotland within a year or two after its
' By an evident clerical error this word is mis-spelled "vakis" in the copy of
the edict contained in the Town Council records.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
7
first introduction into the kingdom. There are some refe-
fences in official documents of the period which incident-
ally but amply prove this rapidity in its diffusion.
The notices to which I here specially refer exist in the
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland. The
Register House, Edinburgh, contains a curious and valu-
able series of these Accounts, detailing the daily expenses
of the kings of Scotland from the reign of James III. down
to the ascension of the English throne by James VI. At
the time of the first appearance of syphilis in our northern
realm, the throne of Scotland was occupied by James IV.,
a prince who was a great patron of the arts and sciences
of his time. He was a practitioner in them also, as well
as a patron of them. At different times we find him busily
experimenting in chemistry, in physiology, and in medicine.
His daily expense-books contain many entries of purchases
for instruments and materials to make the unmakeable
"quinta essentia," or philosopher's stone; and he had labo-
ratories for these investigations both at Edinbui^h and
Stirling. His alchemical assistant—John the Leeche—
whom he had imported from the Continent and made
Abbot of Tungland, experimented for the king in physio-
Ic^ as well as in chemistry. John, Daedalus-like, under-
took to prove the improvability of human progression by
flying to France with wings. " To that effect he causet
(states Bishop Lesley') mak ane pair of wingis of fedderis,
quhilkis beand fessinit apoun him, he flew off the castell
wall of Striveling, but shortly he fell to the ground and
brak his thee bane." But the doctrine of sympathies was
in vogue in these days, and by that doctrine the afflicted
Abbot easily, of course, and clearly explained all. For the
cause of his fall, or " the wyt thairof he asseryvit to that
PART I.
Data.
King
James IV.
' Ilistoiy of Scotland, by John Lesley, Bishop of Ross, p. 76.
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART 1.
Data.
James IV.',
suryery.
thair was sum hen fcdderis in the wingis, quhilk yarnit
and covet the mydding and not the skyis." Like the
Egyptian king mentioned by Herodotus, King James made
also a physiological or rather philological experiment to
ascertain the primeval language of mankind ; and for this
purpose His Majesty sent a deaf and dumb woman to
live with and bring up two young children upon the island
of Inchkeith, in the Firth of Forth—the same island to
which we have found the first victims of syphilis previously
banished, and itself the old '* Urbs Guidi" of the venerable
Bede When the two children, the companions of the
" dumb voman cam to the alge of perfyte speach, some
sayes" (to quote the account of Lindsay of Pitscottie)
"they spak guid Hebrewbut the cautious old Scottish
chronicler sagely doubts the truth of this tradition. King
James personally practised the art of leechcraft, as well as
experimented in alchemy and physiology. He was, says
Pitscottie, " Weill learned in the alrt of medicine, and was
ane singular guid chirurgiane ; and thair was none of that
professsioun if they had any dangerous cure in hand, bot
would have craved his adwyse" (p. 249). So states the
ancient Scottish historian. The High Treasurer's Account
shews that the king had in one important respect a right
royal way of gaining patients,—a way by the adoption of
which he probably might have secured a considerable
consultation and private practice even in these modern
days of high-pressure rivalry, and keen competition. For
he paid his patients, instead of being paid by them.
Thus, for example, in his daily expense-book, under the
date of April 14th and 15th, I49i,are the two following
entries:
" Item to Domenico to gif the king leve to lat him blud.
' The Chronicles of Scotland, by Robert Lindsay of PilscoUic, vol. L p. 249.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
xviii shillings." ** Item til a man yat come to Lythgow
to lat the king blud and did it nocht, xviii shillings."
Some time afterwards he buys from a travelling pedlar
"thre compases,ane hammer,and a turcase to tak out teeth;"
and, forthwith, we find the Scottish king becoming—like
the more modern Peter the Great of Russia—not a den-
tist to royalty, but himself a royal dentist, as the two
following entries may suffice to shew (the first of them
—provided there be any truth whatever in dental ortho-
graphy—surely indicating a tooth of rather a tough and
tusky character):—
"Item, to ane fallow, because the king pullit furtht
his twtht, xviii shillings."
" Item, to Kynnard, ye barbour, for tua teith drawin
furtht of his hed be the king, xviii shillings."
He seems to have tried his royal hand also at ocular
suigery. But the terms of the following entry would
seem rather ominously to hint that he was not a very sue-
cessful operator for cataract:
" Item,giffin to ye blind wif yat hed her eyne schorne,
xiii shillings."
A Prince imbued with such medical and surgical
propensities would naturally feel deeply interested in the
first appearance within his realm of such a malady as
syphilis ; and in his Treasurer's accounts there are several
entries indicating that the king had bestowed monies upon
various persons affected with this disease. Perhaps these
monies were given less in the way of alms, than in the
way of a reward for the king's medication of the patients;
less for the behoof of royal charity than of royal chirurgery.
The entries I advert to all occur during the currency of
His <lcn-
tislry.
He notices
syphilis.
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART I.
Data.
the years 1497 and 1498.* They are as follows:—the first
sum given away being to a person at Dairy, when the king
was on one of his many pilgrimages to the ancient and holy
shrine of St Ninian at Whitehorn, in Wigtonshire.
September 1497.
" Item to ane woman with the grantgore thair [Dalrye,
in Ayrshire], be the kingis' command . . iijs. vjd."
2 October 1497.
"Item to thaim that hed the grantgor at Linlith-
quho viljd."
21 February 1497-8.
Item that samyn day at the tounne end of Strivelin
to the seke folk in the grantgore .... ijs."
22 February 1497-8.
" Item the xxlj day of Februar giffin to the soke folk
in the grantgore at the tounn end of Glasgo . . ijs."
April 1498.
" seke folk in grangor in Lithgw as the
King com in the tounne . . . . ijs. viijd."
In the course of the preceding remarks I have had
occasion to adduce seven or eight difierent notices with
r^ard to the appearance of syphilis in various cities and
districts of Scotland during the years 1497-8, as at
Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Linlithgow, etc.
A diversity of allusions to the same disease, of a less
direct and official character, and somewhat later in date,
' Two of these entries were published by Mr. Pitcaim, in the Criminal Trials
of Scotland, voL i., p. 117. My friend Mr. Joseph Robertson, Superintendent
of Searches in the Literary and Antiquariiui Department of the General Register
House, most kindly collated for me the other entries, while looking over the
Treasurer's accounts for another purpose.
SYPHfLfS IN SCOTLAND.^
may be traced in various olden Scottish works and writ-
ings. The malady is occasionally alluded to. for example,
in the reports left us of some of the old criminal and other
trials of Scotland. Thus a minute in the Records of the
Privy Seal of Scotland records the punishment of a modi-
cal man in whose hands a dignitary of the church had
died while under treatment for syphilis. The entry is as
follows:
January i8th. 1509.—"Respitt made to Thomas
Lyn, burges of Edinburgh, for ye slauchtir of umquihile
Schir Lancelote Fatonsoun, chapellain, quhilk happinit be
negligent cure and medicine yat ye said Thomas tuk one
him to cure and hele ye said umquhile Schir Lancelote of
ye infirmitie of ye Grantgor yat he was infekkit with. To
endure for xix yeeris. (Subscripsit per dominum Regem
apud Edinburghe.)"'
Some, perhaps, of my professional brethren may think
that this nineteen years' banishment from the town was a
proper punishment for an unprofessional charlatan under-
taking the cure of syphilis in the sixteenth century; and
some, possibly, may even hold, that it would not be an
improper proceeding in this—the nineteenth century.
The disease is alluded to in some of the old Scotch
witch trials of the sixteenth century.
One of the most remarkable of these trials was that
of a lady of station and.wealth—Euphamc Macalzane,
daughter of Lord Cliftonhall, a judge of the Court of
Session. Among other matters, she was "indyted and
accusit" of using, during the birth of her two sons, anses-
thetics in the form of charms, and a fairy stone "layit
' Pitcaim's Criminal Trials, vol. L, p. 110.*
PART I.
Data.
Privy
Council
Records.
12
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART I.
under the bowster," whereby, in the words of the dittay,
Data.
" your seiknes was cassin of you unnaturallie, in the birth
of your fyrst sone upon ane dog, quhilk ranne away and
wes newir sene agane. And in the birth of your last
sone, the same prakteis foirsaid wes usit, and your naturall
and kindlie payne, unnaturallie cassin of you uponn the
wantonne cat in the house, quhilk lyke wyis wes newer
sene thair efter." In the fourteenth item of her indict-
ment she is accused of trying to break off a marriage by
" certane witchcraft," and by allying that the intended
bridegroom had the "glengore." For these and other
analogous crimes this unfortunate lady was "takin to the
Castel-Hill of Edinburghe, and thair bund to ane staik,
and brunt in assis, quick to the death."'
Poetical
There are also various sarcastic allusions to syphilis
allusions.
by the Scottish poets of these early days, amply testifying
to the fact of its rapid diffusion both among the followers
of the court—who were then the most common objects of
poetical satire—and among the community at large.
William Dunbar, the flower of the old Scottish poets,
was, at the period of the first introduction of syphilis in
1497, in the prime of manhood; and in t\vo or three
years afterwards, viz., in 1500, he was attached to James
IV. and his court by an annual state pension. In a
number of verses addressed to his patroness Margaret,
the Queen of James IV. and the sister of Henry VIII.—
verses which appear to us at the present day, and with
our existing standards of taste, as utterly degraded and
Dunbar.
indecent—Dunbar commemorates the communication of
the new disease under the name of the "pockis" and the
" Spanyie pockis," to the Queen's men (as he terms them)
during the jollities of Fastern's e'en, and the reign of the
^ Pitc^m's Cnminal Trials, vol. L p. 332.
SyPN/L/S IN SCOTLAND.
13
Abbot of Unreason ; and he closes his stanzas with an
earnest advice to all youths, to
PART I.
Data.
" Be ware with that peirelous play
That men callis libbing of the Pockis."'
The after effects and consequences of the disease he dc-
scribes as follows :—
" Sum that war tyatouss as nunmis,
Ar now maid tame lyk ony lammis,
And settin doun lyk scaryc crockis,
And hes forsaikin all sic gammis
That men call libbing of the Pockis."
" Sum thocht thame selffis stark lyk gyandis,
Ar now maid weak lyk willow wandis,
With schinnis scharp, and small lyk rockis,
And gottin thair bak in bayth thair handis,
For owcT oft libbing of the Pockis."
Another and later poet of that age, Sir David Lyndsay
of the Mount, alludes to the occurrence of syphilis at the
Christmas feasts in an inferior officer of the court, viz., in
John Mackrery, the king's "fule," or royal jester, who,
according to the poet—like many a poor fool since John's
time—did
" In his maist triumphand gloir.
For bis reward gel the Grandgoir."*
Lyndsay.
The same author includes this disease elsewhere (p. 147)
among the maladies
" Quhilk humane nature dois abhor.
As in the Gut, Gravel, and Gor."
A metrical translation of Hector Bocce's History of
Scotland was made in the earlier half of the sixteenth
Stewart.
* See Mr. Laing's admirable edition of Dunbar's Poems, vol L p. 11$.
* Lyndsay's Warkis (>592), p. 26z.
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART I.
Data.
century, apparently by command of James V. It has
been published for the hrst time, within the last two years,
under the authority and direction of the Master of the
Rolls. The author of this rhyming ** Buik of the Chronicles
of Scotland," William Stewart, when translating Boece's
account of the fatal disease produced in the old mythical
Scotch king, Ferquhard, by the bite of a wolf, tells us
(vol. ii. p. 313) that the resulting gangrenous wound
defied the skill of the leiches, and the fsetor of it, and its
discharges were
" Moir horribill als that time for till abhor,
No canker, fester, gut, or yit Grandgor."
