Quite apart from the throbbing life of Strathpeffer lies Kinettas graveyard, an old burial ground on the fringe of town. There must have been a church here at one time, but no traces remain. It was probably one of the Culdee order, an old Celtic order that slowly disappeared as orders from the continent were introduced into Scotland. But there is no documentation to prove that theory to be correct.
The Gaelic Chapel – an ambiguous gesture
It is an impressive ruin, a reminder of Cromarty's past and the people that lived in it. There are others in Scotland, one in Glasgow and one in Aberdeen, all built for the Gaelic speaking community that had arrived in these places after being cleared out of their Highland homes. They were Gaelic speakers and found themselves in places where Gaelic wasn't spoken. The Gaelic Chapel was a kind gesture to the Gaelic speaking Highlanders who had come to Cromarty. It was financed by exploiting people and nature in the colonies. However, it did not last long and is now a ruin.
Funny Scottish Epitaphs – JGW 1693
He had strong judgment, quick imagination and retentive Memory. He possessed the love and respect of all who knew him. The he sullied it al.He died of drink. Written in stone in Staplegordon. Raymond Lamont-Brown: Scottish Epitaphs. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1990
tree of life
A church, a graveyard, a hotel and several holiday cottages, that is, according to Wikipedia, the extent of Kirkton of Glenisla in Angus. The above-mentioned graveyard is a beautiful one, with old stones and serene views. There are many trees within the graveyard and that has a reason, in Kirkton of Glenisla, trees are planted... Continue Reading →
no graves are left in Kilbride on Skye
Kilbride on the Isle of Skye is now not more than a few scattered houses, sheep and a working quarry in Strath Swordale but it once was a place of worship, magic and ritual. And it was very much a place for women or at least a place where women left their mark. the abess's... Continue Reading →
Funny Scottish Epitaph: the auntie from Crail, Fife
Here lies my good and gracious Auntie, Wham Death has packed in his portmanty, Threescore and ten years did God gift her, And here she lies, wha de'il daurs lift her? Raymond Lamont-Brown: Scottish Epitaphs. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1990
dogs at night, second sight
When a Gael speaks about the concept of the "second sight", he speaks of an dà shealladh, which really means two sights rather than second sight and this slight linguistic difference applies to the concept as well. The person who has it, has an additional view as strong and as natural as the other one.... Continue Reading →
where the devil lost a soul
This is a story of the devil hunting a soul and losing it to the sacred ground of Birnie Kirkyard. This is an ancient place, the church itself is one of the oldest in Scotland. Christians have worshipped here since the 12th century and the Celts centuries earlier. Birnie was the cathedral to the Bishop... Continue Reading →
silver darlings
The Banff and Buckie districts were legendary for herring fishing, once a huge source of income in Scotland. In any case, nowhere was as much herring fished as in Scotland and Banff was the most successful of all the herring-fishing regions. At the beginning of the 20th century, when countless fishing boats caught the... Continue Reading →
bleedy pits
It was at the beginning of the last millennium, the Danes were still threatening the Scottish coast, and the clanchiefs were busy fighting off invaders after invaders. In 1004, the Danes invaded Banffshire and were received with horror as well as courage by the locals. There were not many places along the coast where a... Continue Reading →
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