OS1/19/3/78
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site of Goo House | Goo-house Goo-house Goo-house |
Statistical Account Mr John Davidson Factor, Crathes Mr James Stewart Inspector of Poor Sir James Burnett, Bart.[Baronet] of Leys. |
005.08 | "The artificial nature of this island (the island on which the Goo-house is situated) seems questionable, but the foundations, and even the plan of the buildings may be traced without much difficulty. They occupy nearly the whole surface and appear to have been a fortified dwelling of no great solidity, probably the resort or the residence of the family of Leys, before their fortalice was built at Crathes. It is sometimes called the "Gow or Goo-house," perhaps from the number of gulls which built their nest on the island" - Extract from Statistical Account. Since the above was written the foundation of this place has been excavated and found to be formed of the following materials in successive layers from the surface thus,- Clay, Brushwood, Sand, Stones, Brushwood, and Oak Piles. Owing to this, neither the foundation nor plan of the building can now be traced. |
| Crannoge Canoe found here | Statistical Account Mr John Davidson Factor, Crathes Mr James Stewart Inspector of Poor Sir James Burnett, Bart.[Baronet] of Leys. | 005.08 | "The artificial nature of this island (the island on which the Goo-house is situated) seems questionable, but the foundations, and even the plan of the buildings may be traced without much difficulty. They occupy nearly the whole surface and appear to have been a fortified dwelling of no great solidity, probably the resort or the residence of the family of Leys, before their fortalice was built at Crathes. It is sometimes called the "Gow or Goo-house," perhaps from the number of gulls which built their nest on the island" - Extract from Statistical Account. Since the above was written the foundation of this place has been excavated and found to be formed of the following materials in successive layers from the surface thus,- Clay, Brushwood, Sand, Stones, Brushwood, and Oak Piles. Owing to this, neither the foundation nor plan of the building can now be traced. |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 78Parish of Banchory Ternan
[initialed] EHC
I have fully investigated this Antiquity and questioned
Sir James Burnett of Leys & his Factor, who both were present
when the excavations on this island were made. From
their testimony it cannot be doubted that this island was
formed artificially, & answers in every particular to the
"Crannoges" lately discovered by Antiquarians in Ireland
& Switzerland. In every specimen found as yet a most
wonderful similarity has existed, the materials being the same and invariably supported on piles of oak; and scarcely any Crannoge has been discovered
without the remains of a primitive canoe being found beside it, which probably gave the means of transit between the island and the shore; besides this
cooking utensils, bones of animals and also horns of deer, and weapons have generally been found about them. In all these respects the present instance agrees
for at the excavations in 1851 its timber construction was placed beyond a doubt while in the Loch itself was found the primitive canoe, 6 Bronze pots
(of which 4 are at Crathes, and 2 in the museum at Edinburgh) horns and the bones and jaws of a deer, and a bronze axe-head. There can therefore
be no doubt that this is a "Crannoge", and it probably dates back to the 10th century, or thereabouts. -
The term "Goo-house" is purely a local one & of modern date, but it is well known to every one in the district.
E H Courtney Capt RE [Captain Royal Engineers]
20th June 1865
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Skinnb1- Moderator, JulieH, hastingleigh
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