In the celebrated old poem of the General Satire of
Scotland, attributed by most authorities to Dunbar, and
which, from some circumstances adverted to in the course
of it, is supposed by Sibbald and Chalmers to have been
written in 1504 (seven years after the first introduction
of syphilis), the author deplores the extent to which the
disease had by that time already spread in Scotland,
observing—
" Sic losing sarkis, so mony Glcngoir markis,
Within this land was nevir hard nor sene."*
In several of the notices which I have just quoted, the
new disease, syphilis. Is alluded to under the names of
" Gor," " Gore," " Grandgore," etc. Few maladies have been
loaded with a more varied and more extensive nomen*
clature. The terms in question, " Gore " and " Grandgore,"
are of French origin, and are old names corresponding to
pox and great pox—"verole" and "grand verole." In
the earlier periods of the history of syphilis they were
terms commonly employed by the French themselves to
' See Dunbar's Poems, vol iL p. 24.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND,
*5
designate the affection. To quote one confirmatory sen*
tence from Astruc (p. 1166), the disease "Gore et Grand*
gore a Gallis initio vocata erat" John le Maire, in his
celebrated poem on syphilis, published in 1520, gives this
as one of the designations of the disease used at that time
by the commonalty:—
"La noromoit Gorre ou la verol« grossc.
Qui n'espargnoit ne couronoe ne crosse."'
Old Rabelais, whose Gargantua and Pantagfuel are
perfect repositories of the low and licentious French words
of the era at which syphilis first appeared, uses the term
Grandgore as a synonyme for syphilis; and in his wild
allegorical style he makes the poor and widowed poet,
Rammagrobis, take this grandgore to bed for his second
wife. The term Grandgore seems to have been applied to
the disease in Scotland for a long time after its introduc*
tion. For example, the author of the " Historie of the
Kennedys" quotes a letter, written in the latter part of the
sixteenth century by the Laird of Colzean to the Laird of
Bargany, whose " neise was laich," maliciously suggesting
to him that yet he might lose " sum uther joynt of the
Glengoir, as ye did the brig of your neise."' Still later, or
in 1600, the Kirk Session of Glasgow requested the magis-
trates "to consult the chirurgeons how the infectious dis-
temper of Glengore could be removed from the city."^
In Scotland, as elsewhere, the disease also passed
under other designations. When syphilis first broke out
it was frequently, as is well known, designated from the
PART I.
Data.
ILibclais.
Other
names.'
' Astruc, p. 634.
* Historical, Slc., Account of the Principal Families of the name of Kennedy,
p. 17.
* Clebnd, in 1st Part of the Transactions of the Glasgow and Clydesdale
Statistical Society, p. 13.
i6
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART I. country or people from whom it was supposed to have
Data. been transmitted. Thus, the Italians and Germans at
first generally spoke of it as the French disease; while
the French talked of it as the disease of Naples ; and the
Dutch, Flemings, Portuguese, and Moors, applied to it the
name of the Spanish pocks or Castilian malady. Dunbar,
in the Scottish poem already alluded to as addressed to
Queen Margaret, speaks of it, in most of the stanzas,
under the simple title of " pockis," but in one he gives it,
as I have already hinted, the distinctive and significant
appellation of the Spanish- pocks :—
" I saw cow-clinkis me besyd ;
The young men to thair howssis gyd,
Had better liggit in the stockis;
Sum fra the bordell wald nocht byd,
Quhill that thai gatt the Spanyie PockU."
Sickness of In two of the Aberdeen Town Council entries we
Naples. have already seen the malady spoken of as " the sickness
of Naples." This name was at first often applied to the
malady. The disease was, however, much more generally
known in Scotland and in the other kingdoms of Europe
under the name of the French pox. The first Aberdeen
edict speaks of it in 1497 as the "infirmity come out of
France." In the manuscript Session Records of the parish
of Ormiston for 1662, there is an entry regarding the
malady under the appellation of the French pox, one of
the minutes being—
French pox. " The minister, Mr. Sinclair, hath given out to James
Ogiivy, apothecary-chirurgeon, for curing William Whitly,
his wife and daughter, of the French pockis, 3 5 lbs Scots."
Grunbeck and Brandt, who wrote on syphilis in 1496,
when speaking of the diffusion of the disease at that early
date over Europe, both allude in very vague and general
terms to its having invaded France, Germany, etc., and
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
reached as far as Britain.' But the earliest specific notice
of syphilis in England which 1 remember to have met
with is in 1502 ; and in this notice the malady is spoken
of under the same name that 1 have been adverting to, of
" French pox." The notice in question is contained in
the interesting Privy Purse Expense Book of Elizabeth of
York, the queen of Henry VII., edited by Sir Harris
Nicolas. This charitable lady seems from these records
to have had several proteges under her immediate care and
keeping. Among these proteges is entered John Pertriche,
one " of the sonnes of mad Beale." There are various
articles of expenditure noted in the Queen's private ex-
pense book as lavished upon this John Pertriche during
the currency of 1503; as monies for his "dyetts," for buy-
ing "shirtes," "shoyn," and "hosyn," "cloth for a gown,"
and " fustyan for a cote " to him. There are twenty pence
expended "for his lernyng;" and the last two items in
the account record attempts of two different and rather
opposite kinds to amend the mental and moral deficiencies
of this hopeful youth. These two ultimate items are—
" For a prymer and saulter (book to John), 20 pence."
"And payed to a Surgeon whiche heled him of the
Frenche pox, 20 shillings."
To finish this very rough and meagre sketch, let me
here add that by the end of the sixteenth century—and
perhaps long before that date—the malady was abundant
enough in England. Writing in 1596, or in the time of
Queen Elizabeth, William Clowes, " one of her Majesties
' See Cninbeck, in Tractatws dc PesliJentia Scorra, a 8 ; and Brant, in hi.-;
poetical Eulogium De Scorn Pestilential!—
•' Nec satis exlremo tutantur in orbe Britanni."
Data.
Earlie&t
English
Id 1596.
i8
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART I.
Data.
chtrui^ians," observes to his "friendly reader," "If I be
not deceived in mine opinion, I suppose the disease itselfe
was never more rife in Naples, Italie, France, or Spain,
than it is in this day in the Realme of England."'
^ A Briefie and Necessary Treatise touching the Cure of the Disease now
usually called Lues Venerea.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
'9
PART II.
'^HE preceding notices, however brief and imperfect,
relative to the first introduction and dissemination of
syphilis in Scotland, are not simply matters calculated to
gratify mere antiquarian curiosity. They appear to me
to be capable of a much higher application, for they olfer
so many elements tending to illustrate the general history
of the first appearance of syphilis in Europe. Besides, we
may, I believe, be justified in drawing from the data they
afiford, several not uninteresting nor unimportant corollaries,
both in regard to the first origin and mode of propagation
of the disease, and the distinction of it from other afiec-
tions with which it has sometimes been confounded.
INFEKESCES.
\st Corollary. These notices tend to corroborate the
pathological opinion, that syphilis was a species of disease
new to Europe when it first excited the attention of physi-
cians and historians in the last years of the fifteenth century.
Like the numerous list of contemporary authors and
physicians quoted by Astruc, Griiner, and Weatherhead,
the Aberdeen edict speaks of syphilis in the last years of
the fifteenth century as a disease hitherto unknown, " the
infirmity come out of France and foreign parts." The
Edinburgh edict mentions it as "a contagious disease
callit the grandgore." If it had been previously known.
Syphilis
new to
Scotland.
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART 11.
Inferences.
. Conor-
rhea.
the definite, and not the indefinite, article would have, in
all probability, been employed. And if such a disease
had previously existed on the continent of Europe, there
is every reason to believe that it would have also existed
and been known in Britain. Besides, this reasoning cer-
tainly admits of being inverted and changed, in so far that
we may probably lay it down with equal justice, that if
the disease was new, as it would appear to have been, in
Scotland at that time, it was in all probability new also to
the other kingdoms of Europe.
2d Corollary.—But if syphilis was thus new in Britain
in the end of the fifteenth century, this shews that it is a
species of disease distinct and different alike,—'ist from
gonorrhea, and 2d from Greek leprosy, with both of which
maladies it has, as is now well known, been occasionally
confounded ; for both these maladies existed, and were
abundantly recognised, in this, as in other countries, long
before the era of the introduction of syphilis. Gonorrhea
was early distinguished by English authors under the name
of "burning" or "brenning" (ardor urina, arsura, etc.)
Thus, Andrew Borde, in his Breviary of Health, 1546,
speaks of it as the " burning of an harlotte." " Burning of
harlottes" is also mentioned in Bulleyn's Bulwark of
Defence, 1562. But it is under this same name that
reference is made to the same disease in one of the
ordinances enacted about 1430, for the better regulation
of the eighteen brothels that stood for centuries on the
Bankside in Southwark, under the jurisdiction of the
Bishop of Winchester. At the above date it was decreed
that "no stcwholder keep noo woman wythin his hous
that hath any sickness of brenning.'" This statute was
' ^ec Mr. Beckett's papers in the Philosophical Transactions for 171&
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
21
enacted half a century before the introduction of syphilis
in England; and nearly a century previously, gonorrhea
had been accurately described, among others, by John
Arden, sut^eon to Richard II., who, writing about 1380,
gave a correct summary of the symptoms, pathology, and
treatment of this malady. In an old English medical
poem, evidently written not later than the last part of the
fourteenth century, and published lately by Mr. Stephens
of Copenhagen, there is a receipt for "all maner brenninge"
(line 294); and then follows a series of cures (line 5 10, &c)
" if ye verge be brente
As man of woman may so be schentc,
Tborow cas yt woml may be his bote
Off qwom his sekeoesse be gan ye rote."*
There is no doubt, further, that gonorrhea was well
known to the Greek, Roman, and Arabic authors, and is
described unmistakeably in their writings.
I might also, if it were here necessary, adduce abun-
dant evidence to shew that the two diseases, Greek leprosy
and syphilis, though sometimes confounded together, were
always in general regarded as two entirely different affec-
tions; and that, as such, the hospitals severally appointed
for the reception of those unfortunates labouring under
the diseases in question were kept distinct and separate.
Thus, in 1527, the Carmelite monk, Paul Ella, proposed
to the burgomaster of Copenhagen a plan for an hospital
outside the town for "syphilis, cancer, and other great
sores," similar to the Leper Hospital already existing;'
for syphilis had, at an early period of its existence, spread
itself into Denmark.
PART II.
Inferences.
2. Le)>rusy.
' Archsologia, vol. xxx., p. 358 and 359-
* Holdtfddt's Chronik, p. 6. Astruc (p. 116) points to the same fact in
regard to Paris, where two leper hospitals existed when syphilis b^n ; hut the
syphilitic patients were not sent to them, but to other houses specially hired for
the purpose.
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART IL
Inferences.
Leper
Hospitals.
How spread.
When syphilis broke out in Edinbui^h, in 1497, those
affected by it were not sent to the leper hospital then
existing near the town, but they were ordered off to
Inchkeith. In the course of the next century, we find in
the Kirk Session books of Glasgow the two maladies
recognised as distinct, and two separate hospitals devoted
to those affected by these two separate diseases. For on
the 20th October 1586, the Kirk Session "ordains some
to visit the leper folks' house or spittal beyond the brig, to
see how the same, and the dykes of the yards may be
reformed, and that nane be received but town's folks."
But again, in 1592, the same Session directed "that the
house beyond tlie stable-green-port for women afflicted
with the Glengore be looked after."*
In a late census of Norway, above two thousand
lepers were found in that small kingdom ; but the Scandi-
navian physicians do not confound together syphilis and
Greek elephantiasis, and have no difflculty in distinguish-
ing them. Nor have our own colonial professional men
in the East, and in the West Indies, where both diseases
exist, any dubiety, at the present day, in recognising them
as two totally different and specific maladies.
