Halkirk Table

Halkirk

Name	Value	Date	Grid Ref	Map Sources	Other forms, comments etc
Braal (Castle)	6d	1661	ND1360	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	Brathewelle in RMS I (614) 1374-5. See also RMS VIII (1581) 1630. Braidwall in RS20/1/p 26 1648. 6d Bredwall in RMS XI (53) 1661. See below.
Gerston	>=2d	1587	ND 1259	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	+ broch. Gairsten in Blaeu. See below.
Forsie Farm		1472	ND 0563	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9)	Probably ‘Forsy’ in Book of the Thanes of Cawdor (p 54) of 1472. Forsse with Gerstane in GD112/58/1/9 1553. Forsi in Blaeu.
Halkirk			ND 1359	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	Hackrig in Blaeu. RMS VI (1729) 1606. Broch (possible) Housle Cairn – ND 119596.
Penny	(1d)			Roy(FC)	Marked just N of Halkirk, west of Braal.
Sexpennyland	6d	1616			‘Sexpennyland’ in RMS VII (1508) 1616. RMS VIII (2207) 1633 lists ‘Sexpennyland’ after Bredwell (Braal) and before Substerbrale (Sibster-braal i.e. the Sibster by Braal).
Houstry Mains			ND 1357	Thomson(1822)
Dale Farm   Wester Dale	6d 6d 8⅛d	c. 1554 1610 1664	ND 1353   ND 1251	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	See below. Ex-bishopric of Orkney. RS20/1/pp 193-4 1664 and RS21/1/326r 1701.
Tormsdale	2d	1802	ND 1350/1450	Roy(FC) Thomson(1822)	Apparently part of Wester Dale (RS21/1/325r 1701). E106/8/2 – Valuation Roll for Caithness in 1802. Ex-bishopric. Thormeskeyth or Thormesdaill are the alternative names given in 1559 – OPS II, II p 760. See below.
Achalone North Achalone			ND 1556 ND 1557		RMS IV (1705)1565-6 on original of 1560; Retours (Caithness) (29) 1672 where Achalon had an Extent of 8m. RS21/1/334v 1702. See below under Spittal.
Spittal	2d 3¾d	1620 1648	ND 1654	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	Spittel in Blaeu. Retours (Caithness) (10). RS21/1/334v 1702. Broch (possible) Torr an Fhidhlier – ND 163547. See below.
Boltcoyand	1d	1620			On the east side of Spittell according to Retours (Caithness) (10). See below under Gerston.
Mybster			ND 1652	Thomson(1822)	Myrebestare of RMS IV (1705) 1565-6 on original of 1560. Myrbuster & Myrbrubster in RS20/1/p 26 1648. Myrbster in RS21/1/327r 1701. Broch (possible) Ballone, Mybster – ND 161528. See below under Spittal.
Harpsdale Mains Strath of Harpsdale			ND 1255 ND 1254	Roy(FC) Thomson(1822)	OPS II, II p 759 gives a 1361 document from the Balnagown Charters which refers to Harpsdol. = Hawpistell of Retours (Caithness) (2) 1565? Broch (possible) Achies – ND 136550. Broch (possible) Achies East – ND 140556.
Banniskirk Mains	(12d)	1684	ND 1657	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	Bannaskarth in Blaeu. 2d of Blaneskirk is mentioned in Bk of Thanes of Cawdor pp 54-5 1472. Retours (Caithness) (34) 1684 states ‘Half Baneskirk extending to 6d’. See below.
Achcomhairle (marked twice on Explorer 451)	(2d)	1684	ND 1555 ND 1655		Retours (Caithness) (34) 1684 states ‘Half Achorlie extending to 1d’. 1d of Achorly in RS20/1/p 201 1665. Broch (possible) Achcomhairle – ND 159556. See below.
Achanarras	7d	1662	ND 1555		RS20/1/pp 156-7 1662 gives 7d Auchnerres. Broch (possible) Achanarras Farm – ND 151551. See below.
Olgrinmore	(6d)	1559	ND 0955	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9)	Ex-bishopric. Olmgramoir in Blaeu. See below.
Olgrinbeg			ND 1053	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9)	Ex-bishopric. Olengrabeg in Blaeu.
Braygald	10d	1797			See below.
Dirlot			ND 1248	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	Durlet in Blaeu. Dylrid was a Mackay property from 1499 – RMS II (2506). RMS IV (1635) 1565. Part of Braygald. See below.
