OS1/13/90/27

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
MONASTERY (Site of) [Scotlandwell] Monastery (site of)
Monastery (site of)
Monastery (site of)
Monastery (site of)
Revd. Dr. [Reverend Doctor] McKelvie
Revd. [Reverend] Mr Steele
Mr Baird
Mr Arnott Portmoak
023 [situation] 7/8 Mile S.W. [South West] of Scotlandwell.
"The Monastery of Portmoak stood on the east bank of Loch Leven, a little north of the river which rises out of that Lake. It was founded by Rogash, King of the Picts, derived its name from St. Moak, and was consecrated to the Holy Virgin. It originally belonged to a sort of Monks called by the Scots & Britons Culdees whose convents origianlly elected the Bishops in the several places where Bishops were established. It had considerable possessions. Kirkness was given to it in the reign of David I by Mackbeth son of Finlach, and was afterwards the reidence of the Prior. It was united to St. Leonards College by John [--] prior of Portmoak & superior of St. Andrews the 15th of Oct. 1576." Old Stat Acct [Old Statistical Account]
It is now entirely removed, only a slight hollow marks its site The stones were taken to build the present Parish Church at Portmoak.
[Note] See page 29 for further information.

Continued entries/extra info

27 Plan 23A Portmoak Parish

[Quotations - Monastery (site of)] " The Monastery of Loch Leven, now Portmoak, so named as may be conjectured from St. Moak, the first Abbot, signifying a Mansion or dwelling in the ancient language, as ye would say, the dwelling of Moak, Nothing remains of this Monastery, save a Parish Church, which answereth to the Presbytery of Kirkcaldy" Sibbald's Fife & Kinross.

"The ancient parish church stood A Portmoak, but the modern one is situated in the vicinity of Scotlandwell" Full [Fullarton's] Gazetteer.

"At Portmoak, on the eastern margin of Loch Leven, and the northern efflux of the River Leven, there was founded during the ninth century, by [Ungus], the Pictish King, a religious house. Here the Culdees, under the usual rule of their Abbot, performed their accustomed functions, for many a savage reign. Spotiswoode, and Keith, erroneously place the Monastery of Portmoak on the St. Servans Isle; so as to confound it with the Priory of Loch Leven." Chalmers Caledonia Vol. 1 page 437.

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