%d Corollary.—As regards the mode or modes in
which syphilis was supposed to be so speedily propagated
at its first appearance in Europe, the Aberdeen and Edin-
burgh records are both interesting, though in some respects
they offer very opposite testimony on this point
For some time after syphilis broke out it \vas believed,
both by medical men and by the non-medical public, that the
disease was communicable, and constantly communicated
from the infected to the healthy by the employment of
* Sw Dr. Cldand's Extracts, in Transactions of Glasgow Statistical Society,
Part L p. 13, etc.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
the clothes, vessels, baths, etc. used by those already
suffering from it, and by the slightest corporeal contact,
or even by inhaling the same air with them. I might
appeal on this head, if it were necessary, to the individual
and general testimony of Schilling, Torella, Brandt, Massa,
and almost every other early continental author, historical
or medical, who mentions the first outbreak of syphilis.
Some even thought that neither the presence of infected
persons, nor of fomites, was always absolutely requisite. In
his work, De Morbo Gallico, published in 1551 (above half
a centuiy after the disease commenced), Benedict Victorius,
of Fienga, like most of his contemporaries, still maintained
that "tlie state of the air" (to use his own words), "to-
gethcr with that of the putrid humours, are sufficient to
beget the affection and in strong confirmation, he adds,
" I myself happened once to know some honest and religious
nuns, who were confined in the strictest manner, and yet
contracted the venereal disease from the peculiar state of
the air, together with that of the putrid humours, and
the weakness of their habit of body."
The same belief in the easy contagion of syphilis with-
out contact or intercourse extended to our own country.
It was, in particular, strongly believed that the malady
could be propagated from the sick to the healthy by the
medium of the breath. One of the gravest articles of guilt
brought against the celebrated Cardinal Wolsey, when he
was arraigned before the English House of Lords, in 1529,
was the allegation that (to quote the ipsissima verba of
the indictment, as laid before Henry VIII.), "whereas
your Grace is our Sovereign Lord and Head, in whom
standeth all the surety and wealth of tins realm, the same
Lord Cardinal knowing himself to have the foul and con-
tagious disease of the great pox, broken out upon him in
divers places of his body, came daily to your Grace, rown-
Inferences.
By fomiles.
24
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART II.
INFEREN'CES.
Edinburgh
regulations.
ing in your ear, and blowing upon your most noble Grace
with his perilous and infective breath, to the marvellous
danger of your Highness, if God of his inhRite goodness
had not better provided for your Highness. And when
he was once healed of them, he made your Grace believe
that his disease was an impostume in his head, and of
none other thing."'
The notion that the breath of persons having the
venereal disease was infectious seems to have prevailed as
late as the reign of William and Mary. Dr. Oates, in his
"Picture of the late King James" (1696), says,—"Tom
Jones, your quondam chaplain, was afraid to go to old
Sheldon, for fear he should give him the pox by breathing
on him." (Part 11. p. 106.)
The Edinburgh regulations of September 1497 are
evidently framed upon the idea that "the contagious
plage callit the grandgore," as they term it, was propagated
by simple contact, and personal intercourse, or probably
even by the air. Hence their strict injunctions for the
removal and detention of the " infectit, or that hes bene
infectit and incurit," to their secluded position upon the
island of Inchkeith, for "the eschewing" (to cite again the
words of the edict) "of the greit apperand danger of the
infectioune of the lieges." Indeed, it seems to have been
believed that the disease might be communicated through
medical attendants, or intermediate individuals who were
themselves unaffected. This is at least the natural, or,
indeed, the only interpretation of that part of the edict
which enjoined that all persons who take upon them " to
hale the said contagious inhrmitie," go with their infected
' PnrlimentAry History, vol. iiL p. 44 ; Henry's History of Great Britain,
vol xil p. S19; the Life and Reign of King Henry VIII., by the Right Hon.
Edward Lord Herbert of Chcrbury, 1572, p- 295-
SYPHILIS IH SCOTLAND.
25
patients to Inchkcith; and if they attended and treated
such cases within the city, they did so at the peril of being
themselves cauterized on the cheek with the " marking
iron," and banished without favour (banisht but favouris)
out of the town.
The anxiety of the authors of the Edinburgh regula-
tions to prevent this supposed medium of communication
through a third person is further displayed in the severity
of the punishment—(the application, namely, of the actual
cautery to the face)—denounced against the medical
attendants who should infringe the above edict by not
passing to, and remaining on, Inchkeith. " Lykwayis the
saidis personis that takis the said cure of sanitie vpoun
thame, sal be byrnt on the cheike with the marking irne
that thai may be kennit in tyme to cum."
For some time after the first outburst of the disease,
sexual intercourse with the infected does not seem to have
been suspected as the source and means by which the
syphilitic contagion was propagated. Nor was the local
primary afiection of the sexual organs generally noticed by
the authors of these times as either a constant or marked
symptom. They were acquainted with, and described,
only the secondary symptoms of the malady—the hide-
ous eruptions on the skin—the ulcers of the throat—
the nocturnal pains in, and lesions of, the bones—while
they mostly all pass over the genital organs, as if they
remained unaffected. So much so was this the case, that
we find Montagnana, in 1498, advising not as a means of
infection, but rather as a means of cure, moderate coition;
for, in laying down various rules of treatment to a sick
bishop under his care for syphilis, he inculcates, among
other items " coitus vero sit temperatus." '
PART 11.
iNf-SkENCES
.Spread by
third
persons.
Erroneous
ideas.
' See his Cansilium pro revcrcodissimo Episcopo et Hungaris Viccr^e;
in Luisious' Collection, vol. ii. p. 6.
26 ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART II. When treating of this subject, and when speaking of
Inferences, both the usual mode of the infection of syphilis, and its
primary local symptoms generally escaping notice at the
Swediaur. era of the first appearance of the disease, Swediaur observes,
—" It is worthy of remark, that although many authors,
since the year 15 00, make mention of the genital organs,
and say that syphilis may more generally (ut plurimum)
be communicated by coition; not one before that time
(1500) points out the (primary) affection as essential or
characteristic of the disease. All (Swediaur adds) look
upon it as a disease pestilential and contagious without
coition, and even without any direct contact" (voL I.
p. 36). The observations of Astruc and Girtanner, and
other authors on this point, are nearly to the same effect.
In relation to this question, that of the actual mode
Aberdeen and means of propagation of syphilis, the edict of Aber-
deen, in 1497, is particularly remarkable and interesting,
and most fully maintains the character of the capital of
the north for that native shrewdness and sagacity which
the poet Dunbar long ago solemnly assigned to it We
have just now referred to Swediaur, etc stating, that up
to 1500, all European writers looked upon syphilis as
spreading, pestilentially and contagiously, without coition.
Three years earlier, the aldermen and town council of
Aberdeen seem to have arrived at more just ideas of its
laws of propagation, and to have distinctly suspected
impure sexual intercourse as the mode of communica-
tion of the malady. This seems to be fully borne out
by their ordering, " for the eschewing of the infirmitey,"
that (to use the words of the edict) " all licht weman be
chargit and ordanit to desist fra thar syne of venerie
and we have the usual glowing and earnest threat of the
application of the actual cautery, or " ane key of het yrne
(hot iron) to thair chekis," in case of disobedience. The
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
27
later Aberdeen edicts of 1507, which we have already
quoted at length, shew, however, that the rulers of the
burgh had been subsequently led to adopt the erroneous
idea of the leading authorities of the day, that the disease
might be transmitted also in the way of common conta-
gions, and even, perhaps, by the medium of a third person.
Corollary. The early notices that I have adduced
of the appearance of syphilis in Scotland are curious as
proofs of the rapidity with which the disease travelled, at
its first outbreak, over the kingdoms of Europ>e. The
new malady was, as I have already stated, first distinctly
recognised during the period that Charles VIII. of France
occupied the city of Naples, or rather immediately after
he left that place. The cases of the disease that had
appeared previously were not, at least, anywhere in such
numbers, or in such severity, as to excite any marked and
decided degree of attention from physicians or from the
public That Naples was the locality in which the con-
tagion first burst forth so extensively and overtly as to
be considered almost the source and cradle of the new
epidemic; and further, that this happened at the precise
date of the visit of the French army, seems, as has been
suggested by various authors, to be shewn by the very
designations respectively conferred at the time upon the
new affection by the Neapolitans and French. For whilst,
as already alluded to, the French, as is well known, desig-
nated it at its first commencement among them the Nea-
politan disease, alleging it to have been communicated to
them by the inhabitants of Naples, the Neapolitans, on
the other hand, termed it the French disease, believing
that it had been brought to them by the victorious army
of France. Now the date of Charles's sojourn in Naples
is well known. His army, in their march through Italy,
PART U.
INFEKSS'CSS.
Its npi<l
diffusioD.
Naples
28
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART II.
Inferences.
Columbus'
arrival.
2^6 April
'497-
arrived at Rome on the 4th December 1494, and entered
Naples on the 21st or 22nd February 1495; and after
remaining three months, they vacated the city on the 20th
May. On the 24th of the same month the renowned
Spanish general Cordova landed in Sicily; on the 6th
July the battle of Fuornovo was fought, and next day
King Ferdinand returned to Naples; but the last remains
of the French army did not reach France till the end of
the following year. The Aberdeen edict, however, was
issued within less than two years after Charles commenced
his march homeward. Or, we may state the matter other-
wise. Columbus arrived at Palos, in Andalusia, after his
first voyage to the New World, on the 15th March 1493,
having previously landed at Lisbon on the 6th, and visited
the Portuguese king at Valparaiso: while Pinzen, the com-
mander of the other remaining caravel of Columbus' tiny
fleet, was about the same date, driven northward into the
French port of Bayonne. Possibly one focus or centre for
the future spread and dissemination of syphilis was left in
this French port by Pinzen's crew, if they brought the infec-
tion with them; but I have nowhere found any allusion to
this question. Columbus reached Spain, from his second
voyage, in April 1496. The edict of the Aberdeen alder-
men and council was passed on the 23d April 1497, or
exactly four years and thirty-eight days from the date of
Columbus' first return to Spain; while the famous ordi-
nance of the Parisian authorities regarding syphilis was
issued on the 6th March, 1497, only forty-eight days be-
fore that of Aberdeen.'
In reference to the rapidity with which syphilis spread
from the south and middle of Europe to this small and
isolated kingdom of Scotland, it is necessary to remember
' Astruc, p. 113 (English Edition).
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
29
that in the last years of the fifteenth century, and during
the reign of James IV., the intercourse of this country
with " France, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, and Flanders
was (to quote the words of the Scottish historian, Mr.
Tytler) as regular and uninterrupted, not only in the more
solemn way of embassies, but by heralds, envoys, and
merchants, as that carried on with England."' There
was in actual operation, also, at that very date, another
medium by which such a disease was very likely to be
carried from the Continent to our shores, and diffused
among the population of the laiger towns. In November
1495, Perkin Warbeck, under the title of Prince Richard,
Duke of York, arrived in Scotland, and was received with
regal honours by King James, who bestowed upon him in
marriage his cousin, the Lady Catherine Gordon. This
pretended claimant to the English throne remained in
Scotland till July 1497. He was preceded, accompanied,
and followed to this country by gay and reckless " soldiers
of fortune" from the Continent, Ireland, England, etc.—the
men of all others most likely to transmit and diffuse such
a disease as syphilis. These adventurers appear to have
been quartered by the Scottish King upon various towns.
