Inverness Deanery

Inverness

Parish Church:   OS Ref: NGR NH 665455      H.E.S. No: NH64NE 13      Dedication: St Mary.

Associated Chapels: Blackfriars Convent {NGR NH }; Greyfriars Convent {NGR NH 665457}; Inverness Castle {NGR NH }; Kinmylies {NGR NH 732464}; Muirtown {NGR NH 732464}; St Catherine's {NGR NH 66_46_}; St Giles' {NGR NH 664445}; St John's {NGR NH 666451}; St Michael's {NGR NH }; St Thomas' {NGR NH 688455}; St Mary's in the Green {NGR NH }; Tor-a-Bhean {NGR NH }.


The earliest settlement in Inverness seems to have been along Kirkgate (now Church Street), which occupied the crest of a slope overlooking the Ness, and extended from the castle at the south end to the parish church at the north end. An access route (now Friars Lane), westwards from the northern end of Kirkgate, led down to a ford across the river at Friars Shot, with another leading northwards to the harbour. Subsequently, when a timber bridge was constructed across the Ness below the castle in the thirteenth-century, the axis of the burgh seems to have switched from north/south to east/west along Bridgegate (now Bridge Street) and Eastgate (now High Street; the present Eastgate was formerly Petty Street). The southern approach to the burgh was from Doomsdale or Overgate (now Castle Street), which occupied a defile between Castle Hill and Barn Hill. These two hills, along with Crown Hill (to the east of Barn Hill), sheltered the burgh to the south.1

The parish church of Inverness is first mentioned in a charter by King William dated to 1165x71,2 but it is very possible that there has been a church on this site from earlier times. However, we should be aware that the main Early Church communities appear to have been located in the Nairn Valley at Clava {NGR: NH 752439} , and at Alturlie Point (in Petty Parish) {NGR NH 715495} where there is a site that is supposed to date from the times of St Columba. Of course, we have Adamnán's record of the visit that St Columba made to the Ard Ri (High King) at what was called Craig Phadraig and it would not be surprising to find that there was a 'presence' of the Early Church in or very near to Inverness dating from the time of that visit.

Inverness enters the stage of written history during the reign of King William I, the Lion (1165-1214). At some point between 1165 and 1171, the king granted an endowment of one ploughgate of land to the church of St Mary of Inverness; but the burgh itself is not recorded before 1179-82. However, another charter of William relates back to a gift of King David I (1124-53) to the burgesses of Inverness, showing that the burgh was, in all probability, founded by King David, perhaps in the period after the death of Angus, earl of Moray, in 1130, when the earldom was annexed to the Crown.

The rectory of Inverness parish church was, in 1189x94, granted by William the Lion to Arbroath Abbey3 and this was confirmed by Bishop Richard of Moray in 1189x1198. In 1223x42 this annexation was further confirmed by Bishop Andrew, at which time it was also stipuated that the parish was to be served by vicar perpetual. On 4 February 1248, Bishop Simon created a vicarage in the church of Inverness with the consent of the abbot of Arbroath (Walter). The abbot is reserved the garbal (rectory) teinds.4 On 3 May 1277 Pope Innocent confirms the gift to Arbroath Abbey of the churches of Invernis (and Aberkerdor). The abbey is charged with providing a properly qualified vicar to each church.5 However, this vicarage was also annexed to the abbey by Pope Benedict XIII in 1399. As can be imagined, this did not suit either the diocese or the parishoners and litigation ensued. At one stage, in 1430, the vicarage fruits were divided between the abbey and the vicar but, in spite of a further attempt in 1435 to have the whole vicarage annexed to the abbey, it appears to have maintained its independence, while the parsonage remained with the abbey, up to the time of the Reformation.6

There has been a suggestion that before its 'Roman' dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the parish church was dedicated to St Columba,7 but there is no certain evidence of this.

