OS1/13/38/34

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[Page] 34

The parish likewise contains two crosses of remote antiquity. One of these is situated a little
to the westward of the town, among the woods, and is usually Called by the local name of Mugdrum
Cross. The term "Mugdrum" is obviously a corruption of Magridin, the saint in whose honour it may
have been erected, and to whom the lands of Mugdrum were dedicated. It Consists of one large
stone, as the representation here shows, placed upright in Another and though the transept is now
Completely broken off, and all the upper portion obliterated, so that the shaft only remains, there
can be no doubt, from the appearance of the stone itself, as well as from its resemblance to the monuments
of similar date and character, that a cruciform portion at one time surmounted what now exists +++
It is Curious that this beautiful and very remarkable monument has escaped the notice of Sibbald
and the other Fifeshire antiquaries. Nothing is Known of its history. A group of five similar
ones exists at Meigle, a person of more than apocryphal existence, but who is said to have lived about
the year 800. Four others of similar aspect are found at Aberlemno, which together with one
at Pitmuis and another at Moneekie, are said to commemorate the defeat of the Danes and
slaughter of Camus, their Chief in the eighth Century. If this is the purpose of the cross under
Consideration - to commemorate a similar defeat at Luncarty, about the Close of the tenth Century,
certainly no site could be more appropriate for it than the immediate vicinity of the
family mansion, where it now stands, of the direct lineal descendants of the patriotic Hay
and his stalwart sons who turned the tide of battle, and obtained in reward the hawks flight
being the property of Leys, which is still in their possession." &c &c
New: Stat: Acct: [Statistical Account] Page 68.

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