Thus, the town-records of Aberdeen shew that, as early as
the 5th July 1495,—some months before Warbeck him-
self arrived in Scotland,—a burgh tax was imposed " to
thesustentaciounof aught Inglismen of the Duk of Vorkis,
direkit to the toune by our souerane lordis hienes, and
his letteris therapone."—{Spalding Club Extracts, voL i.,
p- 57)
The speed, however, with which the disease thus
travelled from the south of Europe to its western confines
has been often employed as an argument to shew that the
PART II.
Inferencbs.
Perkin
Warbeck.
Mode of
propaga-
' Tytler's History of Scotland, vol. iv., p. 319.
30
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART IL
Infkkcnces.
State of
morals.
contagion of syphilis was propagated at its hrst introduc-
tion by laws dillerent from those which now regulate its
communication. In other words, it has been often alleged
that the disease was then spread from kingdom to kingdom,
and from city to city, by epidemic influences and by gene-
ral contagion, and not merely by the slower medium of
impure sexual connection. We have just seen such a
doctrine so far belied by the sagacious regulations of the
magistrates of Aberdeen ; and when we look to the then
existing state of Society, both on the Continent and in our
own country, to the loose manners and licentious lives of
these times, we shall probably And a suflicient solution of
the, at first sight, difhcult problem of the rapid dissemi-
nation of the new malady. The morals of the general
mass of the people are ever found to be principally r^u-
lated by the example set before them by the aristocracy
and clergy. At the date of the introduction of syphilis
into Europe, the notorious habits of the two latter ruling
bodies were assuredly such as to expedite greatly the
diffusion of the new scourge that had sprung up among
them ; and hence, at its first outbreak, we And the disease
Axing itself upon several of the highest members of the
continental courts, and of the church. The Emperor
Charles V., and Pope Alexander VI., kings and cardi-
nals, princes and bishops, peers and priests, are openly
and publicly recorded among its victims by those who
personally watched and described the Arst ravages of
syphilis. In fact the disease was then scarcely, or indeed
not at all, looked upon as conferring any degree of
infamy.
In his tract on the malady,' published at Rome in the
year 1500, Peter Pinctor mentions by name, and without
' De Morbo fxdo el occnlto, bis lonporibus affligenle.
SYPHTUS IN SCOTLAND.
any reticence, three of the more illustrious patients whom
he had treated for this new disease, namely, the Prebendary
Centez, the Cardinal of Segovia, and his Holiness the reign-
ing Pope. Writers thought it no imputation on their own
characters to publish an account of the disease as it occurred
in their own persons. The physician Joseph Grunbeck of
Burkchauscn, in his essay " De Pestilentiali Scorra sive
Mala de Frantzos (1496)," tells his readers how he himself
caught the disease from the atmosphere, when walking in
some fields near Augsburg. One of the earliest adherents
and fiercest champions of the Reformation in Germany
was Ulric Hutten, "the poet and valiant knight of the six-
teenth century," as Merle D'Aublgn^ designates him. In
1519, H iitten, though bred to arms, and not to physic, pub-
lished a treatise—" De Guiaci Medicina,etc., Morbo Gallico."
In this treatise he details his own case and sufferings from
the disease, how he had been " utterly vexed with the
sycknes,"—had been eleven times salivated for It, and was
at last cured by guiacum. This treatise, written, as the
preface bears, by "that great clerke of Almayne, Ulrich
Hutten, Knycht," was translated by Thomas Paynell
Chanon of Marten Abbey, and published in England in
1539. The disease was, in Hiitten's opinion, produced
" throughe some unholsome blastes of the ayre." His
polemical antagonist, Erasmus, in his " Colloquy of
Gamos and Agamos," denounced fiercely the character
of this reforming and literary knight:—"Quails eques (he
exclaims) cui per Scabiem vix in sella sederc liceat!"
In order to shew how swiftly a disease, propagated in
the way syphilis is, might overrun the society of continen-
tal Europe towards the conclusion of the fifteenth century,
it is only necessary to allude to the dire and deplorable
state of morals among those that ought to have set an
example to the community, namely, the clergy of these
PART II.
Inferences.
32
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART II.
Inferences.
Cily of
Rome.
days, as painted by the tongue and pens of their own
writers. In an official sermon published by Martene
(tom. ii., p. 1758), and preached in St Peter's at Rome
by the Apostolic Auditor prior to the election of the pope
in the year 1484, the corrupt morals and dishonesty of
the whole church are denounced ; and it is added that
many do not merely commit, but triumph even in such
sins as the subversion of chastity and other virtues (de
pudicitia, caeterisque virtutibus subversis, triumphantes).
The frightful licentiousness and obscene orgies of the
reigning pontiff, and of his family and court, which
speedily followed, formed a hideous practical commentary
upon this text. A high Romanist who had the honour
of refusing a cardinal's hat, Claud D'Espence, Rector of
the University of Paris, after exposing the infamy of the
taxes of the apostolic chancery, with its list of " filthy and
horrid iniquities" (foedorum tamque horrendorum scelerum)
—a license for any and all of which could be purchased
—adds, " You shall say we ingenuously confess that God
permits this (Lutheran) prosecution to come upon his
Church on account of the sins of men, chiefly of priests
and prelates, from whose sins the Scriptures cry out that
the sins of the people are derived Is it wonderful if
the malady descend from the head to the members, from
the supreme Pontiff to others ?' Where, under heaven, is
there a greater license of all evils (infamia, impudecentia,
etc.) ? Truly (adds D'Espence, and he had personally
visited Rome), evils such and so great that no one can
* The simple and newly elected Poutiff, Adrian VI., when writing to his
L<^te at the Diet of Nuremberg, a.d. 1522, in the same spirit observes, " We
are well aware that for many years past the holy city has bran a scene of many
corruptions and al>ominations. The infection has spread from the head through
the members, and has descended from the popes to the rest of the clcigy."—
Pallav. Op., vol L, p. 160. Sarpi, p. 25.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
33
believe but he who has seen, and no one can deny but
he who has not seen...
Viv«re <|ui ciipitis &anct«, diacedilc Koina;
Omnia cum liccant, non licet <&.!« bonum." *
Previously another orthodox Roman ecclesiastic, Nicolas
de Ciemangis, Archdeacon of Bayeux, had in indignant,
and, let us hope. In too sweeping terms, denounced the
continental nunneries of these dark days as little better
than brothels, and the taking of the veil as almost
synonymous with a profession of public prostitution.—
" Nam quod aliud sunt pucllarum monastcria nisi quredam
non dicam Dei sanctuaria, sed Veneris execranda posti-
bula. Sed lascivorum et impudicorum juvenum ad libi*
dines explendas reccptacula ut idem hodie sit puellam
velare, quod et publice ad scortandum exponere."* Truly
' See Claud. Espencici Opera Omnia, p. 479. The morals uf (hose as-
sembled at (he "sacred" Couneils of (he Church shewed, perhaps, in tliesc
days, little or no amemlment upon the morals of Rome iL-«tf. At the (,Tea(
Council of Constance, for esam|ile, held in the fifteenth century, (here were,
accoixling (0 the long list of (hose present, a.s given by Lenfant, " seven hundred
common women" whose habitations were known to Ducher; whilst the
Vienna list of the same Council sets down (he list of "meretrices vagabimda:"
as fifteen hundred in number (Lenfant's History of the Council of Constance,
Vol. iv., pp. 414, 416). This council was .sunimonc<t together by thai
misnamed "Vic^erem of Goil on earth," Hope John -XXIII., a man who,
according to his own secrct.iry, Thierry de Nigm, was guilty of "at! the mortal
sins, and of a multitude of abominable acts not fit to Iw name<l" (Miem de Vita
Joh. XXIIL, ap Von der Hardt, Tom ii., p. 391.) Among other malters, the
Procurators of the Council publicly accused him before it of "cum uxorc fatris
sui, et cum Sanctis monialibus inccstum, cum virginibus sluprum, et cum con-
jugatis .ndulterium, et alia incomlneniiae crimiiia" (ConcIL Constaa .Sckl XL,
Binius Tom. Hi., p. 874). Vet this same "infallible" Council of Constance, as
it torm«<l itself, called together, .as it was, professtally for the cure of the evils
and doctrines of the Church and Papacy, principally distinguished itself in
history by burning John Hu.ss and Jerome of Prague for preaching from the
Scriptures the pure and simple gospel of Jesus Christ.
* NicoL de CIcmangiis Opera (Edit. Lydil.), p. 22.
PART I.
ISFERENCES.
D
34
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART II.
Inferences.
British
Clergy.
Monasteries.
in these pre>Rcformation days there was, as Cardinal
Bellarmine confesses and laments, "almost no religion
left."'
As far as regarded the predisposing habits and in-
fluence of the clergy, matters were not better in Britain
than on the continent, when the disease first reached this
country. We have already seen Cardinal Wolsey, the
primate of England, publicly accused in parliament of
labouring under the disease. We can, however, wonder
the less at the disease attacking such a high dignitary,
when we recollect that, according to some writers," there
was openly inscribed over the doors of a palace belonging
to this prelate—"Domus Merctricium Domini Cardiualis."
Polydore Vergil, the sub-collector of the Pope's revenues
in England, speaks, perhaps in exaggerated terms, of the
orgies in the residence of Wolsey, by which he allured at
first the young King Henry VIII. " DomI suae voluptatum
omnium sacrarlum fecit quo regem frequenter duccbat
Sermones ieporis plenos habebat, etc."' The manners
of the inferior dignitaries of the church offered only too
close an intimation of those of its Primate. The commis-
sioners appointed by Henry the Eighth to visit the
monasteries of England have recorded a sad, and (even
setting aside the influence of prejudice) probably only too
true a picture of the moral degeneracy of the great mass
' Opera, Tom. vL oal. 296 (EA of 1617). The history of these and other
dark times shews us, however, occasional bright and isolated glimpses of the
existence of true Christianity in general society and in the cloisters. In the
personal history of Luther, for example, few circumstances are more interesting
than the fact of Sutupitz, the Vicar General of the Order of Augustine Monks
of Germany, earnestly and tenderly assisting the young and distressed monk of
Erfurth to arrive at a knowledge of salvation by faith alone (as laid down in the
Scriptures—a copy of which he presented to him), atid not by works.
* See Sir John Dalyell's Fragments of Scottish History, p. 11.
' Polydor. Vergilii, AngL Histor. (Bull 1570) ?• 633.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
35
of the regular clergy of the time. With some few cheer-
ing and honourable exceptions, they found the occupants
of most of the monasteries following lives of degraded
vice and licentiousness, instead of religious purity and
exemplary rectitude. When the visitors received their
commissions and instructions, they were dispatched into
different parts of the kingdom at the same time, that the
monks might have as little warning of their approach as
possible. They executed, says the historian Henry,' their
commissions with zeal and diligence, and made some
curious discoveries almost in every house, not much to the
honour of its inhabitants. Accounts, he adds, of their
proceedings were transmitted by the visitor to the vicar-
general, and they contained sufficient materials to render
the monasteries completely infamous,—for their gross,
absurd superstition, their shameful impositions, their
abandoned unnatural incontinency, etc., etc. Some of
the old abbots and friars did not attempt to conceal their
amours, because they knew it was impossible. The holy
father, the prior of Maiden Bradley, assured the visitors
that he had only married six of his sons and one of his
daughters out of the goods of the priory as yet; but that
several more of his children were now growing or grown
up, and would soon be marriageable. He produced a
dispensation from the Pope, permitting him to keep a
mistress; and he asseverated that he took none but
young maidens to be his mistresses, the handsomest that
he could procure; and when he was disposed to change,
he got them individually provided with very good lay
husbands.' " These be the men " (exclaimed Simon Fish,
* See his Ilislory of Great Britain, vol. vi. p. 434.