Càiteag			ND 1348	Thomson(1822)	See below. Cattack in Thomson. RMS IV (1635) 1565. Part of Braygald.
Dalemore			ND 1349/1449	Roy(FC) Thomson(1822)	RS37/1/158r 1619, RS37/1/159r 1619. Dalmore in Book of Mackay p 310 1626. Part of Braygald.
Rihevard			ND 1448		Probably part of Braygald. = Rhiffert of Retours (Caithness) (33) 1680?
Knockdoo			ND 1547	Roy(FC) Thomson(1822)	RS37/1/158r 1619, RS37/1/159r 1619. Knockdhu in Book of Mackay p 310 1626. Part of Braygald.
Daluacher			ND 1646	Thomson(1822)	OS 6″ 1st Series Caithness Sheet XXVIII, 1871. Part of Braygald.
Achardale			ND 1156	Thomson(1822)
Calder Mains (= South Calder or Scotscalder) North Calder or Norn Cathell	(18d?)   18d	1663	ND 0959   ND 1061/1161	Blaeu(Caithness) Roy(FC) Thomson(1822) RHP 417 RHP 2785 a & b	Caldel in Blaeu. See below under Calder/Scotscalder.   Miscellany Vol X p 184. RS20/1/pp 174-5 1663. Broch (possible) North Calder – ND 103616. 10d (1704) Bangor-Jones (1987) p 17.
Framside		1663	ND 0861		A ‘field’ of Norncaldell in RS20/1/pp 174-5 1663. Broch (possible) Framside – ND 089619.
Achavarn		1663	ND 0859	Thomson(1822)	A ‘field’ of Scotscaldell in RS20/1/pp 174-5 1663. Broch – Tulloch of Achavarn – ND 085596.
Achavrole		1663	ND 1059		‘Tuo fields’ of Scotscaldell in RS20/1/pp 174-5 1663.
Lower Sour Upper Sour			ND 1060 ND 1160		Sower in RS20/1/p 26 1648. Broch (possible) Upper Sour – ND 108605.
Dorrery	(2d)	1559	ND 0754/0755	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Thomson(1822)	RHP 2776, 2777, 2780/1, 2781, 2778, 2779, 2784, 2782/1-2, 2783. See below.
Achkeepster			ND 1651	Thomson(1822)
Lieurary Farm	18d	1663	ND 0663/0762	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) RHP 1217	RS20/1/pp 174-5 1663. Lureri in Blaeu. See Achscrabster and also below.
Achscrabster		1663	ND 0863	RHP 1217	A ‘field’ of Leurarie in RS20/1/pp 174-5 1663.
Assery			ND 0662	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Thomson(1822) RHP 1217 RHP 1218/1 & 2	GD139/97/1 & 2 1628.
Skinnet			ND 1261	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Thomson(1822)	Skinenn in Blaeu. Broch (possible) Skinnet – ND 125613.
Sibster Sibster			ND 1559 ND 1460/1560	Thomson(1822)	Broch (possible) Sibster – ND 149601. Marked twice by OS. See below.
Achlibster	1d 2d?	1701	ND 1152	Thomson(1822)	Referred to in RS20/1/p 26 1648. RS21/1/325r 1701 gives 1d of ‘Neiyr’ (Nether) Achaliabster – which raises the possibility of another 1d of ‘Upper’. 1d in RS21/1/334v 1702.
Smerary			ND 1247	Thomson(1822)
Dalganachan	½d	1662	ND 0039	Thomson(1822)	GD112/58/14/21 1662. In Strathmore – upper reaches of Thurso river.
Rumsdale			NC 9840	Roy(FC) Thomson(1822)
Haspistal			c. ND 0361	Roy(FC)	Similar to Hawpistell of Retours (Caithness) (2) 1565? But that is more probably Harpsdale.
Dalnawillan (Lodge) Delnamullen	1d	1664	ND 0240	Thomson(1822)	RS20/1/pp 193-4 1664. Part of Strathmore. Also in RS21/1/326r 1701. Broch (possible) Dalnawillan Graveyard – ND 030409.
Achscoriclate	2¼d	1664	ND 0844	Roy(FC) Thomson(1822)	RS20/1/p 195 1664 gives as including Dalnaha, Badgillibrad and Benalisky. RS21/1/326r 1701 gives as including Dalnaha and Benalisky. See below.
Dalnaha			ND 0643	Roy(FC) Thomson(1822)	See below under Achscoriclate.
Balavreed			ND 1042	Thomson(1822)	Probably Badgillibrad. See below under Achscoriclate.
Ben Alisky/Benalisky			ND 0438/0538	Thomson(1822)	See below under Achscoriclate.
The Glutt			ND 0036	Roy(FC) Thomson(1822)
Aimster			ND 1163		RMS VII (1508) 1616 lists Aimstir under both Thurso and Halkirk/Skennand parishes. It may be another example of a large Norse farm split between parishes.
Total	120⅝d +				20+ davachs @ 6d per davach