There are few remains of the medieval parish church of St Mary but there is a growing opinion that the lower portion of the tower which is attached to the present church building, was part of an early structure, possibly of the 14th-century. It is accepted that the site of the parish church in 1530, and probably for several centuries before that, was where the present High Church stands. The parish church of the burgh had a St Catherine's Aisle which had been endowed by Provost Reid in 1451. In 1559, this aisle is mentioned in the following, "Johne Ross, tennent to St Kateryne land within the bruch of Innernes, lyand betuix the landis of our Lade land of the New ylle to the north, and Sant Mychallis land to the southt."8 In an instrument of sasine, of date 22 October 1619, mention is made of a rood of land belonging to the chaplain of the Holy Cross at Inverness. Also, it is recorded that in 1623, Simon, son of Lord Lovat, was interred in St Catherine's Aisle in the Rood Kirk of Inverness, but this was evidently the parish church which, as we have noted, was dedicated to St Mary.9

Within the parish church there were chapels and altars dedicated to: the Holy Rood; St Peter; St John the Baptist; St Catherine; and St Michael.

Elsewhere within the parish there was St Mary's Chapel - otherwise the 'Chapel of the Green' - in what is now the Chapel Yard; a St Giles chapel stood near the Parish Church; a chapel of St John below the Old Castle Hill; a St Thomas' Chapel on a site that was, in a later age, covered by railway buildings;10 and a possible St Catherine's Chapel on the west bank of the river. There were also chapels within the Black Friar's Monastery, at the bishop's residence on the Kinmylies estate, at Tor-a-Bhean (Torvean), at Muirtown, and within the Royal Castle. (By following the 'hyper links' the reader will find more information regarding these chapels.)

 

Map of Medieval Inverness.
Above: Sketch map of Medieval Inverness.

 

The highlights in the lives of the inhabitants were the frequent fairs held in the burgh. It is known that there were fairs on Palm Sunday (probably lasting for the whole of Holy Week up to Easter Sunday); Marymas in Harvest (15 August, on the feast of the Assumption of the B.V.M.); Roodmas or Holy Rood in Autumn (Rud-day-in-harvest or Ruid-fair); Petermas in February (1 February, Legavrik11); Martinmas (10 November; the Mertymes-fair, formerly held at the church of St Martin in the barony of Ardmannoch on the Black Isle) ; and the anniversaries of St Thomas before the Nativity of the Lord in December (Sanct-Thomas-fair), and St Mark (Sanct-Markis-fair) - each of these fairs, seemingly, lasted for eight days!12 By the mid-19th century there were only five fairs, each lasting three days - Candlemas Fair in February; Whitsuntide Market in May; St Andrews Fair in July; Marymas Fair in August; and Martinmas Fair in November. In Inverness the markets were held at the intersection of the four streets of the medieval burgh, called The Exchange. It was in that area that the symbols of civic government, the tollbooth and market cross, were located. King William I granted the first market rights to the burgh for a weekly market to be held on Saturdays. To this, the right to hold a second weekly market, on Wednesdays, had been granted by 1592. The routine markets were added to greatly at the times of the fairs with ships coming especially to the 'harbour' to land 'fancy' goods from other parts of the country and even further afield. But, at the heart of all the festivities was religion, as can be seen from their names.

Inverness had a 'harbour' on the river, beyond {to the north of} the parish church, from which trade was carried on. Throughout the medieval period there was apparently no quay, ships simply lying close to the shore; the first quay was not built until 1675.13

From very early in the life of the diocese, during the reign of King Alexander II, a royal grant is recorded in the Registrum Episcopatus Moraviensis, dated 1232, whereby the bishop received the barony of Kinmylies.14 Successive bishops held this barony, which was a part of the episcopal Regality of Spynie, up to 1544 when that great dilapidator of the diocese, Bishop Patrick Hepburn, sold it to Lord Lovat. There is a tradition that the last wolf known to have been seen at large in the kingdom was killed above the House of Kinmylies, about a mile and a half from Inverness.15 The barony included the lands of Awchmonye; Easter & Wester Kilmyles, Balnafarie, Easter & Wester Abreoquhy (Abriachan), Kilquhynnan (Kil Ninian on Urquhart Bay), with the mill of Boath (Bught) and the fishings on the Ness called Freschot; Bollescane and Foyar (Boleskine and Foyers); Moneak (Moniack); Kintallartie (Kiltarlity); Durris (Dores); Helen Flemyng's Tenement and Robert Vaus' Tenement within the burgh.17

1359 (26 October) King David II, at the request of his faithful and special burgess of Inuernys (Inverness), Johannes called Scot, in the presence of the burgesses gathered in the cimiterio of the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Inverness, grants, for the support of one chaplain, a portion (unam peciam terre) of the land of "le Cras" containing 20 acres next to the land of the B.V.M., bounded to the south by the parish church and "le Scathegate" to the east.18

