Strathspey Deanery

Inverallan

 

Parish Church:   OS Ref: NGR NJ   027260    H.E.S. No: NJ02NW 4      Dedication: St. Futach.

Associated Chapels: Congash {NGR: NJ 058262}.


As a consequence of its antiquity and the fact that even 'modern' scholars seem not to have been endowed with the skill of accurate spelling, the name of the township and parish has, over time, seen a number of permutations and combinations! In the records of the local laird, the Chief of Grant, we find the following variations - Innerairin, Inuerallem, Inuerellam, Inveralyane, Inverariane, and Inverellain, - and we might be corect in supposing that others exist.

The buried walls and foundations of this church were found at the start of the winter of 1888 when the graveyard was being extended. The remains were of a building some 80ft. long and 21ft. wide and it was found to have been divided into two portions of unequal length by a cross-wall of less substantial proportions. In 1926 there was a granite boulder with a basin cut into it, which stood at the graveyard entrance. There was also a much-weathered 7th-century Pictish symbol stone, made of blue slate, which was built into the surrounding graveyard wall (but which may now have been removed). In addition, there is also a free-standing Early Christian stone, which has a latin cross incised on each face. It has been known variously as the Inverallan Cross, the Priest's Stone, and Futach's Stone, commemorating St. Fiacre (or Futach), a 7th-century Irish saint. A holy well called St Futach's Well stood west of the road along the Spey, a short distance from the graveyard.

 

Photo the Inverallan Cross.

Above: The Inverallan Cross or Priest's Stone
© Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba.

 

The first written record of this church is found in 1230AD but the presence of the cross-incised stone would suggest that there has been a settlement here from much more ancient times. The name Innerallian (or Inverallan) derives from the fact that the Craggan Burn, which flows into the River Spey beside the church, was anciently known as the Allan. There was a strong fort at this confluence with the Spey, which was built supposedly by the Chief of Grant.1

"… the Church of Inveralan standeth on the west bank of the river. In the 13th-century, about the year 1230, this Church, and probably [the] lands about it, pertained to Walter de Moravia son of Freskyn de Moravia of Duffus. And anno 1236 King Alexander II excambed [exchanged] with Andrew, bishop of Moray, the three Davachs of Fynlarg (near the church of Inveralan) for the forest[s] of Cawood and Logynsythenach in Brae Moray."2 Originally, Walter's gift was to be for the upkeep of the cathedral, but, in time, it became one of the mensal churches of the Bishops of Moray.3

In the excambio mentioned above, the bishop gave the king the forests of Logynsythenach which, in later times was known as Logiefythenach - this is Edinkillie, called Glenernie on older Ordnance Survey maps {NJ 019465} - and Cawood - which would appear to be Carnach {NJ 013489}. The king was looking for hunting ground or deer forest, and these two have ever been renowned as such. In the exchange the bishop received the three dabhachs of Fynlarg - Finlarig {NH 994253} and Upper Finlarig {NH 992258} which are still named as such on modern maps, lying to the west of Dulnain Bridge, immediately east of Muckrach Castle. The name of the third dabhach does not seem to have survived. Muckrach castle was the first possession of the Grants of Rothiemurchus, and was built in 1598.

The church of Inverallan was united with that of Advie in 1593, and also with Cromdale in 1618. The parish church was moved to the township of Grantown in 1816. A new church building was erected here by Caroline Stuart, Countess of Seafield, in memory of her husband, the 7th Earl and 26th Chief, who died 18 February 1881, and her son, the 8th Earl and 27th Chief who died 31 March 1886.4

 

Photo bronze hand-bell at Insh  Photo of the Supposed font at Insh

Above: The much-weathered Symbol Stone, Inverallan 1. © Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba.

 

Photo of the Supposed font at Inverallan

Above: The 'Font' in Inverallan churchyard.
© Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba.

 

On the south side of the Spey, on the farm of Congash {NJ 058262} two Sculptured Stones have been found, one [Congash 2] bearing a unique helmet-shaped object which seems to have been pierced by an arrow  {NJ 05792 26204}. In addition, a cross-incised stone has been found nearby at {NJ 0579 2621} [Congash 3]. (For further details regarding Congash see the list of chapels below.)

