OS1/14/11/72

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
Tower Continued [continued from page 71]
Crucifixion also in relief. Between the mouldings on the sides, and about half the height of the sides below the arch, are two figures, apparently monks, leaning on staves, and wrapped in closed cloaks with hoods. The introduction of two monks into the crucifixion is an anachronism similar to what may be found in the paintings of some of the first masters. The whole tower is built of large stones, not one of which is yet blasted, cut to the circle, but not squared at top or bottom, nor laid in regular courses, but running round the building in sloping courses, which rises above each other like a screw, forming one spiral course from top to bottom. Towers of this description frequently occur in Ireland. In Scotland there are but 2 such towers, one at Brechin and another at Abernethy, in Perthshire. We made a pilgrimage to the Abernethy Tower. Thomas Simpson, the beadle of Abernethy, informed us, readily that it was built by the Picts 1300 years ago, and that a gentleman had read the whole account of it out of a book to his daughter.
The Rev. Dr. [Reverend Doctor] Small of Edenshead, Abernethy, who has written a book on "Roman Antiquities" states the tradition, regarding the Tower of Abernethy, to be, that it was erected as a burying place for "the Kings of the Picts", and to the Dr. [Doctor] "it is as clear as sunbeam, that the Pictish race of Kings lie all buried within it." In confirmation of this hypothesis, the Rev Dr. [Reverend Doctor] writes, that on the 10th May 1820, the interior of the tower was dug into, when, about 4 feet from the surface, the sexton found, in presence of the gentlemen assembled plenty of human bones, and the fragments of a light green urn, with a row of carving round the bottom of the neck."
History of Brechin
By David D. Black, the present Town Clerk

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[Page] 72

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Alison James- Moderator, Caspell

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