1360 (4 March) The burgesses of Inverness confirm the above - but their measure of the piece of land is only 18 acres! They undertake to pay 100s towards the fabric of the cathedral if they fail in any way.19

1361 (die Mercurii proximo post festum beati Petri ad vincula) Bishop John lists the possessions of the perpetual vicar of Inverness (see Table below). The bishop has the right of presentation to the said chaplainry.20

 

Possessions of the perpetual vicar of Inverness in 1361.
Extent Description Detail
18 acres as given by the King (David) de la Crasse.
4 acres gifted by Alani Freskyni • 2 acres + 3 perches in le Schipflat between the land of Alani Vayrement to the north and those of Willelmi Walker to the south, lying between the road called Scathgat and the River Ness.
• 1 perch between the lands of Fr. Johannis de Inuernys to the south and that of Walteri called Man to the north.
4 acres above Markhynch • in le Churryflat extending along the R. Ness between the lands of Andree Scot to the south and those of Andree Sankys to the north.
6 acres gifted by Susanne and Ede • 3 acres in le Halc extending along the road called Scatisgat as far as Knokyntynole to the north and the mill to the south.
• 2 acres in the fields/land of the ancient castle extending along the road from the King's mill to the south and Brumybauc (Broomy Bank) to the north.
• one-sixth of an acre in the same fields to the south.
1 perch donated by Marjorie called Dyll • on the west side of the river within the crofts between the lands of Thome dicti Weyt the chaplain to the north and the lands called Coki to the south, bounded to the east by the river and the west by the lands of Kynmyly.
1 perch donated by Stephani Skynnar • between the lands of Johannis Rossach to the south and the lands of the heritors of Johannis Qhwelwrycht to the north.
1 perch donated by Alexandri Irynpurs • between the lands which Johannis son of Hugonis de Cristino de Ard tenents to the south and those of Willelmi Pylche to the north.
2 acres given by Willelmi Tauenere • in the Damysdale between the lands of the abbot of Kinloss to the east and those of Johannis dicti Pedoc to the west extending from the Royal Highway on the south, north as far as terram capitalem.
4 marks p.a. given by Willelmi, earl of Ross • from the lands of Culclochy.
1 perch given by Matilde dicte Dese • bounded to the east by the said chapel between the cemetery to the west and the lands of St Katerine Virginis to the east.
1 perch called the lands of St Katherine, as above. • to the east of the chapel, beside the lands of the abbot of Arbroath, from which lands Johannes and his heirs pay each year at Martinmas 12d., towards the lights of St Katherine in the parish church, to the vicar of Inverness of the time.
Source: Moray Registrum, 237; this charter was given, 1361, at Spynie with Master Eustacii, perpetual vicar of Inverness as a signatory.

 

1363 In this year Nicholaus de fforays (Forres) confirms to God and to the Altar of the Holy Cross in the Parish Church of Inverness and for the maintenance of a chaplain there to worship forever, one acre of arable land.

1361 (8 August) John Scot, burgess of Inverness, obliges himself to Ade de Nayrn - at that time chaplain - and his successors, for 100s annually, half at Pentecost and half at Martinmas. He is also to give the chaplain a suitable robe, with fur, at the Feast of St Andrews.16

 

Suggested lands of Inverness Parish
Name OS Grid Ref. Extent Comment
Dunainmor, Dunaincroy & Lagnalein NH 628425; 641419; 622413 2 dabhaichean  
Castle Leathers & Coulduthil NH 680428 2 dabhaichean  
Upper & Nether Torbrecks, Knocknagial NH 648410; 659408 2 dabhaichean  
Essich NH 648395 1 dabhach  
East Kinmyles c.NH 644448 1 dabhach alias the Brigend21
West Kinmyles (as above) 1 dabhach  
East Culloden   1 dabhach  
Mid Culloden   1 dabhach  
West Culloden: Bellimore, Aulquhinack   1 dabhach  

 

Parish Clergy:

1224 - Thoma hostiario, vicar of Inverness, is a witness to John Byseth's charter gifting the church of Kiltarlity to the Hospital of St Peter at Ruthven. [Moray Reg., no.71]

