Archaeology Notes

Event ID 653748

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/653748

ND15NE 7 167 556

(ND 167 556) 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 New Statistical Account (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; T Torfaeus 1866; Name Book 1871; Name Book 1872; H Scott et al 1915-61.