caithness-1911/05_085

Transcription

INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. [Page] 21

PARISH OF CANISBAY.

that of the chapel. In the interior two slabs protrude, which may
have formed the ends of a long cist. The building is not correctly
oriented, and its designation is doubtful.
O.S.M. CAITH., ii. Visited, 14th September 1910.

57. St Drostan's Chapel, Brabstermire. - The site of this chapel,
which was dedicated to St Drostan, lies on the W. side of the high road
to the NW. of Brabstermire House. It was excavated, and showed a
small building evidently of the chancelled type, but the ruins are now
entirely covered up.
See Eccles. Hist. Caith., p. 49.
O.S.M., CAITH., vii. ("St Eustan's"). Visited, 14th September 1910.

58. Castle Mestag, Island of Stoma. - At the NW. end of Mell
Head, some 12' to 15' out from the edge of the cliffs which fringe the
shore, stands a stack, or detached perpendicular mass of rock.
Occupying nearly the whole summit has been a small keep, now
reduced to a few courses of masonry. Except by means of a bridge
the position is inaccessible (Pls. VIII. and IX.).
There appears to be not extant history of the structure, and its
existence is merely referrred to in the Statistical Account.
See Stat. Acct., viii. p. 164.
O.S.M., CAITH., iiA. Visited, 17th September 1910.

59. Cairn, Island of Stroma. - A slight elevation towards the S. end
of the island bears the name of Cairn Hill, but no cairn remains on it.
O.S.M., CAITH., iiiA. Visited, 17th September, 1910.

60. Ruins, etc., Nethertown, Island of Stroma. - Half a mile down the
E. coast from the N. end of the island, is a little harbour at the Geo of
Nethertown. Beside the house occupied by Mr Smith, immediately
to the S. of this harbour, are remains which are probably prehistoric.
Some 20' to the S. of the house there protrude a few inches through
the turf two slabs set on edge, parallel, and 3' apart, while 2' to the
W. of the most northerly is another in alignment with it. It was
stated that along the coast, towards the N., were many such cist-like
settings of slabs, known as "Picts' beds," but no others, except such as
are here recorded, have been noted. On the N. side of the house, at
the edge of the bank, are exposed the ruins of a structure in which
upright slabs are visible, set parallel 2' 10" apart, with bones and
shells intermingling with the debris.
O.S.M., CAITH, iiiA. Visited, 17th September 1910.

PARISH OF DUNNET.

ECCLESIASTICAL STRUCTURES.

61. Dunnet Church. - This church (P1. X.) is situated about 7 m. E.
from Thurso and 3 1/2 m. S. from Dunnet Head, the most northerly point
of Scotland. It bears a considerable resemblance to Canisbay church,
situated some 8 m. further E., and is similar in size, measuring some
84' x 30'. It has, however, no transepts. The harling which covers