1226 (19 June) - Thoms hostiario, vicar of Inverness, is a witness to a charter of John Byseth confirming his previous gift to the hospital at Ruthven. [Moray Reg., no.78]

1232 (11 October) - Andreas, vicar of Inverness, is witness to a charter of Andrew, bishop of Moray. [Moray Reg., no.95]

1255 (16 September) - John, vicar of Inverness, is witness to a charter, drawn up at Rosemarkie, whereby Laurentius, knight, gifts lands to Beauly Priory. [History of Beauly Priory, p.49]

1398 (20 Nov) - William, bishop of Moray, issues a monition to Donald, Dean of Christianty de Inverness, and chaplain of the parish church of Inverness, stating that since Alexander de Insulis, Lord of Lochaber, had granted three portions of the land of Kilmylies to three persons, the dean was to warn these persons not to enter upon these lands. [Reg. Mor., no.181]

1428 (9 April) - John Donaldi, priest, Moray diocese, who was formerly collated by ordinary authority to the rectory of the parish church of Abyrbreaghe (4 marks sterling) and the chaplainry of the chapel of St Mary of Inverness, said diocese, - that the Pope would provide him to the rectory of Lwond [? Lundichty], said diocese, notwithstanding that it is of lay patronage (12 marks sterling), void by the non-promotion of Robert de Petoy, who has held it for a year and more, etc., or void in whatsoever way; and would dispense him to hold the said rectories together for life. Fiat ut petitur pro utroque et dispensamus cum ultimo. O. Rome, S. Apostoli, 5 Id. Apr., anno 11. [CSSR, ii, p.206]

1430 (16 January) - Since the vicarage of Invernes, Moray diocese, is void by the resignation of Robert Ingeram, in hands of the Ordinary, and has been so long void that provision has devolved to the Apostolic See, although a certain David Senescalli, who bears himself as clerk, said diocese, by pretext of ordinary collation has detained it for about a year and a half, although not of legitimate age, and retains it. Therefore John de Inverness, priest, said diocese, supplicates that the Pope would provide him to said vicarage (£10 sterling), void as above, or because the said Robert divided, or caused to be divided, the said vicarage and its fruits in two parts, namely, one part for himself and the other to be united to the monastery of Abberbrothok, St Andrews diocese, no licence having been obtained from the Apostolic See, or void in whatsoever way: notwithstanding that John holds the rectory of Abberbreochy (3 marks sterling) and the chaplainry of St Mary of Inverness, without cure, of lay patronage, Moray diocese (3 marks sterling). Concessum ut petitur. G.Cons. Rome, S. Apostoli, 17 Kal. Feb., anno 13. [Scottish Supplications to Rome, 1428-1432, [CSSR, iii, p.71]

1430 (7 February) - Reformatio. Recently the Pope granted provision to John de Invernys, priest, Moray diocese, of the vicarage of Invernys, said diocese, as is more fully contained in the supplication thereanent. But, by inadvertence, it was omitted to make mention that Walter, abbot of Abbrochoch, St Andrews diocese, to whom the presentation is known to pertain, in an alleged presentation made by him of a certain David Senescalli, divided the fruits of the vicarage in two parts and reserved one part to his own monastery 'de facto' by his own authority. May Pope give mandate to expedite the letters with due expression of these omissions and that the said abbot has detained the part thus reserved for a year and a half, as he detains it at present. Concessum. G.Cons. Rome, S. Apostoli, 7 Id. Feb., anno 13. [CSSR, iii, p.75]

1430 (3 March) - John de Invernes, principal, for the annates of the perpetual vicarage of the parish church of Invernes, Moray diocese (£10 sterling), void by the resignation of Robert Ingeramj, outwith the Curia. Collated at Rome, S. Apostoli, 7 Id. Feb [7 February], anno 13. [Fasti Med. Aev., 99]

1461 (1 June) - at Rome. Quittance to Alexander Swthirland, rector of parish church of Innernys, Moray diocese, for 20 florins (g.c.) as composition for total annates, Ambrose de Spanochiis, depositar, receiving. By hands of Antony, agent of So. de Baroncellis, in due time. [Apostolic Camera and Scottish Benefices 1418-1488, Libri Quittanciarum, p.239]

1461 (1 June) - From Alexander Wtherland, 20 florins (g.c.) by hands of Matthew de Baroncellis and So., composition for the annates of the parish church of Inernis [Inverness], Moray diocese. [Apostolic Camera and Scottish Benefices 1414-1488, Introitus et Exitus, p.277]

1536 In this year Magnus Vaus is found as rector of Y or Ey in Lewis, vicar of Abertarff, commissary of Inverness, and chaplain of St Catherine's chapelry there. [Fasti Med. Aev., 246]

 


Other Churches and Chapels in the Parish.

