Kinnettes

Associated Chapels: Tollie {NGR NH 51_55_}.

Parish Church: OS Ref: NGR NH 480582 H.E.S. No: NH45NE 11 Dedication: St John the Baptist

This parish, now united with Fodderty, seems to have included the southern and smaller portion of the united parish, extending either from Pefferay or Knockfarril on the north, and from the Craig-an-fhiach on the west, to Brahan and the river Connon on the south and east, and thus including the small Loch Usie. [O.P.S., Vol. 2.2, p.501]

Nothing is known of the church of Kinnettes prior to the Reformation, but the name of the spring (see below), may, perhaps, give a clue as to the dedication of the now vanished building. OPS Says that, "the old church, of which the cemetery still remains, stood to the west of Knockfarril {NH 500578}. [O.P.S., Vol., 2.2, p.501]

The parsonage along with that of Suddy, was assigned to the Precentor of Ross in the reconstitution of the chapter of Ross, which was confirmed by Pope Alexander IV in 1255/6. At some indeterminate date before the 16th C however, the two parsonages passed to the Chancellor of Ross, who appears to have exchanged them with the Precentor, who in turn received the benefice of Kilmorack. Both parsonage and vicarage fruits were thus annexed, the cure being served by a vicar pensioner.

On the north-east of Knockfarril, the hill to the north of the parish church, there is a spring named after St John the Baptist {NGR NH 514589}. Until about 1800, it was believed to possess curative qualities, and was frequented by health-seekers, who left pieces of red cloth on the neighbouring bushes as votive offerings.

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