 

 


Some suggested lands in the medieval parish of Innerallian.
No. Name Including OS Grid Ref. Extent Notes
1. Killdreke 1 dabhach Dreggie
Auchchosnich
Gortown c. NJ 015288
East Dreggie c. NJ 022286
Rycorrich "With croft of Lyn M'Grigor"
West Dreggie
2. Gaigh 1 dabhach
Kirktown of Inverallan NJ 022264
East Crannach
Kyllintrae
Laggan c.NJ 003257
3. Glenbegg & Craggan c.NJ 017261 1 dabhach
Shendale
Bellichoule
Allendow
Reichraggan
Tornabirak
4. Tullochgorm NH 969213
Ochunoir NH 963219
Broomward
Balvaddan NH 967222
Balnacruie NH 972224
Croftnahawn NH 981221
5. Clurie NH 970234 1 dabhach
Drynach NH 974233
Croftdow NH 976229
Croftjames NH 971228
Dalnaan NH 977247
Dalloupack
Presintoul
Torsparden NH 970233
Croftnahawn
6. Ovir Finlarg c. NH 983251 1 dabhach Muckerach [Chiefs of Grant, iii., 290, p. 366]
7. Mid Finlarg 1 dabhach
8. Nethir Finlarg 1 dabhach Bellintomb
Six parts of Bellintomb NJ 005246
Bellinhuan
Laggan NJ 001256
9. Curr 1 dabhach
Glengown c.NH 991243
Tiribeg
Corrychirkle
Gayth half dabhach
Drumullie & Toribegg half dabhach Half of Tullochgorm
Wester Curr half dabhach 
Glenbeg half dabhach
Information from Ross (2003).90 Locations by David at Cushnie Enterprises.


Charter Evidence .

1224-42 Sir Walter de Moravia grants the church of Innerallian to the Church of the Holy Trinity of Elgin (Elgin Cathedral). "Walterus de Moravia, miles, omnibus amicis fuis et hominibus falutem • Sciant prefentes et futuri me dediffe • conceffiffe et hac prefenti carta mea confirmaffe Deo et ecclefie Sancte Trinitatis de Elgyn in puram et perpetuam elemofinam • ad fuftentationem fabrice ejufdem ecclefie in perpetuum • ecclefiam de Inueralien cum omnibus juftis pertinentiis fuis • Quare volo et concedo ut capitulum predicte ecclefie de Elgyn teneat et polfideat predictam ecclefiam de Inueralyen ad fabricam dicte ecclefie de Elgyn in perpetuum • adeo libere et quiete • plenarie et honorifice ficut aliqua ecclefia in toto regno Scotie ab aliquo capitulo liberius • quietius • plenius et honorificentius tenetur et poffidetur • Teftibus Andrea epifcopo Moravienfi • Comite de Ros • domino Symone vicario de Dundurkus • domino Radulpho capeflano epifcopi Moravienfis • Alexandro vicecomite de Elgyn • Symone de Hogefton • Henrico templario • et aliis."3

1367-1362 Charter by Patrick the Grant, Lord of Stratharthoc, to his son-in-law William Pilche, burgess of Inverness, of the dabhach of Kildreke and the half dabhach of Glenbeg within his lands of Inueralyane.5

1389 Thomas Earl of Moray is charged with the custody and defence of all of the Bishop of Moray's lands against 'malefactors' and especially the 'Highlanders' (Kethranicos) and others.6

1453 (31 August) Precept of Sasine from Thomas, Earl of Moray, in favour of John le Hay of Mayn, in the half of the townships of Inuerariane, Glenbeg, and Drekky, with their rightful belongings, all in the Earldom of Moray and Regality of Ballokhill. Given at Elgin.7

1541 (7 May) In the Chapter House of Elgin Cathedral, Patrick Hepburn, bishop of Moray and perpetual Commendator of Scone Abbey, gives a chater recording that he had given and let heritably in feu-farm to William Grant, son of John Grant of Freuchy, and William's heirs, his (the bishop's) lands of Vuirfinlarg alias Mukroth, Midfinlarg, and Nedirfinlarg, with their pertinents, in the barony of Strathspey, regality of Spyny, and shire of Elgin and Forres.8

 


Other Churches and Chapels in the parish .