Chapel of St Mary - the Chapel of/in the Green.
1359 (26 October) King David II, at the request of his faithful and special burgess of Inuernys, Johannis called Scot, in the presence of the burgesses gathered in the 'cimiterio' of the chapel of the B.V.M. of Inverness, grants for the support of one chaplain, a portion of the land of le Cras containing 20 acres next to the lands of the B.V.M., bounded to the south by the parish church and le Scathegate to the east.22 Mackinlay notes that, "The burgh had also a chapel under the same invocation (St Mary), which occupied a site east of the Dominican monastery; but no vestige of the building remains. The chapel, as Mr Fraser-Mackintosh tells us, 'was situated in the centre of a square field about four acres in extent, now the principal burying-ground of the town, and still called the Chapel-Yard'."23
The Old Quay lying between the railway viaducts and Waterloo Bridge was built using stones from St Mary's Chapel which stood in the Chapleyard, and this allowed vessels up to 80 tons to use the port.24
In the Charters held by the family of Grant [Chiefs of Grant, Vol. iii, no. 69] there is reference to the Chapel of Beate Marie Virginis de le Greyne prope Inuernes being granted 3s. by John, son of Andrew Keransone alias Lavebane, on 26 August 1517.Press to RETURN to Main Article

Chapel of St Giles There was a chapel of St Giles in the burying-ground of the parish church. It stood between that church and the river Ness. It was either physically attached to the parish church or was in its immediate vicinity.25 Press to RETURN to Main Article

Chapel of St John The Hospitallers had some property in Inverness; and a chapel in this burgh, dedicated to St John, was, in all probability, connected with that Order.26 "St John's Chapel stood in a field below the old Castlehill. No vestige of the chapel remains, but the field is to this day called Dire na Pouchk or 'the land of the Poor', and is in the possession of the Church Session."27
We should note here that there were at least two sites in early medieval Inverness where there were castles - the predecessor of the present Castle, on the crags above the river, and Macbeth's Castle which was located near the modern Millburn Academy {NGR NH 6737 4558} . There was also the feudal barony of Castlehill {NGR NH 697442} , for generations the home of the powerful Cuthbert family in the late medieval period.
1362 (feast of The Epiphany of the Holy Cross) There is a charter of this date in the Inverness Charter chest. By it, Robert de Chisholm of that ilk, knight, grants and confirms, for the salvation of his ancestors and successors, six acres of arable land, lying within the lands of the Old Castle of Inverness. This land is called Direbought, that is, Tir na Bochd or 'the lands of the poor'. The castle is supposed to have been of the eleventh-century and to have stood on the eastern eminence which is called 'the Crown', half a mile east of the burgh.28 Press to RETURN to Main Article

Chapel of St Thomas. It is said that this chapel was situated "on the east side of the river Ness, behind what is now Shore Street, but no remains of the building are visible."29 The field beyond Rose Street, in which the chapel stood, was formerly known as 'St Thomas Chapel' and this is thought to reflect the dedication of Arbroath Abbey to St Thomas the Martyr.30 It is possible that the abbey owned the land here. Mackinlay considered that the dedication was to St Thomas the Apostle.31 This chapel was located to the east, and so outside of, the burgh's ancient precincts. {NGR NH 6682 4551} The moat and pallisade which marked the east of the burgh's boundary followed the line of what is now Academy Street.32 Press to RETURN to Main Article

Chapel of St Catherine. This chapel is said to have stood on the west side of the River Ness. However, evidence is lacking and it is very likely that this is a confusion caused by the naming of a parcel of land on the west bank that was part of the endowments of the 'chaplainry' of St Catherine that certainly existed within the parish church. Indeed, there was St Catherine's Aisle within the burgh church which was endowed by by Provost Reid in 1451. In 1559, "Johne Ross, tennent to St Kateryne land within the bruch of Innernes, lyand betuix the landis of our Lade land of the New ylle to the north, and Sant Mychallis land to the southt."33Press to RETURN to Main Article

