Category: heritage

Rediscovering St. Kentigerna: The Hidden History of Saraig and Loch Duich

The rediscovery of St. Kentigerna’s burial site and the nearby connections to St. Fillan would offer a unique opportunity to reconnect Loch Duich with its rich spiritual heritage. These saints were more than historical figures—they embodied the early Christian spirit that shaped the Highlands. If you have any leads, memories, or photographs that could aid in locating the graveyard, please share them. Together, we may rediscover and preserve an essential chapter of Scotland’s past, honouring the legacy that still resonates along the northern and southern shores of Loch Duich.

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Wife in Fife

It was in Fife that the first collection of Scottish proverbs was made by David Ferguson, minister of Dunfermline. Ferguson's collection, though published only in 1644, nearly fifty years after his death, had been made during his life in the latter half of the sixteenth century. This is a collection of sometimes odd and often amusing sayings.

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Campbeltown Cross

Campbeltown Cross has a special place in the hearts of the local community, a respect observed regularly by its circumnavigation prior to all weddings and funerals.

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women in beds

It is the end of the world. At least as far as Google Maps is concerned. It is literally the end of the road, however. You will need to park your car somewhere near then old red phone box and cross the old stone bridge across the Berriedale Water to access the Braemore Estate. A short walk along the river takes you to a few farm buildings until to your right the pathway to the Braemore burial ground emerges. It is small and not in use any longer, but beautifully situated in this rural setting. As is so often the case – a beautiful and remote place in Scotland has an interesting and cruel history. This is a tale of women taken from bed, taken to beds, staying in them and refusing to leave them.

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The Strathmore Sapper

Most of the headstones are indecipherable now. Time has taken its toll amongst the engravings. But there is one war grave among the withered stones, to the memory of John William Campbell of the Royal Engineers, who died January 3rd, 1944, at the age of 27. A man mourned by his family and friends in this remote and scarcely populated part of the country close to the river Thurso.

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sailors, popes and suffragettes

This place is so absolutely not what it looks like and bears far more depth, surprises and secrets than most of the graveyards I have been to in Scotland. And believe me, I have been to a lot.

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a lost generation

Sutherland, who had some presentiment that he would never return, stretched himself on the ground in the old churchyard of Berriedale before setting out, and caused two stones to be fixed, the one at his head and the other at his feet, which were to be seen for ages after but are not to be distinguished any more.

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the lion’s wife

Balmerino Abbey was founded by a woman who is believed to be buried here: Queen Ermengarde de Beaumont, not a “normal” woman by any standards. The Abbey is in a bad state and there is not much left of its original power and impressive architecture, nothing but the faint memory of people and their stories in a long gone past. Ermengarde was born in 1170 and died in her early sixties, a long life in the 12th century. She was married to King William I of Scotland at the age of 16. The marriage took place in England, Henry II was overlord of Scotland at the time. Her husband had been a notorious womaniser before his marriage but was said to have been faithful to his extraordinary woman and wife ever since the marriage vows. Her husband founded an Abbey in Arbroath where about 14 years later he was laid to rest. Ermengarde, who survived her husband by 20 years, was not buried next to him, but here, in her Abbey, in Balmerino.

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the dangers of the deep

Balmerino Cemetery Oh father mother and brother dear Weep not for us though sleeping here For in one time we think to rise And strive to gain the glorious prize. Fishermen, sailors, merchants and workers in the fish industry – the people of Fife have always had a special relationship to the sea. Not surprising... Continue Reading →

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