Monument record MHG39789 - Market, Spittalhill
Summary
Supposed site of 'The Jamesmas' or 'Georgemas Fair' C17-C18 market.
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 1669 5560 (100m by 100m) (Buffered by site type) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND15NE |
| Old County | CAITHNESS |
| Civil Parish | HALKIRK |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
Spittal Hill (NAT) OS 6" map, (1971)
Spittal Hill (Spittal was a parish until combined with Halkirk in the 16th century), the highest point in Halkirk parish, was until about 1827 a traditional meeting place. Here was held an annual market named 'the Jamesmas' according to the NSA (1845) and 'Georgemas Fair' according to the ONB (1872). The latter authority, quoting Torfeus, says that a great army led by 'Comes Magbradus' assembled here in the 10th century to attack Liotus, Earl of Orkney, in the moss to the S. (See ND15SE 12 for where the battle is reputed to have taken place.)
NSA 1845; Name Book 1871; 1872; T Torfaeus 1866; H Scott et al 1915-61.
Sources/Archives (4)
- --- SHG2597 Text/Publication/Volume: NSA. 1845. The new statistical account of Scotland by the ministers of the respective parishes under the superintendence of a committee of the society for the benefit of the sons and daughters of the clergy. Vol. 15, (Caithness) 68-9.
- --- SHG2773 Text/Publication/Volume: Scott, H et al (eds.). 1915-61. Fasti ecclesiae Scoticanae: the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation. Rev.. Vol. 7, 121.
- --- SHG2889 Text/Publication/Volume: Torfaeus, T. 1866. Ancient history of Orkney, Caithness, etc.. 21-4.
- --- SHG3372 Text/Publication/Volume: Name Book (County). Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey. Book No. 4, 161; Book No. 12, 51.
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Jan 28 2008 12:00AM