The Mendicant Friars. In the past, a number of writers have suggested that there were houses, or friaries, of both the Black Friars and the Grey Friars in Inverness, but this is not so. A thorough search of the evidence reveals that there was only a convent of Black Friars. This house of the Dominican Order was founded about 1233, by King Alexander II, and is thought to have been dedicated to St Bartholomew. It is thought very likely that there was a school established by the monastery (possibly on Friars Lane, at its junction with Church Street) and that this, in time, became the Grammar School. Stones from the convent buildings were used, c.1652, in the construction of Cromwell's Citadel on the river bank to the north.
1313 (21 October) King Robert I granted to the Blackfriars of Inverness £10 from the fermes of the burgh, half to be paid at Pentecost and half at Martinmass.34
1435 It is a measure of the importance of the monastery that when the Earl of Mar, who for many years had been the King's lieutenant in the Highlands, and the governor of Inverness castle, died in this year, he was buried within the Blackfriars' convent, presumably within its chapel. 35
1560 On the very eve of the Reformation the head of the Black Friars convent had it in mind to place all of the precious ornaments, plate, and other belongings, into the 'safe keeping' of town's authorities. We are told that, "the Freyeris Ornamentis and Chalisses" were deposited for safety with the Provost, George Cuthbert, in the name of the town. Sadly, the Provost died in the following year, and a demand for their return was made both on his widow and the tutors for his son. Both parties denied possession, and the articles were never recovered!35a
1560 (28 February) - A charter was given by the Dominican Friars of Inverness to "George Cuthbert of Old Castle," for various fishing rights within the burgh, which had belonged to the convent. Press to RETURN to Main Article

Kinmylies Estate. The estate of Kinmylies was given to the bishops of Moray at an early date and it is known that there was a manor house built here for episcopal use. Not surprisingly, there was also a chapel. "The site of this chapel has been pointed out by P. Grant. It is in the garden attached to his house (Kinmylies) and, in trenching this, the workmen came upon thick walls, not, evidently those of a common building, round which were large quantities of human bones, evidently betokening the former existence of a burial place. Ancient charters are also said to exist, bearing evidence of the fact. The dedicatory name cannot be obtained, but there is no doubt that it existed before the Reformation, although the precise date of its erection cannot be discovered. At present there is not the least trace of it."36
1232 (5 October) King Alexander II confirms his gift of tofts and crofts within the grieveship of Kinmylies, saving the lands of Merkinch, and all revenues from the fisheries. 37 Press to RETURN to Main Article

Tor-a-Bhean. Many consider that the Gaelic name, when translated, becomes 'the Hill of Baithene',38 while others give the translation as 'the Hill of (St) Beóán', adding that the older name of Bught was 'Cill Bheathain'.39
St Beathan or Baithene, who was born in 536, was a first cousin of St Columba and was also, as we are told in Adomnan's Life, Columba's foster son.40 He presided over the pentitential monastery of Magh-Lunge on the island of Tiree (the Ethican Land) and was Columba's own choice to be his successor at Iona after his death. Baithene (or his devotees) founded a cell at Kilvean (Cill-Bheathain)41 in the immediate vicinity of Inverness. Here also he gave his name to the adjoining Torvean {NGR: NH 650434} where there was once an ancient fort. Press to RETURN to Main Article

Muirtown. It has been stated that there was a chapel beside Muirtown Toll-house {NGR:NH 651461} but no further information has been found to confirm this.

