Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (Volume 10)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1875. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... I. NOTICE OF AN OGHAM INSCRIPTION IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ABOYNE, ABERDEENSHIRE. By W. F. SKENE, Esq., LL.D., F.S.A. Scot. A cast of the Aboyne stone having been presented to the Museum by the Marquis of Huntly, an oppportunity of deciphering its Ogham inscription has been thereby afforded, and the results are communicated to the Society in the following letter to the Secretary by Mr VV. F. Skene: -- My Dear Stuart, --I examined the Aboyne stone on Friday, and copied the inscription. The Ogham on the edge is very difficult to read. The inner Ogham is very distinct, and there is little doubt about tho reading. Applying the same alphabet I used for the Newton stone (see vol. v. Plate xx.), and reading from top to bottom, it makes-- brr oudd a foi nn am, but reading from bottom to top, it makes-- m a q q oi t a 11 u o r r h. The well known Maqqoi or Maqi for filii shows that this is right. If you look at the list of the Pictish kings in the Pictish Chronicle, you will . see that this name first appears as Talore, then Talorg, then Tallorcen, and finally Talorgen. This stone gives the transition from first to second. The line is this, so that you can test it for yourself-- m a ij n oi t a 1 1 u o r r )i / I 111 o 111 I n Ii III II //III Hill 1 The other line, if read from top to bottom, gives an impossible reading, but if read from bottom to top, may read-- n ea h h t 1 a r o b b ai t c ea n H e f f, )(' 1 'nl#- ill1 )( urn 1 ill in Neahhtla--a local form of Neachtan, thus, Saint Neachtan (8 Jany, Festology) is locally Nathalen and Nachlan. Ilubbait--compare Robaid, immolavit, in Book of Deer. Ceanneff is Kinneff, a church in the Mearns. Between castle and church is St Arnty's kill (Stat. Ace), said to be St Arnold's cell; but Keeves shows that A...