OS1/13/1/3
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISLE OF MAY | Isle of May Isle of May Island of May Island of May Island of May or Isle of May The May or Isle of May Isle of May Isle of May Isle of May Island of May |
Old Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] vol 21 Index Old Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] vol 3. p. 84 Old Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] vol 4 p375 Old Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] vol 9 p 449 Stat. Acct of Fifesh. [Statistical Account of Fifeshire] Fullartons Gazeteer Johnstons Co. [County] Map Sibbalds Hist. [History] of Fife Butlers Lives of the Saints Rev. [Reverend] William Merson Crail |
028 | [Situation] - About 7½ Miles S. by E. [South by East] from Fife Ness A small Island in the mouth of the Frith of Forth, lying 6 miles South from the burgh of Crail and about the Same distance from Anstruther-Wester. The shores are precipitous, but the surface is upon the whole flat: hence perhaps the name May or Magh, which in Celtic signifies 'a Plain'. The western extremity which is the broadest presents cliffs of about 160 feet in elevation, with a tendency towards the Columnar structure. The eastern extremity subsides into a long low ridge or reef. Kittiwakes, Auks, Guillemots, terns, titlarks, cormorants, and gannets are the species of birds commonly seen upon it. It has a well of fine water and a small lake And Affords excellent sheep pasture. There are upon it the ruins of a priory* which formerly belonged to the Abbey of Pittenweem; And of a chapel which was dedicated to St Adrian,who was killed by the Danes in 870 And buried here. The Saints Shrine was formerly much resorted to in cases of barrenness. Alexander Cummingham of Barns obtained a Charter from Charles I of this island with liberty to build a lighthouse for which a tax was imposed on all ships passing up the Forth. He erected a tower 40 feet high on the top of which.... |
Continued entries/extra info
[page] 3Parish of (Extra - Parochial)
*No ruins here now. See notes in [pen] - at the end of this book
Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
DANIALSAN, Nora Edwards, MaxInSpain
Location information for this page.
Linked mapsheets.