Congash {NJ 05799 26219} There has been a chapel here, with a graveyard, since ancient times. It is still known as Parc-an-caipel. The collection of sculptured stones (x2) and cross-incised stone (x1) is breathtaking not only because of their excellent state of preservation but also because they exhibit some uniquely stunning designs.

WE ARE CURRENTLY WRITING A MORE DETAILED STUDY OF CONGASH AND ITS CHAPEL.

WATCH THIS SPACE!  (02/11/2024)

 


Parish Clergy :

Press HERE to display entries from the Northern Fasti.

 


References .

1. Fraser, Chiefs of Grant, I, xxxiv.   Return to Text

2. Shaw (1882) i, p.228.   Return to Text

3. R.E.M. no. 95, p.111.   Return to Text

4. Crammond (1897), p.7.   Return to Text

5. Fraser (1883), iii., no. 15, p.10.   Return to Text

6. R.E.M., no. 170, p. 201.   Return to Text

7. Fraser (1883), iii., no. 29, p.22.   Return to Text

8. Fraser (1883), iii., no. 290, p. 366.   Return to Text

90. Ross (2003), ii., p. 139.   Return to Text


Bibliograhy .

Anderson, G. and Anderson, P. (1842) Guide to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland Including Orkney and Zetland. Edinburgh. https://archive.org/details/guidetohighlands00andeiala

Barrow, G.S. (1988) 'Badenoch & Strathspey, 1130-1312', in Northern Scotland, Vol. 8.

Bliss, W.H. et al (1896) Calendar of entries in the Papal registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland: Petitions to the Pope, Volume I, A.D. 1342-1419, London: H.M. Stationery Office. [C.P.P., i.] https://archive.org/details/calendarentries00blisgoog

Chalmers, G. (1807) Caledonia or an Account, Historical and Topgraphic, of North Britain; from the most ancient to the present times: with a Dictionary of Places, Edinburgh: A. Constable. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=_JiPwwEACAAJ&pg=PA115&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=2#v=onepage&q=Cromdale&f=false

Clancy, T.O. (1995) 'Annat in Scotland', Edinburgh: Innes Review, No. 46., Vol. 2., pp. 91-115.

Cramond, Wm. (1897) Guide to Grantown and District, Dundee: John Leng & Co..

Fawcett, R. and Oram, R. (2014) Elgin Cathedral and the Diocese of Moray, Edinburgh, Historic Scotland.  Return to Text.

Forsyth, W. (1900) In the Shadow of Cairngorm: Chronicles of the united parishes of Abernethy and Kincardine, Inverness: The Northern Counties Publishing Company, Ltd. https://ia601605.us.archive.org/25/items/inshadowcairngo00forsgoog/inshadowcairngo00forsgoog.pdf

Fraser, Wm. (1883) The Chiefs of Grant, Edinburgh. Published by the Grant family in 3 volumes.

Fraser-Mackintosh of Drummond, C. (1866) Dunachton Past and Present, Inverness: Printed at the Advertiser Office. (Only fourty copies were printed.)https://archive.org/details/dunachtonpastpre1866mack

Innes, C. (1837) Registrum Episcopatus Moraviensis: e pluribus codicibus consarcinatum virca A.D. MCCCC, cum continuatione diplomatum recentiorum usque ad A.D. MDCVVIII, Edinburgh: for the Bannatyne Club. [R.E.M.]

MacDonald, A. (1973) '"Annat" in Scotland: A Provisional Review', Scottish Studies, 17 (1973), pp. 135-146.

Mackinlay, J.M. (1914) Ancient Church Dedications in Scotland: Volume 2, Non-Scriptural Dedications, Edinburgh: David Douglas.

Mitchell, J. & Noble, G. (2017) 'The Monumental Cemeteries of Northern Pictland', Medieval Archaeology, vol. 61:1, p. 1-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00766097.2017.1296031

Reid, W. (1895) Grantown and the Adjacent Country: A Guide to Strathspey, Grantown: Angus Stuart. (Third Edition, Revised).

Shaw, L., (1882) The History of the Province of Moray, Glasgow: Hamilton, Adams, & Co. New Edition in three volumes.

 

Theses.

Ross, A.D. (2003) The Province of Moray, c.1000-1230, unpublished PhD thesis presented to Aberdeen University, 2 volumes.

 

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