* See the whole details given more fully and broadly in the *' Letters re-
lating to the Supprcssaon of Monasteries," published by the Cambdcn Society,
p. 58, etc.
PART II.
Inferences.
Maiden
Bradley.
36
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF,
PART 11.
Inferences.
Scottish
Clergy.
1
1
in one of his celebrated public sermons which he delivered
at the period we speak of), " These be the men that cor-
rupt the whole generation in your realm, that catch the
pox of one woman, and bear it to another; that be burnt
with one woman and bear it to another."'
Clerical morals and manners were not in a much
healthier state on the Scottish side of the Border.
Towards the end of the fifteenth century, we have not
on record any such obscene scandal as was detailed in
a previous century in the Chronicle of Lanercost regard-
ing Priest John, who is alleged to have publicly cele-
bratcd phallic orgies among the young inhabitants of his
parish of Inverkeithing,' a town which was certainly a
place of no small note and importance in these early
days. But clerical morals were still confessedly in a sad
state about the time that syphilis first appeared in this
part of the island. The General Satyre of Scotland,
written, as I have already stated, at the commencement
of the sixteenth century, stigmatises amongst other
things—
"Sic pryH with prdl.itis, so few till preiche and pray,
Sic haunt of harlcttis with thame, ba)'the nicht and day."'
Queen Mary would seem to have regarded the health
of the high Roman church dignitary who baptized her son
James VI. with considerable suspicion, perhaps, however,
only in as much as he was one of a class with a very bad
' See his " Supplication of Be^ars," presented to Henry Vlll. in 1530.
* "Insuper hoc tempore (a.d. liSzl apud Invirchcihin in hebJoniada
paschce, sacevd»s pnrochialis Johannes, Priapi prophana parans, congrcgalis ex
villa pnellulis, cogebat eas, chorcis facti^ Libero patri circuire ; ut ille feminas
in exercitu habuit, sic istc, procacitatis causa membra humana virtuti feminaris
servantia super aascreni artificiala ante talein choream pneferebat, et ipse trij>u-
dians cum cnntantibus motu miinico onines inspecantes et verbo impudicn a<l
luxuriain incitabat, etc." See the Chn)nicon de I.ancrcost, p. 109.
* Geoige B.annatynq's Ancient Scottish Poems (1770), p. 42.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
37
character in that respect King James, in "A Premoni-
tion to all most mightie Monarchs, Kings, Free Princes,
and States of Christendome,"' thus refers to it:—"For
first, I am no apostate, as the Cardinal (Bellarmine)
would make me, not onely having ever been brought up in
that religion which I presently professe, but even my
father and grandfather on that side professing the same :
and so cannot be properly an Heratike, by there own
doctrine, since I never was of their church; and as for
the Queene my mother of worthy memorie, although she
continued in that religion wherein she was nourished, yet
she was so farre from being superstitious or Jesuited
therein, that at my Baptisme (although 1 was baptized
by a Popish Archbishop) she sent him word to forbeare
to use the spettle in my baptisme \ which was obeyed,
being indeed a filthy, and an apish trick, rather in scorne
than in imitation of Christ; and her owne very words
were, that ' She would not have a pokie priest to spet in
her child's mouth.'"
Of the dissolute lives of the Scotch, like the other
clergy of these times, we may find ample proof in some of
the contemporaneous medical works. We know, for ex-
ample, from an old medical author, something of the inner
life of the identical " pockie priest" who baptized James
VI. In 1552, Dr. Jerome Cardan, the famous Italian
physician, came from Milan to Edinburgh to visit profes-
sionally the high ecclesiastic in question—namely, John
Hamilton, Archbishop of Sl Andrews—who was suffering
under severe and recurrent attacks of asthma. He tra-
veiled with all possible expedition, and in these "good
olden times" the part of his journey from London to
Edinburgh only took twenty-three days. Cardan has left
King James's Works, p. 301.
38
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART II.
Inferences.
Cardan.
us in his works a copy of the lengthy and very minute
medical and hygienic directions, which he drew up for the
behoof of the archbishop. Besides giving him innumer*
able medical prescriptions, he lays down for him excellent
rules regarding his food, drink, exercise, sleep, etc., down
to tlie materials of which his bed and his pillows should
be composed. He adds for the Archbishop's guidance
the following rule—" De Venere. Certe non est bona,
neque utilis : ubi tamen contingat necessitas debet uti ea
inter duos somnos, secilicet post mediam noctem, et melius
est exercere earn ter in sex diebus pro exemplo ita ut
singulis duobus diebus semel, quam bis in una die, etiam
qu(^ staret per decem dies.'"
The quiet and matter-of-course style in which these
rules are laid down and published proves only too strongly
the dissolute life of some of the highest clergy in our land;
and in order to appreciate the full force of this observa-
tion, it is necessary to remember that Cardan's patient
was the living head of the Scottish Roman Catholic
church of that day—the Primate and Metropolitan of
Scotland.' Perhaps still more unequivocal evidence of
the scandalous profligacy of the Scottish clergy of these
times is to be found in their own statutes, and in the legal
documents of the country.
• Cnrdani, Philosophi ac Medici, Opera, tome ix., 135.
* Yet we find the Archt»Lshop, who left some bastard offspring, when writing
as an author, -violently and virtuously declaiming gainst "all kind oflichorie."
See fol. li, etc., of "The Catcchisme set furthe by the Most Reverend Father
in God, John Hamilton, Archbishop of St. Andrews," printed at St. Andrews,
1552. Perhaps the Archbishop held some of the other commanrlments in little
more respect than the seventh, if we may judge by one of his sayings regarding
Queen hiary, when a girl of nine or ten years of age, as reported by Sir James
Melville in his Memoirs, p. 73. There is no wonder that Sir James found it
difficult or impossible to translate the coarse saying of the Scotch Primate for
the polite ears of Montmorency the Constable of France. See Memoirs of bis
own Life, p. 21.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
In a provincial council of the Scottish clergy, held at
Edinburgh in 1549, the circumstance that there had come
very grave scandals to the church from the incontinence
of ecclesiastics (ex ctericorum incontinentia, gravissima
ecclesix scandala esse exorta) was taken into consideration,
and the edict of the Council of Basle *'De Concubinariis"
put in force. Another edict was passed by this Edinburgh
synod " exhorting" both the prelates and inferior clergy
not to keep their own illegitimate children in their com-
pany, prohibiting their promotion of them in their churches,
and forbidding the endowment of them with baronies out
of the church's goods.' But perhaps the dissolute and
depraved state of the Romish church in Scotland is more
clearly photographed in a subsequent edict, which they
passed in a large synod held at Edinburgh in 1558-9.
This edict does not "exhort" against incontinence on the
part of the priests, but it simply and shamelessly restricts,
and lays down a legal limit to, the amount of property
which they might unsacrilegiously abstract and purloin
from the pious endowments belonging to the Church (de
patrimonio Christi) for the marriage portions of the bastard
daughters of their concubines; the synod enacting that
neither prelates nor any other ecclesiastics should directly
or indirectly give with their illegitimate daughters, in
marriage to barons or other landowners, any greater
sum than one hundred pounds yearly of the Church's
patrimony.'
The legitimation of bastard children was necessary
before they could inherit or dispose of property, and
exercise other legal rights. The Privy Seal Records of
39
PART U.
Inferences.
Last
Cniholic
CounciL
* the edicts in Wilkins's Concilia Britannix, lorn, iv., pp. 47-8.
' S«c (he rorthcoming Staliita Ecciesix Scuticanx, p. 155, edited for the
BtinnfUync Clnb by Mr. Joseph Robertson; also Wilkins's Concilia, iv., 20,
40
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PAKT 11.
iNFERKNCeS.
Clerical
ba&Urds.
Scotland for the earlier years of the sixteenth century
have been preserved, and are full of entries of legitimation
of the bastard children of Scottish prelates and priests.
Lord Hailes gives us some sad information regarding the
numbers of the illegitimate children of the Scottish bishops,
abbots, and monks of these times.' Among others, he
states that David Bethune, the immediate predecessor of
Hamilton in the archbishopric of St. Andrews and primacy
of Scotland, had three bastards legitimized in one day;
and afterwards, Patrick Hepburn, Bishop of Moray, had
seven—five sons and two daughters—all acknowledged
in one day. John Lesslie, Bishop of Ross, himself the
illegitimate son of an official in the diocese of Moray,
viz., of Gavin Lesslie, parson of Kingusie, was the father
of several illegitimate children ; and it is, says the learned
author of the " Book of Bon Accord," sufficiently amusing
to find his name among those of the other members of
the chapter of Aberdeen who solemnly counselled their
ordinary to " caus the lay kirkmen within their diocie to
reforme thameselfes in all thair slanderous maner of lyving,
and to remove thair oppin concubins."*
Concubinage among the lower clergy, provided it was
not slanderously open and avowed, would almost seem to
have been overlooked and connived at by the church
dignitaries of those degenerate times.^
The remains of the old chapel of St Ninian, at Lcith,
still exist in the vicinity of Edinburgh. The spire of the
church is, even at the present day, a conspicuous object
' See his note to Ballantyne's Scottish Poems, p. 8ia
* Bon Accord, p. 377; Keith's Historical Preface, p. xv.; Aberdeen M.^-
zine, 1796. p. ^^o.
• See Prcscott's Ferdinand and Isaliella, voL il, p. 354. In Spain, indeed,
it was recoipiised and sanctioned by law, till the scandal was uprooted by the
stroni; hand of Ximencs.
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
41
above the second harbour bridge, though the chapel it-
self and its prebendary are degraded to common dwellings.
This chapel was founded by Robert Bellenden, Abbot of
Holyrood, and endowed for two chaplains. In the charter
of foundation, which is dated 1493 (four years before
syphilis broke out in Edinburgh), it is—in accordance
with a common formula in these deeds—ordained that
if "either of the aforesaid chaplains keep a lass or concu-
bine, in an open and notorious manner, he shall be de-
graded ; which seems," as the historian Maitland pertly
observes, " to imply this, that they or either of them might
keep a miss or misses provided it were not publickly
known.'
Nor was poverty on the part of a portion of the priest-
hood apparently any great obstacle to such, as well as to
less sinful indulgences. For, according to the testimony
of honest George Majoribanks (see his Annals of Scotland,
p. 5), "In the yeir of God 1533 Sir Walter Cowpur,
Chaiplaine in Edinburgh, gate a pynte of vyne, a laiffe
of 36 unce vaight, a pock of aite-meill, a pynte of aill,
a schiepe-hede, ane penny candell, and a faire woman for
ane xviii*' grote."
Very shortly before the commencement of syphilis,
the dissolute manners of the English clergy, especially of
the regulars, created such noise and commotion among
the laity, that Pope Innocent VII!. sent in 1490 (a few
years li^ore ^ actual appearance of the disease) to
Arcbblshop^ Merton, authorizing him to admonish his
abbots and priors that "by their lewd and dissolute lives
th^ bf^ight ram upon their own souls, and set a bad
example to othors." In obedtence to tots bull, the Pri-
mato tont aoionilory letM to the superiors of all con-
PART 11.
I.HFERKNces.
Charter
formula.
Papal
42
ANTIQUARIAN NOTICES OF
PART II. vents and religious houses in his province, admonishing
Inferences, and commanding them, by the authority he had received
from the Pope, to reform themselves and their subjects
from certain vices, of which they were said to be guilty.
