OS1/3/12/27

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[Page] 27

The NewStat. Acct. [Statistical Account] in speaking of Cuff Hill has the following. "But if we view this hill as a
"seat of Druidism, we have a dawning of light. Dr. Jamieson is of opinion that Druidism was not
"extinct in Scotland in the age of Columba, 563-597, and there is reason for believing that it was restored
"by the Saxons, after it had been abolished by the Roman emperors. If so, it must have been the religion of this part
"of the country, a short time previous to the age of St. Inan. Holding this hill as a seat of Druidism, we have
"a corroborative testimony in the etymology of the name. It is called Cuff Hill. Now we learn from Bede,
"that the chief priest of the Druids was called Coifi, Cuifi, or Cuivi. Either of these names can be easily
"corrupted into Cuffi or Cuff, and thus the hill may have received its appellation from being the
"seat of the Druidical worship. Besides, the word Cuffoeth, in the ancient British language, signifies the
"Holy Place, "Cor Kyveoth," which is pronounced Cuffoeth, is the name of Stonehinge in that language. This
"opinion is supported by that of Dr. Macpherson, in his Critical Dissertations, who thinks Coifi was the
"common title of every Druidical superintendant of spiritual affairs. It is now stated as a plausible
"guess at the origin of the name of the hill. There are other places of similar name, and which
"probably had the same origin. Thus, in the acts Dominorum Consilii, under date 6th March
"1491, there is a case, where Gilbert Kennedy of the Coiff is defender, and Fergus Kennedy of
"Cardonald is pursuer; and, in Pitcairn's Trials, Thomas Kennedy of Coiff, is one of a long list
"of that name, dilated of a cruel slaughter in 1528. These places are in different parts of the
"country, and are noticed only as tracing the corruption of Coiffi, which is not so marked
"as the substitution of Tenant for St. Inan."

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