 

RMS VII (1508) 1616 gives the following properties in Halkirk and Skennand: Bannaskirk, Achihorlie, Brawall, Achinreis, Skinand, the Sexpennyland, Aimstir, half of Sordaill, Howie, Gerstane, Caldellis, Sower, (the other) half of Sordaill, Lurarie and Forsie. (Dorarie, Halkirk and mill are added later in the document).

 

Braal

Henderson, Agriculture, Appendix p 52: “The gardens of Brawll, containing about seven acres, have long been celebrated as the greatest ornament of that neighbourhood”.

 

Gerston

Gerstane with Forsse in GD112/58/1/9 1553. Half and 2d Griestane in RMS V (1341) 1587 (with croft called the Boilcaik). Half and 2d Grestaine in Retours (Caithness) (22) 1644 (with croft called Bolcalie or Boilcaike). Half and 2d Gerstaine in RMS XI (53) 1661 (with croft called Bolbaik). Presumably this means ‘half’ + ‘2d of the other half’. 1d Greynstane in RMS III (1798) 1538 – but this may have been half the stated 2d. Boltcoyand probably = Boilcaik?

 

Dale Farm

GD96/5A 1476 implies the Earl of Caithness had (some of) Dale. 6d stipulated in GD96/63 c. 1554.

RMS VII (409.2) 1610 on original of 1583 and GD96/354 1610 give the Bishop of Orkney’s 6d.

RMS V (1977) 1591 shows the Bishop of Caithness had Thormesdeill, Eister Daill and Wester Daill.

Tormsdale was 1d (1701) or 2d (1802) and may have been reckoned part of (Wester) Dale.

Wester Dale was 8⅛d in RS20/1/pp 193-4 1664. It was 5d in GD 96/542 1636 on original of 1634. I have found no assessments for Easter Dale.

Dale’s total, therefore, was 6d (earldom), 6d (Bishop of Orkney) and at least 8⅛d (Bishop of Caithness) = 20⅛d minimum.

See also:

GD112/58/200/8 1597.

5⅝d of Waster Deall in RS21/1/324v 1701.

2d of Wasterdaill in RS21/1/325r 1701 – also 1d of Wasterdaill called Tormsdaill (qv) – so making 3d.

Henderson, Caithness Family History, pp 288-9, 291.

 

Broch (possible) Tulach Lochain Bhraseil, Dale – ND 128520.

Broch (possible) Tulach An Fhuarain, Dale – ND 128520.

Broch (possible) Dale Farm – ND 132530.

Broch (possible) Dale Farm, Cnoc Donn – ND 140533.

Broch (possible) Achlachan Moss – ND 141530.