The monitory letter that was sent on this occasion to the
Abbot of St. Alban's is published in Wilkins's Concilia,
Monitory vol iii. p. 632. If that Abbot and his monks were stained
* with all the odious vices of which the Primate openly
accuses them in this letter, they stood much in need of
reformation. Some of these vices, says Dr. Henry, were
so detestable, that they cannot so much as be named in
history. " You are infamous," writes the Archbishop to
the Abbot, " for simony, usury, and squandering away
the pK>ssessions of your monastery, besides other enormous
crimes." One of these crimes was, that the Abbot had
turned all the modest women out of the two nunneries
of Pray and Sapwell (over which he pretended to have a
jurisdiction), and filled them with prostitutes; that these
nunneries were esteemed no better than brothels, and
that he and his monks publicly frequented them as such.
His Grace seems to have been well and accurately in-
formed, for he even names some of these infamous women
and their gallants. The monks, too, were at least as pro-
fligate as their Abbot, for they also kept their concubines
both within and without the monastery.
Conciuiion. When such was the scandalous life led by some of
the clergy, we cannot wonder that, before the introduction
of syphilis, Rabelais (himself at one time a monk) should
apply to the gonorrhoeal disease the very significant term
of " rhume ecclesiastique;" or tha^ after the appearance
of syphilis, this latter and greater malady should have
spread speedily among all ranks, down from the clergy to
the laity, and from the king to the churl, and should have
become diffused by such stealthy but rapid steps over the
SYPHILIS IN SCOTLAND.
43
countries of Europe, as to have at first been mistaken for
a malady spreading itself, not by impure intercourse, but
by general epidemic infiuences. And when we advert to
the existing state of society in that age, and couple it with
such notices as we have found in the Aberdeen records,
we may surely (in despite of all that has been written to
the contrary, both in ancient and modern times) reason-
ably doubt whether the laws regulating the propagation
of syphilis in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries were in
any degree different from what we know them to be in
the nineteenth century. The Aberdeen edict shews that
three hundred and sixty odd years ^o, or in 1497, the
common mode of infection of the disease was precisely
the same as all acknowledge it to be at the present day.
PART 11.
Inferences.
Laws of
di^^usion.
A. A. C/iirt, PrhUtrs.
NOTES
ON 80UE
SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHARM-STONES,
OR CURING-STONES.
BY
.1. Y. SIMPSON. M.D., F.R.S.E,, &c.
Frvm tht I'roteedingi uj tlif AiUi'ivarian SwieHj of Scotland, Vol. IV.
PIUNTED
EDINBURGH:
BY NEILL AND COMPANY.
MDCCCLMII.
ON SOME SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHAKM-STONES,
OR CURING-STONES.
Tqbooouout all past time, credulity aud superstition have coDetantly
and strongly competed witb the art of mediciue. There U no doubt,
according to Pliny, that the magical art began in Persia, that it origi-
Dated in medicine, and that it insinuated itself first amongst mankind
under the plausible guise of promoting health.' In proof of the anti-
quity of the belief, this great Bomau encyclopoedist cites Eudoxus, Aris-
totle, and Hermippus, as averring that magical arts were used thou-
sands of years before the lime of the Trojan war.
Assuredly, in ancient times, faith in the effects of magical charms,
amulets, talismans, &c., seems to have prevailed among all those ancient
races of whom history has left any adequate account. In modern times a
belief in their efficiency and power is still extensively entertained amongst
most of the nations of Asia and Africa. In some European kingdoms, also,
06 in Turkey, Italy, and Spain, belief in them still exists to a marked
extent. In our own country, the magical practices and superstitions of
the older and darker ages persist only as forms and varieties, so to speak, of
archaeological relics,—for they remain at the present day in comimratively
a very sparse and limited degree. They are now chiefly to be found
among tbe uneducated, and in outlying districts of the kingdom. But
still, some practices, wlticb primarily sprung up in a belief in magic, are
carried on, even by the middle and higher classes of society, as diligently
us they were thousands of years ago, and without their magical origin
being dreamed of by those who follow them. Tbe coral is often yet
suspended as an ornament around the neck of the Scottish child, without
the potent and protective magical and medicinal qualities long ago
ottached to it by Bioscorides and Pliny being thought of by those who
place it there. Is not the egg, after being emptied of its edible contents,
still, in many hands, as assiduously pierced by the spoon of the cater as
if he had weighing upon bis mind the strong superstition of the ancient
Roman, that—if he omitted to perforate the empty shell—he incurred the
rink of becoming spell-bound, <fcc.? Marriages seem at the present day
' Natural Hist'^ry, Book xxz. chapters i., ii.
4 NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHARM OR CURING-STONES.
as much dreaded in the month of May as they were in the days of Ovid,
when it was a proverbial sayin<j at Borne that
" Mi-isKij inuluH Idaio nubtro valgus ait."
And, in the marriage ceremony itself, the finger-ring still holds among us
lis prominent a place as it did among the superstitious marriage rites of
the ancient pagan world. Among the endless magical and medical im»-
lierties that were formerly supposed to be possessed by human saliva, one
is almost uiiivei-sally credited by the Scottish schoolboy up to the present
hour; for few of them ever assume the temporary character of pugilists
without duly spitting into their hands ere they close their fists; as if
they retained a full reliance on the magical power of the saliva to in-
crease the strength of the impending blow—if not to avert any feeling
of malice produced by it—as was enunciated, eighteen centuries ago,
by one of the most laborious and esteemed writers of that age,' in a
division of his work which he gravely juefaces with the assertion that in
this special division he has made it his "object (as he declares) to state
no facts hut such as are established by nearly uniform testimony."
Ill a separate chapter (chap, iv.) in his 30th Book, Pliny alludes to the
prevalence of magical beliefs and superstitious practices in the ancient
Celtic provinces of France and Britain. " The Grallic provinces," says
he, "were pervaded hy tlio magical art, and that even down to a periorl
within memory ; for it was the Emperor Tiberius who putdowu the Druids
and all that tribe of wizards and physicians." We know, however, from
the ancient history of France posterior to Pliny's time, that the Druids
survived as a powerful class in that country for a long time afterwards.
Writing towards the end of the first century, Pliny goes on to remark :
—" At the present day, struck with fascination, Britannia still cultivates
this art, and that with ceremonials so august, that she might almost
seem to have been the first to communicate them to the people of
' " What wo arc Ruing to siiy," observes Pliny, " is roarvcllouB, but it may easily
bo Icstod by experiment. If a person repents of a blow piven to another, either by
liand or witli a missile, he lias nothinp to do but to spit at onco into the pulm of the
hand which has inflicted the blew, and nil fc-eling of resuntinent will bo instantly
alleviated in tbc person struck. This, too, is often verifiud in the caso of a beast of
burden, when brought on its li&unchca with blows; for, upon this remedy Im-Idr
adopted, thu uiiiiijiil will iianiediutcly step out and mend its pace. Some persons,
also, before making nn cfTort, sjiit into the hand in the munuor nliove stated, in
order to make the blow wiort heavy."—Pliny't " Xa'ural Ilitlury," xxviii. § 7.
NOTES OF SOME SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHAUM OR CURING-STONES. 5
Persia." " To sucli a tlcgree," adJs Ibis old Roman jilnlosoi)bcr, "ore
nations throughout the wliole world, totally diflerent as they are, and
iiuite unknown to one another, in accord upon this one point."'
Some supposed vestiges of a most interesting kind', of very ancient
Gallic or Celtic word-charms, have recently been brought before arch®-
ologists by the celebrated German philologist Grimm, and by Pictet
of Geneva. Marcellus, the private physician of the Roman £Di[>eror
Theodosius, was a Gaul born in A'piitaire, and hence, it is believed, was
intimately acquainted with the Gaulish or Celtic language of that pro-
vince. He left a work on quack medicines (De Afetlicamenlu Empi-
new), written probably near the end of the fourth century. This work
contains, amongst other things, a number of word-cliarnis, or superstl-
tious cure-formulas, that were, till lately, regarded—like Cato's word-euro
for fractures of the bones—as mere unmeaning gibberish. Joseph
Grimm and M. Pictet, however, think that they iiave found in these
word-charms of Marcellus, specimens of the Gaulish or Celtic language
several centuries older than any that were previously kuown to exist—
none of the earliest glosses used by Zcuss, in his famous " Grammatica
Celtica," being probably earlier Iban the eighth or ninth centuries. If
the laboors of Grimm and Pictet prove successful in this curious Held of
labour, they will add another proof to the prevalence of magical charms
among the Celtic nations of antiquity, and uiTord us additional confirma-
tion of the ancient prevalence, as described by Pliny, of a belief iu tho
magical art among the Gaelic inhobitants of France and Britain.'
^ Natural History, Book xxx. § 4. ArcLicologista are now fully owaro of " the
acconl" of the ancient inhabitants of Britain with thosu of Persia and the other
eastern brandies of tho Aryan race in many other particnlars, as iu their language,
burial customs, &c. According to some Indian observers, stone erections, like our
so-called Druidicnl circles, cromlechs, &c., oro common in tho East. Is it vain to
hopo that amid tho great and yet unsearcUcd remains of old San.scrit literature,
allusiuus may yet be found to such structures, that may throw more liglit upon their
OSes in connection with religious, sepulchral, or other services ?
2 Grimm thinks that tho formnltu of Murcellus partiiVe uiorc of the Celtic dialect
of the Irish, and cons<-quen(Iy of tho Scotdi, than of (he Welsh. As one of (ho
shortest specimens of Itlurcdlus' charm-cures, let m-- cite, from Pictet, the following,
as givou in tlie " Ulster Journal of Archiuology," v<il. iv, p. tJ(10 ;—" Puriuula 12. Ho
who shall labour under the diseaso of watery (or blood-shot) eyes, let him pluck the
herb Millefolium up by tho roots, and of it iiiuke u hoop, and look tlirough it, say
6 NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHARM OR CUR!NO>STONES.
Tliti long catalogue of the medical Buperstitions and magical practices
originally pertaining to our Celtic forefathere, was no doubt from time to
time increased and swelled out in Britain by the addition of (he analo-
goiis medical superstitions and practices of the successive Boman' and
ing three times, 'Eieieumaerioto*and let him as often more thehoop to his mouth,
and spit through the middle of it, and then plant the herb again." " 1 diride," oh-
serves Pirtet, " the formula thus : exti cunui eriosos, and translate it, ' See the form
of the girdle.'" After a long and learned disquisition on the component words
Pictet adds—" The process of cure recommended in this formula is of a character
altogether symbolical. Girdles (erit), which we shall meet with again in formula
No. 27, seem to have performed an important part in Celtic medicine. By making
the eye look through the circle formed by the plant, a girdle, as it were, was put
round it; and it is for this reason that the formula says. See tho form (or model)
of the girdle. The action of spitting afterwards through the little ring expressed
symbolically the expulsion of tho pain." The so-called Celtic word-charms in the
formulae of Marcotlus are usnally longer than the above; as, " Telunr ruoneo bregan
gTt»*o" Heilen prossaggeri nome sipolla na builet ododieni iden olitan," &c. &c.
* On this subject I elsewhere publislied, two years ago, the following remarks:—
" The medical science and medical lore of the past has become, after a succes-
lion of ages, the so-callod folk-lore and superstitious usages of times nearer our
own. Up to the end of the lost century, patients attacked with insanity were
occasionally dipped in lakes end wells, and left bound in the neighbouring church
for a night. Loch Mareo, in Ross-shire, and St Fillan's Pool, in Perthshire, were
places in which snch unfortunate patients were frequently dipped. Heron, in his
" Journey through Scotland," in the last centnry, states that it was affirmed that
(wo hundred invalids were carried annually to St Fillan's, for the cure of various
diseases, but principally of insanity. The proceedings at this famous pool were in
such cases an imitation of the old Greek and Roman worship of .£scalapias.
