Norman Tulloch wrote: > Does the picture on this page show the manse that you're referring to, > Bruce? > http://www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/photogallery/gallery46.htm Thanks for the information Norman. The manse & kirk in the photograph are at <http://tinyurl.com/2g7r4u> but the old manse to which I was referring is a couple of miles further north, not far from Whitehall Farm at <http://tinyurl.com/3y7l8e> The photograph (top left) shows the CofS manse and the old kirk on Stronsay. This manse is still used by the minister (Rev Dr Jennifer George) but the kirk was demolished in the 1950s and rebuilt as Moncur Memorial Church. The smaller building attached to the rear of the old kirk is still intact and is now the church hall; there's a photograph of the new (1955) kirk at <http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stronsay/moncurchurch> -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney <www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont> "99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name"

Bruce, In the earlier Statistical Account of 1791-99 there is the following (spelling and punctuation as in the original): "A mineral spring, (or rather three adjacent springs of Chalybeate water, all of different degrees of strength,) is to be found among the rocks, on the East coast of the island of Stronsay. The water, clear as chrystal, not unpleasant, is full of fixed air, as may easily be discovered by any who drink some glasses of it; for they will soon find themselves affected in the same way, as if they had drank some fine brisk bottled small bear." And then, in a lengthy footnote: "This spring is called the Well of Kildinguie. Tradition says, that it was held in such high repute when the Orkney Islands belonged to the Crowne of Denmark, (above three hundred years ago,) that people of the first rank, came from Denmark and Norway to drink the waters. Towards the south east, at about two miles distance, the greatest part of the way consists of a flat sand along the sea shore; there is a place called Guiyidn, on the rocks of which, that species of seaweed called dulse, is to be found in abundance; which weed, is considered by many to be a delicious and wholesome morsel... This spring is at the distance of about half a mile from the minister's manse,in a pleasant healthy situation. There is a large commodious house in the neighbourhood, built about forty years ago, for the accommodation of a gentleman with a large family, one of the heritors, and at that time minister of this parish; but his heirs have removed from this island. This house, therefore, might be easily fitted up, and would be found very commodious for sea-bathing or water drinking quarters, for those whose constitutions require the application of such harmless, safe and useful remedies." I don't know if you recognise the place-names of the Well of Kildinguie or Guiyidn (it could just possibly be Cuiyidn). Of course, these names may now be spelled in a different way or else have just disappeared from the knowledge of Stronsay people. Nevertheless, I wonder if the "large commodious house", once occupied by the parish minister, could be what you're now referring to as a manse? If so, it was presumably built in the 1750s, since the Statistical Account says it was built "about forty years ago". However, now that I've had a look at an Ordnance Survey map from 1895, I think I see the manse you're referring to, just south of Whitehall: http://tinyurl.com/yo5kt7 If that's the one, then it isn't the "large commodious house" and I've no idea when it was built, but it seems that the 1791-99 Statistical Account does refer to it. I'm becoming somewhat confused by all these various manses, though! (You'll also see the Well of Kildinguie marked on the map. Possibly you might like to drink its waters, and then try a wholesome and delicious morsel of dulse?) Could the "large commodious house" be Hunton? I've no idea what it looks like, but it does seem to be an old house. Norman Tulloch

Norman Tulloch wrote: > I don't know if you recognise the place-names of the Well of Kildinguie > or Guiyidn (it could just possibly be Cuiyidn). Of course, these names > may now be spelled in a different way or else have just disappeared from > the knowledge of Stronsay people. Nevertheless, I wonder if the "large > commodious house", once occupied by the parish minister, could be what > you're now referring to as a manse? If so, it was presumably built > in the 1750s, since the Statistical Account says it was built "about > forty years ago". > > However, now that I've had a look at an Ordnance Survey map from 1895, I > think I see the manse you're referring to, just south of Whitehall: > http://tinyurl.com/yo5kt7 > > If that's the one, then it isn't the "large commodious house" and I've > no idea when it was built, but it seems that the 1791-99 Statistical > Account does refer to it. I'm becoming somewhat confused by all these > various manses, though! (You'll also see the Well of Kildinguie marked > on the map. Possibly you might like to drink its waters, and then try a > wholesome and delicious morsel of dulse?) > > Could the "large commodious house" be Hunton? I've no idea what it looks > like, but it does seem to be an old house. Kildinguie or Guiyidn - see Sigurd's webpage at <http://www.orkneyjar.com/tradition/sacredwater/kildinguie.htm>. The old manse is large - three floors with several quite large outbuildings - so it could well be the "large commodious house". The present Hunton farm buildings are quite large but most are comparitively modern and the farmhouse is nowhere near as large as the old manse. -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney <www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont> "99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name"