The Royal Castle. Although the present castle building is somewhat 'modern', there has been a royal fortification here from the earliest times of the community's existence. The castle was placed under the command of a governor and many of the greatest men of the north held the title. Because it was such a high-status royal establishment, there is little doubt that there would have been a chapel within the castle, with clerics to provide masses on (probably) a daily basis.
1266 That there was a chapel in the castle is evinced by an entry in the Rolls, showing that the chaplain serving there was paid 5 marks per annum by the Sheriff of Inverness.42 Press to RETURN to Main Article

 


1. Perry, David (1998) 'Invernes: an Historical and Archaeological Review', in PSAS, vol.128 (1998), 831.

2. RRS, ii, no.117. King William addresses a charter to Inverness parish church and Thomas the priest (persona de de Inverness), donating one ploughgate of land. Dated to 24 December 1165x1171. [POMS Database: https://www.poms.ac.uk/record/factoid/8491/] Accessed 17/9/19/

3. RRS, ii, no.357.

4. Moray Reg., 214.

5. Moray Reg., 219.

6. Cowan, Ian B. (1967) The Parishes of Medieval Scotland, Edinburgh: Scottish Records Society, 89-90.

7. Mackay, William (1914) Urquhart & Glenmoriston: olden times in a Highland parish, Inverness, Northern Counties Newspapers, 333.

8. Mackinlay, J. M. (1914) Ancient Church Dedications in Scotland: non-Scriptural dedications, Edinburgh: David Douglas, 420.

9. Mackinlay, J. M. (1910) Ancient Church Dedications in Scotland: Scriptural dedications, Edinburgh: David Douglas, 357, quoting Wardlaw MS, 246. "It is very likely that there was a chapel dedicated to the Holy Rood within the Parish Church."

10. Fraser-Mackintosh, Charles (1875) Invernessiana.

11. Legavrik or Leth-Gheamhradh meant 'mid-winter'.

12. Perry (1998), 843.

13. Perry, (1998), 841.

14. Moray Reg., 34. Given at Invercullen, 5 October 1232 (Anno regni nostro octavo decimo).

15. Shaw, Lachlan (1882) The History of the Province of Moray, Glasgow: Hamilton, Adams; vol.2, 327.

16. Moray Reg., 238.

17. Moray Reg., 448-449.

18. Moray Reg., 234.

19. Moray Reg., 235.

20. Moray Reg., 237.

21. Moray Reg., 405.

22. Moray Reg., 234; RRS, vi, 225.

23. Mackinlay (1910), 117-8, quoting Charles Fraser Mackintosh (1875) Invernessiana, Inverness: Forsyth.

24. 3rd Statistical Account, p.76.

25. Mackinlay (1910), 358.

26. Mackinlay (1910), 330.

27. Fraser-Mackintosh, Charles (1875) Invernessiana, p.21. Dire na Pouchk should be Tir na Bochd.

28. Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry vol.1, p.213.

29. Mackinlay (1910), 258.

30. HES Canmore Database (NH64NE 21). Accessed 1/10/2019

31. Mackinlay (1910), 258.

32. Perry (1998). In 1180, William the Lion undertook to make a moat round the town, while the burghers were bound to build a palisade. Part of the moat which ran along the present line of Academy Street, became, at a later date, the receptacle of waste from the tanneries, and was accordingly known as Foul Pool or Fosse.

33. Mackinlay (1914), 420; Mackay, Wm (1911-1924) Records of Inverness, vol. i. Aberdeen: New Spalding Club, p.36.

34. RRS, vi, 225, p.253.

35. Perry (1998), 837.

35a. Bryce, W M (1909) The Scottish Grey Friars, Edinburgh, vol.1, 483. https://archive.org/details/scottishgreyfria01brycuoft/page/482; MS. Burgh Records, sub anno 1561. George Cuthbert of Castlehill was Provost 1556-1559, as were a number of his family in the sixteenth-century. George was also sheriff-depute of Inverness at the time, a man who should have been more than trustworthy as a guardian of the convent's possessions. The Cuthberts are said to have been given the Barony of Castlehill {NGR: NH 697442} by King Kenneth in the 950s.

36. Ordnance Survey Name Books: Inverness-shire OS Name Books, 1876-1878; Inverness-shire Mainland, volume 31, p.21. OS1/17/31/21

37. RRS, iii, no.180.

38. For example, Mackinlay (1914), 72.

39. Watson, William (1926) The History of the Celtic Place Names of Scotland. Edinburgh: Blackwood, 312. St Beóán, otherwise known as St Bean of Mortlach.

40. Adamnan's Life of St Coumba, ii, xv.

41. Kilvean, in the form of Kill Baine and Kilvain, is mentioned in the Wardlaw Manuscript in 1649, and again in 1666, when a famous meeting took place there between The Mackintosh with 500 followers and Lochiel with 300.

42. Exchequer Roll (B), i, p.13.

 

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