OS1/7/7/69
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SYSA | Sysa (Supposed) Pictish House | James Smith, Esq. Olrig House. Mr John Mowatt. Castletown. Calder's History of Caithness. |
012 | This name applies to a very large mound which is supposed to be artificial; and one of those very large "Pictish Houses". It has never been opened, and in consequence nothing can be said as regards its interior; but it is generally believed by the superstitious to be the dwelling of Fairies &c. &c. in fact there are some of the people in the neighbourhood (So I am informed,) who would not pass it after darK for anything, so great is their terror of its occupants. - This mound resembles the "Bass" at Inverurie, and several other mounds along the route from Aberdeen to Huntly, which were supposed to have been beacon hills; and from which justice was administered to the vulgar crowd in former days, & I am of opinion that this mound had similar origin, as the name would probably be a corruption of the Scotch word "Sise" Doom; judgement. see Jamiesons Dictionary of the Scottish Language. Calder in his History of Caithness, pages 46. 47. & 48. mentions this hillocK in connection with some local legends of Caithness, in connection with an extraordinary affair which happened on the day on which the battle of Clontarf was fought in Ireland. Calder in his History of Caithness says, when speaKing of the affair which "Torfaeus" has described in connection with the battle of Clontarf that, "The scene of this extraordinary legend is supposed to be a Knoll or [Continued on page 70] |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 69County of Caithness -- Parish of Olrig
Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Moira L- Moderator, Nina Clarke
Location information for this page.
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