Patients consulting tho .£sculnpian priest were purified first of all, by bathing in
some sacred well; and then having been allowed to enter into and sleep in his temple,
the god, or rather some priest of the god, came in the darkness of tho night and
told them what treatment they were to adopt. The poor lunatics brought to St
Fillan's were, in the samo way, first purified by being bathed in his pool, and then
laid bound in the neighbouring church during the subsequent night. If they were
found loose in the morning, a full recovery was confidently looked for, but the cure
remained doubtful when they were found at morning dawn still bound. I was
lately informed by the Rot. Mr Stewart, of Killin, that in one of the last cases so
treated—and that only a few years ago—tho patient was found sane in the morning,
and nnbound: a dead relative, according to the patient's own account, having
entered the church during the night, and loosened her both from the ropes that
bound her body and the delusions that warpod her mind. It was a system of
N0TK8 ON SOME ECOTTiSH UAOIOAL CHARM OR CURING-STONES. 7
Teutonic' invaderB and conquerors of our island. A careful analysis
would yet perhaps enable the archteologist to separate some of these
classes of magical beliefs from each other; but many of them had,
perhaps, a common and long anterior origin. We know further, that in
its earlier centuries among us, the teachers of Christianity added greatly
to the number of existing medical superstitions, by maintaining the
efficacy, for example, of a visit to the cross of King Edwin of North-
umberland, for the cure of agues, &c.,—the marvellous alleged recoverie.<
worked by visiting the grave of St Nioian at Wbitehorn, or the cross
of St Mungo in the Cathedral churchyard at G-lasgow; the sovereign
virtues of the waters of wells used by various anchorets, and dedicated to
various saints throughout the country; the curative powers of holy robes,
bells, bones, relics, Ac.
Numerous forms of medical superstitions, charms, amulets, iucantu-
tions, dec., derived from the preceding cbanneb, and possibly also from
other sources, seem to have been known and practised among our fore
fathers, and for the cure of almost all varieties of human maladies,
whether of the mind or body. Our old Scottish bagiologies, witch trials,
ecclesiastical records, Ac., abound with notices of them. Nor have
some of the oldest and most marked medical superstitions of ancient
times been very long obliterated and forgotten. I know, for example,
treatment by mystery and terrorism that might hove made some sane persona
insane; and hence, perhaps, conversely, some insane persons sane. Mr Pennant tells
ns that at Llandegla, in Wake, where similar rites were performed for the care of
insanity, viz., purification in the sacred well and forced detention of tbo patient for
anight in the church, under the communion-table, the luuatics or their friends
were obliged to leave a cock in the church if he were a male, and a hen if she were
a female—an additional circumstance in proof of the ^sculapian type of the super-
stitioD. But perhaps, after all, the whole is a medical or mythological belief, older
than Greece or Romo, and which was common to the whole Aryan or Itido-European
race in Asia before they sent off, westward, over Europe, those successive waves of
population that formed the nations of the Celt and Teuton, of the Goth, and Greek,
and Latin. The cock is still occasionally sacrificed in the Higblauds fur the cure of
epilepsy and convulsions. A patient of mine fonnd one, a few years ago, deposited
in a hole in the kitchen floor; the animal having been killed and laid down at the
spot where a child had, two or three days previously, fallen down in a fit of con-
vnlsions."—See the " Medical Times and Gazette" of Dec. 8,1800, p. M9.
' See, for example, Kemble's work on the Anglo-Saxons, vol. i. p. G28, for various
Teutonic medical superstitions and cures.
8 NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHARM OR CURING-STONES.
of two localities in the Lowlan<ls, one near Biggar in Lanarkshire, the
other near Torphicheu in West Lothian, where, within the memory of
the present and past generation, living cows have been sacrihced for
curative purposes, or under the iiope of arresting the progress of the
murrain in otlier members of the flock. In both these instances the
cow was sacrificed by being buried alive. The sacrifice of other living
animals,' as of the cat, cock, mole, &c., for the cure of disease, and espe-
cially of hts, epilepsy, and insanity, continues to bo occasionally practised
in some parts of the Highlands up to the present day. And in the city
of Edinburgh itself, every physician knows the fact, that, in the chamber
of death, usually the face of the mirror is most carefully covered over,
and often a plate with salt in it is placed upon the chest of the corpse.
The Museum of the Society contains a few medicinal charms and
amulets, principally in the form of amber beads (which were held potent
in the cure of blindness), perforated stones, and old distaff whorls, whose
original use seems to have been forgotten, and new and magical pro-
perties assigned to them. But the most important medicinal relic in the
collection is the famous " Barbeck's bone," a slice or tablet of ivory,
about seven inches long, four broad, and half an inch in thickness. It
' A very intelligent patient from the North Highlands, to whom I happened lately
to speak on this subject, has written out the following instances that bare occurred
within her own knowledge:—" Twenty years or more ago, in the parish of Nigg, Koss-
shire, there was a lad of fifteen ill with epilepsy. To cure him, his friends first tried
the charm of mole's blood. A plate was laid on the lad's head; the living molo was
held over it by the tail, the head cut off, and tho blood allowed to drop into the plate.
Three moles were sacrificed one after tho other, but without effect. Next they tried the
effect of a bit of tho skull of a suicide, and sent for this treasure a distance of from
sixty to one hundred miles. This hit of the skull was scraped to dust into a cup of
water, which the lad had to swallow, not knowing the contents. This I heard from
a sister of the lad's.—There was a 'strong-minded' old woman at Strothpeffer, Ross-
shiro, whose daughter tuld me that the neighbours had como to condole with tho
mother after she hud fallen down in a lit of some kind. Tboy strongly odrisod her
to bury a living cock in the very place where she had fallen, to prevent a return of
the ailment.—A woman in Sutherluudshire told me that she knew a young man,
ill of consumption, who was made to drink his own blood after it had been drawn
from his arm. This same woman was ill with a pain in her chest, which she could
gi t nothing to relieve; so her father scut off for ' a knowing man,' who, when be
saw the girl, repe ated sume words uuder his breath, then touched the floor and her
shoulder thieo times alternately, and with alleged success."
NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHARM OR CURINO-STONEg. 9
was long in the possession of the ancient family of Barbcck in Argyle-
shire, and over the Western Highlands had the reputation of curing all
forms and degrees of insanity. It was formerly reckoned so valuable,
that a bond of L.lOO was required to be deposited for the loan of it.
But tlie main object of the present communication is, through the kind
permission of Struan Bohertson, Lady Lockhart of Lee, and others,to show
to the Society two or three of the principal curing-stones of Scotland.
Several of these curing-stones long retained their notoriety, but they
have now almost all fallen entirely into disuse, at least for the cure of
human diseases. In some districts, however, they are still employed in
the treatment of the diseases of domestic animals.
A very ancient example of the use of a " curing-stone" in this country
is detailed in what may he regarded as the first or oldest historical work
which has been left us in reference to Scotland, namely, in Adamnan's
" Life of St Columba." This biography of the founder of lona was pro-
bably written in the last years of the seventh century, Adamoan having
died in a.d. 705. He was elected to the Abbacy of lona a.d. U71), and
had there the most favourable opportunities of becoming acquainted with
all the existing traditions and records regarding St Columba. About the
year 563 of the Christian era, Columba visited Bnidc, King of the Picts,
in his royal fori on the Kess, and found the Pictish sovereign attended
by a court or council, and with Brochan as bis chief Druid or Magus.
Uroclian retained an Irish female, and consequently a countryn-orDan of
Columha's, as a slave. The 33d chapter of the second book of Adam-
nan's work is entitled, "Concerning the Illness with which the Dniid
{Magus) Brochan was visited for refusing to liberate a Female Captive,
and his Cure when he restored her to Liberty." The story told by Adam-
nan, under this head, is as follows;—
Curing-Stone of St Colnmha,
" About the same time the venerable man, from motives of humanity,
besought Brochan the Druid to liberate a certain Irish female captive, a
request which Brochan harshly and obstinately refused to grant. The
Saint then spoke to him as follows:—' Kn6w, 0 Brochan, know, that if
you refuse to set this captive free, as 1 desire you, you shall die before I
return from this province.' Having said this in presence of Bnide the
king, he departed from the royal palace and proceeded to the river Ncsa,
10 NOTBS ON SOME SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHARM OR CURING'STONBS.
from which he took u white pebble, and ahewiog it to his com)>aDioD8,
said to them* Behold this white pebble, by which God will effect the
cure of many diseases.' Having thus spoken, he added, 'Brochan is
punished grievously at this moment, for an angel sent from heaven,
striking him severely, has broken in pieces the glass cup which he held
in his hands, and from which he was in the act of drinking, and he him-
self is left half dead. Let us await here, for a short time, two of the
king's messengers, who have been sent afterus in haste, to request us to
return quickly and relieve the dying Brochan, who, now that he is thus
terribly punished, consents to set his captive free.'
" While the saint was yet speaking, behold, there arrived, as he had
predicted, two horsemen, who were sent by the king, and who related all
that had occurred, according to the prediction of the saint—the breaking
of the drinking goblet, the punishment of the Druid, and his willingness
to set his captive at liberty. They then added :—' The king and his
councillors have sent us to you to request that you would cure his foster
father, Brochan, who lies in a dying state.'
" Having heard these words of the messengers. Saint Columba sent two
of his companions to the king, with the pebble which he had blessed, and
said to them; ' If Brochan shall first promise to free his captive, immerse
thb little stone in water and let him drink from it, but if he refuse to
liberate her, he will that instant die.'
" The two persons sent by the saint proceeded to the palace and an-
nouDced the words of the holy man to the king and to Brochan, an
announcement which filled them with such fear, that he immediately
liberated the captive and delivered her to the saint's messengers."
The stone was then immersed in water, and in a wonderful manner,
and contrary to the laws of nature, it floated on the water like a nut or
an apple, nor could it be submerged. Brochan drank from the stone as
it floated on the water, and instantly recovered his perfect health and
soundness of body.
" This little pebble (adds Adamnan) was afterwards preserved among
the treasures of the king, retained its miraculous property of floating in
water, and through the mercy of God effected the cure of sundry diseases.
And what is very wonderful, when it was sought for by those sick persons
whose term of life had arrived, it could not be found. An instance of
this occurred the very day king Brude died, when the stone, though
NOTKS ON' SUMR SCOTTISH MAOICAL CHAKM OR CURINO-STONES. 11
sdUfjlit for with not he iuuud in the [ilace wliere it
had heen previyiisly left."'
In the Highlands of Si-otlaml there have been transmitted down, for
many generations, various curing or charm-stones, used in the same
manner iu< that ot Columhn, nod reckoned raj^iahle, like his, of imparting
to the fw'er in which (h-y ivtrt imvierticd' wondrous medicinal powers.
One of the most celebrated of these ouring-stones belongs to Struan Bo-
hertson, the chief of the Cian Donaaclite. I am indebted to the kind-
nees of Mrs Robertson, for the following notes regarding the curing-
stone of which her family are the hereditary proprietors. Its local name is
Clnch-na-Drdhirh, or Stone of the Slainhiril.
'' This stone has been in possession of thu Chiefs of Clan Donnarhaidh
sinco i:J15.
" It is said to have been aci[uii-ed
in this wise.
"The (then) chief, journeying
with his clan to join Brace's army
beforeBannockbum,observed,on his
standard being lifted one morning, a
glittering Bomething in u clod of
earth banging to tlie flugstaff. It
was this stone. He showed it to
his followers, and told them be felt
sure its brilliant lights were a good
omen and foretold a victory—and
victory was won on the hard fought Fig. 1, Clach-na-Bratach.
field of Bannockburn.
