OS1/7/2/85

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 85
Parish of Canisbay -- County of Caithness

Site of John O'Groats House
[Continued from page 84]
When the race of Groat had increased to the amount of eight different branches,
the amity which had hitherto characterized them was unfortunately interrupted
One night, in the course of some festivity, a quarrel arose as to who had the best
right to sit at the head of the table next the door. High words ensued, and the ruin
of the whole family, by their injudicious dissension,seemed at hand. In this
emergency, one of them named John, rose, and having stilled their wrath by
soft language, assured them that at their next meeting he would settle the point
at issue to the satisfaction of all. Accordingly, he erected upon the extreme point
of their territory an octagonal building, having a door and window at every side.
and furnished with a table of exactly the same shape and when the next family
festival was held, he desired each of his Kin to enter at his own door, and take
the Corresponding seat at the table. The perfect equality of this arrangement
satisfied all, and the former good humour of the fraternity was restored.
'Extd [Extracted] from Fullerton's Imperial Gazetteer'