Loch Tay. Engraving from southeast of Priory on Priory Island. Titled 'Loch Tay Priory. Upon an island situated in Loch Tay, in the shire of Perth, was a Cell or Priory belonging to Scone, founded by ...

Description Loch Tay. Engraving from southeast of Priory on Priory Island. Titled 'Loch Tay Priory. Upon an island situated in Loch Tay, in the shire of Perth, was a Cell or Priory belonging to Scone, founded by King Alexander I in the year 1122, for canons regular of St. Augustine. In this place died Sybilla, Queen of Alexander I and was here buried. She was natural daughter of Henry I, King of England. In the neighbouring village of Ceanmore, or Kenmore, is held an annual fair, called the Fair of the Holy Women; the tradition is that the nuns of Loch Tay had liberty to expose at this time the work which they had done in the intervals of their devotion during the preceding twelvemonth, and that the establishment was for twenty-five. This is contrary to what is asserted by Spotteswood, and very different from the most respectable authority; but I give it as the general belief of that part of the country, and submit whether the curcumstance of Queen Sybilla dying and being buried there does not confirm the idea of its being possessed by nuns. There is a kiind of causeway which reaches from the island to the nortyh shore, which probably led to the garden and orchard upon the side of the opposite hill, hanging over the water, with a fine exposure to the south. This beautiful spot, with a wide-extended country round, is the property of the Earl of Breadalbane. This view is from the S. E. 1788. [Adam de Cardonnell, "Picturesque Antiquities of Scotland." 1788.]

Date 1788

Collection General Collection

Catalogue Number RAB 292/223

Category Print Room

Copies DP 097526

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1128262