Place record MHG11634 - Gallow Hill, Dornoch

Summary

A wooded natural eminence which is reputed to have been a place of execution.

Location

Grid reference Centred NH 80256 90222 (273m by 229m) (Centred)
Map sheet NH89SW
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Old County SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish DORNOCH

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

Gallow Hill (NAT) Cholera Burial Ground (A.D. 1832) OS 6" map, (1907)

Gallow Hill - A small eminence being a natural feature covered with wood so called from its being at one time a place of execution. A little to the north of this hill is a small enclosure which was used as a burying ground in the year 1832 for the burial of persons dying of cholera. Name Book 1873. <1>

An upright stone pillar of rectangular section, 1.5m high, 0.5m wide and 0.2m thick at NH 8031 9019, is reputed locally to mark the site of the gallows. (Published as "post" on OS map.)
All that survives at the burial ground is one grave-stone dated 1833 at NH 8038 9021. No enclosure wall is evident.
Visited by OS (A A) 23 March 1971.

GR above (corrected) is to marker stone in private garden to a man hanged for murdering a local witch, see photo. NB Burial Ground recorded separately as NH89SW0017. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Text/Publication/Volume: Name Book (County). Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey. Book No. 9, 23.
  • <2> Verbal Communication: White, H. Comment by Hilary White, HC Archaeologist. 11/2002.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Feb 10 2010 4:05PM

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