Kilbride, Skye
Encyclopedia
Kilbride
is a small township
in Strath Swordale, Isle of Skye, Scotland
.
The township is situated in a pocket of fertile lime-rich soil, between the Red Hills to the north and Beinn an Dubhaich and the Suidhisnis peninsula to the south. It has been inhabited since ancient times; there is a standing stone (Clach na h-Annait), the site of an ancient chapel (or annat) and an ancient well (Tobar na h-Annait) with a stone cover. Newly-wed brides were, according to local tradition, brought to the well to ensure fertility.
On-going archaeological excavations since 2003 at High Pasture Cave, on the common grazing east of Kilbride, have revealed continuous use of the site from roughly 700BC to 120AD, for possibly ceremonial purposes centred in and around a large burnt mound
which had the cave at its heart. Valuable artefacts, including pottery (some of it Roman
in origin), a spearhead and components of an ancient lyre
, had been carefully placed on the floor of the cave. At the end of its period of constant use, the cave was carefully back-filled and the remains of two human beings, one woman and one child, were interred over the intrance.
The surrounding landscape is exceptionally rich in iron age
roundhouses
, several of which were surveyed in 2010.
Another ancient well, Tobar Tà, features in a prophecy by Kenneth MacKenzie, the Brahan Seer
, who was alive in the 17th century:
"That well, it's Tobar Tà, a well where a battle will be fought, and Torquil of the three Torquils shall be killed, on a wet day at Tobar Tà". Tobar Tà, now just a small boggy area on the common grazing, is about a kilometer east of the township, next to the Broadford
road.
In 1745-1746, three men from the township took part in the Jacobite Rebellion, fighting for Prince Charles Edward Stuart in the regiment formed by Iain Dubh MacKinnon
, chief of the MacKinnons of Strath. Their names (anglicised from the Gaelic) were: John MacInnes, Alexander MacLean, and William Ross.
Brigid
In Irish mythology, Brigit or Brighid was the daughter of the Dagda and one of the Tuatha Dé Danann. She was the wife of Bres of the Fomorians, with whom she had a son, Ruadán....
is a small township
Township (Scotland)
In Scotland a crofting township is a group of agricultural smallholdings holding in common a substantial tract of unimproved upland grazing...
in Strath Swordale, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
The township is situated in a pocket of fertile lime-rich soil, between the Red Hills to the north and Beinn an Dubhaich and the Suidhisnis peninsula to the south. It has been inhabited since ancient times; there is a standing stone (Clach na h-Annait), the site of an ancient chapel (or annat) and an ancient well (Tobar na h-Annait) with a stone cover. Newly-wed brides were, according to local tradition, brought to the well to ensure fertility.
On-going archaeological excavations since 2003 at High Pasture Cave, on the common grazing east of Kilbride, have revealed continuous use of the site from roughly 700BC to 120AD, for possibly ceremonial purposes centred in and around a large burnt mound
Burnt mound
A burnt mound is an archaeological feature consisting of a mound of shattered stones and charcoal, normally with an adjacent hearth and trough. The trough could be rock-cut, wood-lined or clay-lined to ensure it was watertight...
which had the cave at its heart. Valuable artefacts, including pottery (some of it Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
in origin), a spearhead and components of an ancient lyre
Lyre
The lyre is a stringed musical instrument known for its use in Greek classical antiquity and later. The word comes from the Greek "λύρα" and the earliest reference to the word is the Mycenaean Greek ru-ra-ta-e, meaning "lyrists", written in Linear B syllabic script...
, had been carefully placed on the floor of the cave. At the end of its period of constant use, the cave was carefully back-filled and the remains of two human beings, one woman and one child, were interred over the intrance.
The surrounding landscape is exceptionally rich in iron age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
roundhouses
Roundhouse
A roundhouse is a building used by railroads for servicing locomotives. Roundhouses are large, circular or semicircular structures that were traditionally located surrounding or adjacent to turntables...
, several of which were surveyed in 2010.
Another ancient well, Tobar Tà, features in a prophecy by Kenneth MacKenzie, the Brahan Seer
Brahan Seer
The Brahan Seer, known in his native Scottish Gaelic as Coinneach Odhar. Some have questioned whether he really existed at all. He is thought to have come from Uig on lands owned by the Seaforths, and to have been a Mackenzie, although both these details are in themselves questioned...
, who was alive in the 17th century:
- Tobar sin, is Tobar Tà
- Tobar aig an cuirear blàr;
- Marbhar Torcuil nan trì Torcuil
- Air latha fliuch aig Tobar Tà.
"That well, it's Tobar Tà, a well where a battle will be fought, and Torquil of the three Torquils shall be killed, on a wet day at Tobar Tà". Tobar Tà, now just a small boggy area on the common grazing, is about a kilometer east of the township, next to the Broadford
Broadford
Broadford may refer to:Places*Broadford, County Clare, Republic of Ireland*Broadford, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland*Broadford, Skye, Scotland*Broadford, Pennsylvania, United States*Broadford, Victoria, Australia...
road.
In 1745-1746, three men from the township took part in the Jacobite Rebellion, fighting for Prince Charles Edward Stuart in the regiment formed by Iain Dubh MacKinnon
MacKinnon
MacKinnon or Mackinnon is a surname , and may refer to* Bob MacKinnon* Brian James MacKinnon* Catharine MacKinnon* Dave MacKinnon* Ellen MacKinnon* Francis MacKinnon* Gillies MacKinnon* James MacKinnon...
, chief of the MacKinnons of Strath. Their names (anglicised from the Gaelic) were: John MacInnes, Alexander MacLean, and William Ross.