Broch (possible) Tulach Buaile a’ Chroic – ND 129518. (Westerdale).

 

Tormsdale

Thormesdeill in RMS V (1977) 1591. ‘dland (i.e. pennyland) of Wasterdaill called Tormsdeall in reich’ in RS21/1/325r 1701.

 

Spittal

RMS IV (1705) 1565-6 on original of 1560, gives ‘Spittaill, Auchlone & Myrebestare anciently called Skittebriche’.

Henderson, Caithness Family History, p 19, gives 2d of Spittal in 1589.

RS37/3/59v 1624 gives half Spittell, then the lands of Myrbister called Skattiebrig, and that part called Auchowbrist. Also refers to another obulata (½d) of Spittell. RS37/3/24r 1624 gives spellings of Myrbuster, Skaithebrig and Auchyebrist.

RS20/1/p 26 1648 gives 3¾d of Spittill ‘presentlie possest in Tenendrie’. We may infer that another portion of Spittal was possessed ‘in property’ – i.e. in the landholder’s own possession.

 

In Macfarlane’s Geographical Collections, Vol. III, SHS, Edinburgh, 1908, pp 82-87 there is an account of Caithness written 1680-1681. It describes:

‘Spittle hill, of a long but easy Ascent; the place of Rendevous, when the Inhabitants design, or are commanded to any Expedition‘.

 

Henderson, Caithness Family History, p 88, refers to a muster at Spittal Hill at the time of the ’45 Rising.

 

Banniskirk

RS20/1/pp 163-4 1662 refers to 3d of Baneskirk plus a half-pennyland of the manse (Mains) land of Baneskirk.

 

Achcomhairle

OSA writes (p 46 footnote):

Near Spittle, … there is a farm called Achachoal, or Acha Choirl, (that is, the field of the meeting of council, or muster), where the people of Caithness, in former times, frequently assembled together.

The Gaelic word comhairle means ‘council’ so the place-name literally means ‘field of the council’. Although it has (now) a Gaelic name it seems very likely that this was actually, during the period of Norse control, the site of a ‘thing’ – rather like Dingwall (which means ‘assembly-field’.

 

Achanarras

RS21/1/326r 1701 gives 7d Achinnerras.

 

After discussing Spittal, OSA pp 46-7, writes:

Besides these, there were other houses of the same nature, for the accommodation of the same establishment, at a further distance; more particularly, there was a very large one, at a place on a rising ground to the west of the church, called Auchinarras, that is, the Field of the Altar. From all which it appears, that the revenues of the house, and the number of religious retained in it, were very considerable. There is a report prevalent in this country, that all the inhabitants of Caithness assembled there periodically, as a place of rendezvous, being the most elevated and centrical in the county, and that the church contained them all. … The lands about that house were about 130 years ago in the possession of the Murrays of Pennyland in this country, which makes me suspect that they were derived to that family from a Gilbert Murray, Bishop of Sutherland and Caithness, who made, in his day, a capital figure in church and state, and who, it is probable, got these lands either by purchase, or by donation from the church, after the extinction of that order and that house. It was annexed to the diocese of Orkney, and is still on the Exchequer books as a part of that diocese.

 

Support for the last statement can be found in Peterkin, Section III, pp 23-24, c. 1642:

Nota. Thair is sundrie lands in ye parochin of Halkrick, halden in blensch of the Bischops of Orknay, for service in convoyeing thame throw ye cuntrie of Caitnes, in qlk infeftments yr is several uther conditiones; ye most pairt of yr lands in possession of the Erle of Caitnes, and some in ye possessione of the Laird of Tackingae (Toftingall). See Bishop of Orkney text file.

 

Finally we have a statement from the NSA (p 68) which discusses Spittal Hill.

‘There is neither hill nor mountain remarkable for height in the parish, except the Spittal hill, partly in this parish and partly in the parish of Watten, and about three miles south-east from the church of Halkirk. … its height, however, is such that the greater part of the county may be seen from its summit. From time immemorial till within the last seven or eight years, it was customary to have an annual market on the very top of this hill. From the name of the market, the Jamesmas, it is evident that it had its origin during the prevalence of Popery in Scotland’.

