OS1/14/16/56
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHAPEL OF ST SKAE (Site of) | Comb of St Skay (Given to rock) Comb of St Skay (Given to rock) Comb of St Skay (Given to rock) St. Skeoch or St. Skay St. Skeoch St. Skeoch (commonly spelt St. Skea St. Skea St. Skae St. Skea or Skay St. Skae |
Estate Map of Usan Estate Map of Dunninald Mr. Keith of Usan New Statistical Account Memorials of Angus & Mearns Mr. Arkley Factor of Dunninald Police Notice on Burial Ground Revd [Reverend] Mr. Mitchell Mr. Webster, Tide Surveyor Ecclesiastical Map of Scotland 13: Century |
035 | "St Skeoch, or St. Skay as it is usually pronounced, appears to have received its name from some of the northern saints. A very picturesque spot on the Coast is usually called the Chapel of St Skay, but no ruins remain to mark the existence of any former edifice. A small burying place is preserved around the spot, which is occasionally used for interments: & the site of the Manse (?) is still pointed out in an adjoining field. New Statl [Statistical] Account "The burial ground of St. Skeoch is romantically situated upon a cliff by the sea-shore to the south-west of Usan, and had doubtless originated in being the abode of a hermit or recluse of that name though nothing is now known of his history. The site is thus described by a talented local poet - "St Skea's grey rock stands frowning o'er the troubled deep: A structure formed by nature's hand, A bridge with wave-worn arches plann'd Whose echoing depth the surges spann'd" &c.&c. "In Roman times Sk Skeoch was the chapel of the Dunninald district of the Parish and the tithes belonged to the Priory of Rostinoth; but it appeared to have been expressed as a place of worship, either at or soon after the Reformation, for in 1576 it is said that Sanct Skaa, or Dunnynaud nedis nae reidare - It is still used as a place of burial, & contains some neat Monuments, among which are those to the memory of the late P. Arkley of Duninald & Dr. J. Brewster who was minister of the Parish from the year 1804" &c. &c. Memorials of Angus & Mearns. The site of the Chapel is generally understood by the personal authorities quoted to have stood in the burying ground at the spot where the larger vault or tomb stands. The mode of spelling the name Skeock or Skay is generally Skea now as stated by Mr. Arkley, & Skay is according to sound. |
| ROCK OF ST SKAE | Rock of St. Skay | Mr. Keith of Usan Mr. Arkley Factor of Dunninald Revd [Reverend] Mr. Mitchell Mr. Webster Tide Surveyor |
035 | The Rock of St Skea or St Skay called "Comb of St Skay" on the Estate Maps is similar in appearance to an elephant's trunk. At its extreme point there is an arch through it at the bottom about 20 ft. [feet] high. It is a most remarkable rock 60 ft [feet] high or thereabouts & falls perpendicularly on each side while the top of it at one point is not more than a couple of feet wide which must be carefully walked on. Throughout the Parish & up & down the Coast the "Rock of St Skay" is known. It is never used as the "Comb of St Skay" as given on Est. [Estate] Maps |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 56Co. [County] Forfar -- Craig Parish
Chapel of St. Skae [note above modes of spelling]
Site of Chapel of
St. Skay St. Skea or St. Skeoch
Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
NRS - Moderator, Alison James- Moderator, Caspell
Location information for this page.
Linked mapsheets.