" From this time, whenever the clan was ' out,' the Clach-na-Bratach
* Iq thi^ tint vhuptiT of AdumoHu'i) w<jrk, the miruclo m again idiuded to its f>>t-
lows" Ho tiMik a w]iit» stnne (lefvlcm randulum) fMm tho nvcr's bed, and bleated
jt fur the euro of Cortain diseases ; und tlmt stone, amtrury to the law of nature, floats
like an up^ile wlion placed in the water."
2 For other instancLa of wult-ni rendered medirinnl by boing brought in nmtact
with saint's bones—^uch as St Marnan's In ad, with St Conval's chariot, ttr. iir.,
Sol) Dalyi-U's " Supprstitions of Ri-otland," p. 151, Ac. Sibbald's " Memoirs of tlie
Edinburgh Collego nf PhyaiciunH," p. 89.
12 NOTES ON SOBIE SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHARM OR CURING-STONES.
accompanied it, carried on the person of tbe chief, and its varying hues
were consulted by him as to tbe fate of battle. On tbe eve of Sberiff-
muir (13tb November 1715), of sad memory, on Struan consulting tbe
stone 08 to tbe fate of tbe morrow, the large interna) flaw was first ob-
served. The Stuarts were lost—and Clan Donnacbaidfa has been declin-
ing in influence ever since.
" Tbe virtues of the Clach-na-Bratach are not altogether of a martial
nature, for it cures all manner of diseases in cattle and horses, and for-
merly in human beings also, if they drinic the water in wliicb this charmed
stone h»5 been thrice dipped by the hands of Stnian."
The Clach-na-Bratach is a transparent, globular mass of rock crystal,
of tbe size of a small apple. (See accompanying woodcut, fig. 1.) Its
surface has been artificially polished. Several specimens of round rock-
crystal, of tbe same description and size, and similarly polished, have
been found deposited in ancient sepulchres, and were formerly used also
in the decoration of shrines and sceptres.
Another well-known example of the Highland curing-stone is tbe
Clach Dvarg, or Stone of Ardooirloch.
This stone is a clear rock-crystal ball of a similar character, but some-
what smaller than the Clach-na-Bratach, and placed in a setting (see
fig. 2) of four silver bands or slips. The following account of tbe Ard-
voirloch curing-stone is from tbe pen of one of the present memliers of
that ancient family:—
" It has been in tbe possession of our family from time immenwrial,
but there is no writing about it in any of tbe charters, nor even a tra-
dition as to when and how it became possessed of it. It is supposed to
have been brought from tbe Eaet, which supjiosition is corroborated by
the fact of the silver setting being recognised as of Eastern workmanship.
Its healing powers b^ve always been held in great repute in our own
neighbourhood, particularly in diseases of cattle. I have even known
persons come for the water into which it has been dipped from a distance
of forty miles. It is also believed to have other properties which you
know of.
" These superstitions would have existed up to the present day, had
[ not myself put a stop to them; but six years ago, I took an oppor-
tunity to do away with them, by depositing the stouc with some of the
NOTK8 OS WorrJMl magical r-IIAItM oh CUniN<{-ST«»NKS. 1't
family jiliitu in a clu'ht wliii h I Ki-iit tu tin' liaiik. 'lliub, wlieii applnd
l<» for it (wliicli I liuvc liuen siiiru tlieai, I haj tln' oM'Usb of not
liuviii;; it in lay pusM■^siorl; iiu<l wln-n
tliti LairJ D'turiis fnau Inrlia, it l^ liopi-d M 1
the hupcrfitilioii may lie forgotten, ainl
''the htyne" pii'.si'ivyj only as u Very
piccious lii.irl"iuii. ■■
"I luay nji-utioii that there were various
forms to he ohsl■r^e<l hy those who wished
to IteiicGt hy its liealiiig powers. The per-
sun who cdine for it to Anlvolrloeli was
ohiiged to draw tliu Water himself, and I
into the house some >< ssel into
this stone to he dipjied. A
hottle was tilled and carried away; and
in its eoiive_\anee home, if earried into s vk
any hou.se hy the wiij, lite %irtue was sup- ifiV
posed t«» leave the water; it was therefore
iieeesMiiy, if a vi.sit Lad to lie [iui<l, that j.-- . o
the bottle sliould he left out-ide." " ' ' " '
(Ither ehurm-stiiiiPs eiijojed, up to the pn-seiit eenlury, no small uieJi-
<-al reputation among th<' inhaliitants ol the Highlands. In soiiie dis-
tricts, every uueient family of note appeare to have uiFeeted the posses-
sion of a enring-stouo. The t'amplndls of t-rlenlyon have luiig been flie
iiereditury proprietors of u charm-stone eimilar to those that I have
already mentioned. It fonsists of a rnuudisli or ovoidul hall, iip2»areiitlj
of roek-erystal, uhoiit an im-h and a-lmlt in diuineter, and proti'iteil liy a
silver mounting. T<i maki- the water in which it was dijiped suftieiently
mcdieiual and cfteetivi', tlie stone, during the {U'ocess, reijuirud to be
htdd in the hand of the Laird. The L.urds of Auchmeddan jxi&iessed
another of these eelehrated northern amulets. The Amdmieddan Stone
is a hull of hlaelc-eolouri'd ilint, mounted with four slri2>s of silver. A
legend engravi d oii this silver wtling—in letters jirobaldy of the last cen-
tury—states that this " Amulet or eliarm belonged to the family ot Laird
of AuchinediUu from the year llT'l." In the midiile <d" the lust century,
this aiuulet passed as a family relic to the Frosers of Findiaek, when
an intermarriage with tlie Lairds occurn-d.
14 MOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH HAOICAL CHARM OB OURINO-STONES.
Curing-stones seem to have formerly been by no means rare in this
country, to tLe south also of the Highland Borders. In a letter written
by the distinguished Welsh arcbseologist Edward Llwyd, and dated Lin-
lithgow, December 17,1699, he states that betwixt Wales and the High-
lands he had seen at least fifty difi'erent forms of the party-coloured glass
bead or amulet known under the name of Adder-beads or Snake-stones.'
In Scotland he found various materials used as healing amulets, par-
ticularly some pebbles of remarkable shape and colour, and hollow balls
and rings of coloured glass. " They have also," be says, " the Ombrioe
pellucida, which are crystal balls or hemispheres, or depressed ovals,
in great esteem for curing of cattle; and some on May-day put them
into a tub of water, and besprinkle all their cattle with that water, to
prevent being elf-struck, bewitched, &c."
In the Lowlands, the curing-stone of greatest celebrity, and the one
which has longest retained its repute, is
The Lee Penny.
In the present century, this ancient medical charm-stone has ac-
quired a world-wide reputation as*tbe original of the "Talisman" of
Sir Walter Scott, though latterly its therapeutic reputation has greatly
declined, and almost entirely ceased.' The enchanted stone has long
been in the possession of the knightly family of the Lockharts of Lee,
in Lanarkshire. According to a mythical trailitioo, it was, in the four-
teenth century, brought by Sir Simon Lockliart from the Holy Land,
where it had been used as a medical amulet, for the arrestment of h«-
morrbage, fever, ikc. It is a small, dark-red stone, of a somewhat trian-
gular or heart-shape, as represented in the adjoining woodcut (fig. 3).
It is set in the reverse of a groat of Edward IV., of the London Mint.'
When the Lee Penny was used for healing purposes, a vessel was
' See " PhilotiopLical TransactioDS," for tLo year 1718, p. 98. For iostuncos of
curing-etoDes in tbo Hebrides, see " Martin's Western Isles," p. 134,18C, &u.
' I was lately told by the farmer at Nemphlor, in the neighbourhood of Lee, that
in his younger days no byre was considered safe which had not a bottle of water
from the Lee Penny suspended from its rafters. Even this remnant of superstition
Roems to have died out during the present generation.
" 1 state this on the high numismatic authority of my friend. Mr Sim. Sir Waiter
Scott describes the coin as a groat of Edward I.
MOTl» ON 80H£ SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHARM OR CURING-STONES. 15
filled with water, the etoae was drawn once round the vessel, and then
dipped three times in the water. In his '' Account of the Penny in the
Lee," written in 1702, Hunter states, that " it being taken and put
into the end of a cloven stick, and washen in a tub full of water, and
given to cattell to drink, infallibly cures almost all manner of deseases.
The people," he adds, " come from all airts of the kingdom with deseased
beasts."
One or two points in its history prove the faith that was placed in the
healing powers of the Lee Fenny in human maladies of the most formid-
able type. About the beginning of last century, Lady Baird of Saugh-
touhall was attacked with the supposed symptoms of hydrophobia. But
on drinking of, and bathing in, the water in which the Lee Penny bad
been dipped, the symptoms disappeared; and the Knight and Lady
of Lee were for many days sumptuously entertained by the grateful
patient. In one of the epidemics of plague which attacked Newcastle in
the reign of Charles I., the inhabitants of that town obtained the loan of
the Lee Penny by granting a bond of L.6000 for its safe return. Such,
it is averred, was their belief in its virtues, and the good that it effected,
that they offered to forfeit the money, and keep the charm-stone.
About the middle of the seventeenth century, the Keformed Protestant
Church of Scotland zealously endeavoured, as the English Church under
King Edgar had long before done, to "extinguish every heathenism,
and forbid well-worshippings, and necromancies, and di^inatiooB, and
enchantments, and man-worshippings, and the vain practices which are
The Lee Penny.
Fig. a.
16 NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH MAGICAL CHARM OR CURINO-STONES.
carried on with various spells, and with ciders, and also with other trees,
and with stones, &c."' They left, however, other practices, equolly
superstitious, quite untouched. Thus, while they threatened " the
seventh son of a woman" with the " paine of Kirk censure," for " cure-
ing the cruelles (scrofulous tumours and ulcers),"* by touching them, they
still allowed the reigning king this power (Charles II. alone " touched "
92,000 such patients);* and the English Church sanctioned a liturgy
to be used on these superstitious occasions. Again, the Synod of the
Presbyterian Church of G-lasgow examined into the alleged curative gifts
of the Lee Penny; but, finding that it was employed "wtout using
onie words such as charmers and sorcerers use in their unlawfull prac-
tisesB; and considering that in nature there are mony things seen to
work strange effects, qrof no human witt can give a reason, it having
pleasit God to give to stones and herbes special virtues for the healing
of mony infirmities in mau and beast, advises the brethern to surcease
tbeir process, as qrin tbey perceive no ground of offence: And admonishes
the said Laird of Lee, in the usoiog of the said stone to tak heed that it
be used hereafter wt the least scandal that possihiie may be."*
* Kemble's "Auglo-SaxoDs," vol. i. p. 627,
i See a cose of this prohibitioo in tho " Ecclesioetieai Rocoide of the Presbytury of
St Andrews," for September 1648. " It is manifest by experience," eays Upton,
" that the sovenlh male child by just order, never a girlo or wench being bomo
betweeno, doth hciiU only with touching, by a natural gift, the king's evil; which
is a speciall gift of God, given to kings and queens, as daily experience doth wit-
ncsae." See Upton's Notable Things (1C31), p. 28. Charles I. when he visited
Scotland in 1633, in Holyrood Chapel, on St John's day, " beallit 100 persons of the
cmcUcs, or kingis eivell, youg and olde."—DalyeW* SupertlUimt, p. 62.
3 See the " Charisma Basilicon " (1C84) of John Browne, "Chirorgion to His
Majesty," for a full and cLanning account of the whole proceas and ceremonios of
the rnyal " touch," the prayers nsud on the occasion, and duo proofs of the alleged
wondxons olTccta of this " sanative gift, which hath (says Dr Browne) for above 640
years been confirmed and continued in our English Princely lino, wherein is not so
much of their Majesty shovm as of their Divinity," and which is only doubted by
" 111 afi'cctcd men and Dissenters."
* Sec tho Gentleman's Magazine for Dec< nibrr 1787.
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