 

What can we draw from these sources for Spittal, Achcomhairle and Achanarras?

That the Bishops of Orkney travelled south and north via Spittal, rather than down the east coast.

That Spittal, and the surrounding farms were gathering-places for the people of Caithness. That they met here for political, religious and commercial purposes. It is also probable that this was where they gathered for military levy.

There are a number of mediaeval castles in Caithness: Old Wick, Forse, Braal, Dirlot, Scrabster, Bucholie, Girnigoe, Ackergill, Castle Sinclair, Brims, Dounreay, Keiss, Barrogill, Berriedale, Dunbeath (and perhaps Knockinnon). With two exceptions (Braal, Dirlot) these occupy prominent coastal sites. From Norse times the greatest danger always came from the sea. With a land invasion there was forewarning. A hostile fleet could arrive overnight and unannounced. It is not surprising that when the communities of Caithness met together they would want to do so in a place where they were less exposed to danger. The area between Spittal and Skinnet may have been home to the first cathedral of Caithness, perhaps also its political, military and commercial centre. The location of Braal Castle reflects that importance.

 

Olgrinmore

OPS II, II p 760 gives the rent of Mekle Wlgrame in 1559 from which it appears the farm was likely to have been 6d. See text file ‘Inferring pennylands from rentals’.

 

Braygald

OSA Vol 19 No 1 p 53, 1797, refers to 10d of Braygald (i.e. The Heights of (or Upper) Caithness). Book of Mackay p 310 refers to a disposition of 1626 of the lands of Braegall in Caithness, viz., Dilred, Cattack, Dalmore, Knockdhu, Daluachrach, Dalreith etc. In Retours (Caithness) (33) 1680 the list is Dilrett, Cattack, Dalmore, Rhiffert, Knockdow, Carmuck, Dalvochrach.

 

Dirlot

RSS II (624) 1530. RMS III (2048) 1539, (3215) 1545-6. RSS IV (1374) 1551, (3060) 1555. GD112/58/1/7 1552. RMS IV (1635) 1565. Records of the Parliaments of Scotland (online), 19/4/1567 – NAS PA2/10, II, ff 22v-23r. RS36/2/96r 1606. RS37/1/158r 1619. RS37/1/159r 1619.

OSA p 53 (1797) has some interesting comments about Dirlot Castle and Braygald.

 

Càiteag

Catouch in the ‘Testament of Alexander Suthyrland of Dunbeath, 1456,’ printed in The Bannatyne Miscellany Vol. III, p 98, Edinburgh, 1855.

Cattak was a Mackay property from 1499 – RMS II (2506).

RSS II (624) 1530. RMS III (2048) 1539, (3215) 1545-6. RSS IV (1374) 1551, (3060) 1555. GD112/58/1/7 1552. RMS IV (1635) 1565. Records of the Parliaments of Scotland (online), 19/4/1567 – NAS PA2/10, II, ff 22v-23r. RS36/2/96r 1606. RS37/1/158r 1619. RS37/1/159r 1619.

 

Calder/Scotscalder

Miscellany Vol X pp 182, 184 & map between pp 186-7, contains important notes about the development of this name.

What is now Scotscalder Railway Station (ND 0956) is, confusingly, in Olgrinmore.

Calder was formerly Cathell so Norn Cathell is ‘North Calder’ whilst Scotscathell is ‘South Calder’.

RS20/1/pp 174-5 1663 is an important source. Norncaldell is 18d and includes the ‘field’ of Framset (Framside ND 0861). Scotscaldell apparently contained the ‘field’ of Achabarn (Achavarn ND 0859), the two ‘fields’ of Achabrall (Achavrole ND 1059), and a third ‘field’, the name of which is left blank in the document. The total valuation is also left blank although it would be reasonable to expect South Calder to have an assessment matching that of North Calder viz. 18d. Leurarie was also 18d and included the ‘field’ of Achscrabster (ND 0863).

