Rosemarkie
Associated Chapels: Kincurdie {NH 73_58_}.
Parish Church: OS Ref: NGR NH 737576 H.E.S. No: NH75NW 7.00 Dedication: St Moluag
This parish, extending from near Fortrose to the burn of Ethie, has in its southern part a sandy coast including the Ness of Chanonry which is about a mile in length, and in its northern part a bold rocky coast diversified by perpendicular precipices and wild ravines. From the shore it slopes at some parts to the top of the Mulbuy, and in the interior it is generally arable.
The early bishops who operated in the territory which became known as Ross, often used the Early Church muinntir at Rosemarkie as their base. The foundation of this community is usually ascribed to St Moluag who died in 592 and Rosemarkie represents one of the several places identified as his burial-place. St Moluag's muinntir is thought to have been taken over, possibly in 716, by St Boniface (or Curitan).
A significant number of cross-slabs and sculptured-stones have been discovered at this site indicating that this was, indeed, one of the most important centers of the Early Church in northern Scotland. Some bear Pictish symbols indicating their great antiquity.
Later in this early era of the Church we encounter a number of Bishops of Rosemarkie (which would be better read as "Bishops at Rosemarkie"). It is pure speculation that the church here was ever a 'cathedral' in the true sense of the word. That term is best reserved for a later era after the establishment of the Diocese of Ross and the appointment of territorial bishops along the lines of the Roman Church. This happened some time between 1124 and 1128, during the reign of King David I. In the days of the Early Church bishops were itinerant, moving from community to community and tribe to tribe as need arose. They were known by the term episcopi vagantes.
One of the succession of old churches here was repaired in 1735 when some 'stone coffins of rude workmanship' were discovered. The present church was built in 1821.
A Chapel of Kincurdie is mentioned in 1615 and 1641 as existing near Kincurdie House. But nothing further is known of this chapel which may have been of post-Reformation date. A local woman is recorded as saying that, "she had heard tell, too, of a chapel near the top of the driveway leading to Kincurdie house, where the drive skirts the field still known as the Chapel Field, only that chapel was said to have belonged to Curitan, another name for Boniface." If this is true then this chapel would be of considerable antiquity and, therefore, importance.
{There is a wonderful article full of more snippets of local 'lore' at a http://www.rossandcromartyheritage.org/Community/Fortrose-and-Rosemarkie/Heritage/History/WRI-project.aspx}.
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