During my research of the Barclays in Scotland I found information relating to a Battle that was fought called the battle of the Bloody Pits (or Pots) that took place in Banffshire in 1004. The site was near Gamrie ( or Gardenstown) on the coast not far from MacDuff. The wee kirk that was built there susequently had associaton with the Barclays of Towie (or Tollie) my ancestors. During my recent visit to Scotland I went to this wee kirk and the Gamrie and attached are some photographs that I took.
I also have an article about the battle that I will send to any interested member. It is in PDF.
Andy Barclay FSA Scot.
The ruined church of St Johns; the ruins of former parish church dedicated to St John the Evangelist said to be founded in 11thC. The present church has been built in two periods at least, the east end probably early 16thC and the rest 17thC; measures 28.75m long by 4.72m wide; rubble built, gable ends; wall and gable remain to roof height; ambry in E wall; 16thC Barclay of Tolly monument; 17thC onwards monuments in churchyard; fell in to ruin mid 19thC when new parish church built in 1830. Repointed in 1961. In 1004 after a battle with the Danes the battle of the Bloody Pits (or pots) trophy skulls were brought here where they remained till fairly recently in a niche in the wall, Bloodymire (NJ 726 635) where Barbara Bruce lived is a possible site for the battle. One of the skulls went to the Banff museum. Arial photos of Bloodymire farm show crop marks of pits. An entry in E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. says " "Kirk of Skulls."Gamrie church in Banffshire: so called because the skulls and other bones of the Norsemen who fell in the neighbouring field, called the Bloody Pots, were built into its walls. " presumably relates to St Johns and not the newer 1830 Gamrie church.
HI Rab, I have sent the information that I compiled directly to your personal e-mail.
I had difficulty sending this via this forum site. I find this site at times not too user friendly. Maybe that is why there are only a few of us using it !!!
Hey Andy, thanks , I received it and enlarged it a wee bit and it read perfectly, I don't seem to be having any problems with this site, but then again after 102 posts I should not be, I always check my posts and if there is a problem i use the "edit' facility and correct it; the best thing about the site is the ability to share photos and the different sections we can use, what problems are you having if you don't mind me asking, Lang may Yer lum Reek, Rab.
-- Edited by Rabbie Downunder at 04:14, 2007-06-14 Photo Looking out of a jets window at another jet.
-- Edited by Rabbie Downunder at 06:56, 2007-06-14
Hi Rab, Glad that you got the info re the battle. The forum is ok for sending general messages such as this one but, it would be more flexible if PDF's could be attached. Sending photographs is good but again there is no way to preview the photograph once it is attached. I laso note that there are only a few of us making use of the forum.
G'Day again Andy, I am still learning about PDF's so I can't comment, with regard to previewing your photos, I agree it would be good if you could, the only way around it is to submit the post with the photos attached, if you don't like any of them or they are not the right ones you can go to EDIT and remove the photo and replace it, Rab.
My only complaint with the photo attachments is that on one or two occasions whoever posted the photos gave no detail of what the photo was about or where it was. To me that photo is useless (even if it is a great photo).