RS20/1/p 196 1664 gives 8d of Nornecaldell.

 

Dorrery

RMS II (1404) 1478 on an original of 1455 refers to 10s of Dorrary (ex-bishopric). In fifteenth & sixteenth-century Caithness a pennyland was sometimes reckoned at 10s per annum rent so I think this probably implies 1d. However, in 1559 it gave 20s. See OPS II, II pp 612 & 751 (quoting Sutherland Charters). See also text file ‘Inferring pennylands from rentals’. Does the 1559 reference include the land referred to in 1455 or was it additional – making perhaps 3d in total? I also do not know if Calgary (ND 078565) was regarded as part of Dorrery.

See Macfarlane’s Geographical Collections Vol. I, pp 169-170: Description Thurso Parish in Catness Jun. 1726. See Shennan p 129 for parochial transfer to Halkirk.

OSA (Halkirk, 1797) p 18 writes:

‘Another hill should not here be omitted; because, though it is not in this parish, it is yet on the near confines of it, I mean the hill of Dorrary. Its distance from the Spittal Hill is about 12 or 13 miles due west. It is of considerable height, if taken from the shore or the church, of this parish. There is a good deal of arable ground about its base, which yields good crops of corn, a prodigious quantity of natural hay, and affords excellent pasture for a great number of cattle; it is, therefore, esteemed the best Highland farm in the country. It belongs to the parish of Thurso, though not within 4 miles of any part of that parish. It is a part of the bishop-lands, was a shieling belonging to the bishops of this county, and from this circumstance it derives its name’.

The bishops of Caithness had their castle at Scrabster in Thurso parish. If this was their favoured shieling that would explain why Dorrery remained part of Thurso parish. (Parishes were, of course, areas of religious administration). The last element of the name ‘-ery’ (or ‘-ary’) is a common suffix representing Gaelic àiridh or shieling.

 

Lieurary

Liber Insule Missarum pp L-LI gives ‘Larnyse’ in Caithness in 1400-1. I do not know if this is Lieurary but, apart from Latheron, can offer no alternatives.

Lowrarye in Acts of the Lords of Council in Civil Causes, Vol II (1496-1501), Edinburgh, 1918, p 481, 1500-01.

Lurare (Lieurary) appears in GD93/59 (or CWMF No 59) 1547-8 when it belonged to the family of Monro of Fowlis. It is there linked with Borroustoune (Borrowston, Reay parish) and they were valued at 20m ‘in time of peace’ (i.e. Old Extent). They were held of the laird of Inneruge (Inverugie).

RS20/1/pp 174-5 1663 gives Leurarie as 18d which included the ‘field’ of Achscrabster (ND 0863).

 

Sibster

Subist’ is referred to in an action between Sir Gilbert Keth of Inverugy and the Earl of Sutherland in 1494 – ADC pp 345-6. Subister is named in 1549 in OPS II, II p 760 (quoting RSS) as ex-Cheyne lands. Unfortunately this name is given to more than one place in Caithness. See also Sibster in Wick parish and Sibmister in Olrig parish. RMS VI (1758) 1606 gives Subuster-brawle (i.e. Sibster by Braal).

Thomson (1822) marks Subster on the parish boundary between Thurso and Halkirk.

 

Achscoriclate

RS20/1/p 195 1664 gives 2¼d of the lands of Strathmore called Achascoriclet and Delnaha and also Badgillibrad and the shealing called Benalaskie.

RS21/1/326r 1701 gives 2¼d of the lands of Strathmore called Achascoriclet and Delnaha with the toun and shealing called Benalisky.

2¼d = ⅛ ounceland.

 

 

Broch Cairn Merk/Carn na Mairg – ND 133510.

Broch (possible) Leosag – ND 116538.

Broch (possible) Tulach Mor – ND 148494.

Broch (possible) Tulach Beag – ND 145498.

Broch (possible) ‘Sithean Harraig’ – ND 096568.

Broch Knock Glass – ND 054635.

Broch (possible) Achigremach – ND 048634.