OS1/14/65/4
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEIL'S KNAP | Deil's Knap Deil's Knap Deil's Knap Deil's Knap Deil's Knap |
New Statistical Account Mr Rodger Drumbertnot Mr Fullarton Peat Loch Mr. Salmond Arbikie Revd. [Reverend] Mr. Hay |
034 | "Another remarkable in the antiquities of Lunan is the number of Knaps which formerly existed in it, but which owing to the superior cultivation of the ground have now almost entirely dissapeared. Knap is a Scots-Gothic word signifying round or globe-shaped & hence the name came to be applied to a round hillock. Until of late a long line of these Knaps could be distinctly traced running along the sea to the highest point in the Parish. Besides Knap o' Castle" (which is not known now nor even the name recognised) "there is Cotton Knap, Knap of Cathill, the two Knaps of Newton, Dales Knap (vulgarly Deil's Knap) & some others. In fact every eminence seems to have had its Knap. These Knaps so universal throughout Scotland had evidently been used as beacons or Signal Posts to give notice of alarm on the approach of an enemy. For this purpose large fires were lighted up & a line of Knaps in the direction of the enemy were seen to blaze. That this was the use to which they were applied tradition amply testifies, and is farther proved by the large quantity of ashes which are found when any of them are demolished. It is difficult however to account for the Knaps in this Parish being so near each other. Almost every farm had its Knap. Arbikie lies on the s-west [south west] extremity of this Parish. The name seems to be derived from Ardbiccon, the high little summit. A little to the west of this, accordingly, there is a small conical artificial mount with which is connected a dorsum or ridge about seven yards in breadth, which can be traced to the distance of 120 yards. A range of little tumuli succeed at equal distances. These are in the same line with the ridge or dorsum and extend about 800 yards. A little behind, and exactly opposite the termination of the dorsum, is another artificial cone somewhat larger than the former. The name of a small Loch called "Cathie Loch" - the Gaelic word for or signifying a battle- indicates the purpose for which these had been formed" (This Loch is now filled in & cultivated, and the Name is not retained to any object about the place). "It appears then that a battle had been fought here & that these tumuli and ridges were the burying places of the slain - the greater mount with the tumuli containing the dead of the conquerors, and the lesser mount with the dorsum or ridge, the dead of the Conquered" New Statl. [Statistical] Account. (See Deil's Knap &c continued) [continued on page 5] |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 4Co. [County] Forfar -- Lunan Parish
[Note]
Cnap, - A little hill. (G [Gaelic])
Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Alison James- Moderator, Caspell
Location information for this page.
Linked mapsheets.
