Scalan News
Official Voice of the Scalan Association. Nov.2008 No 37
Presholme
in the Enzie
The
history of Presholme stretches back about three hundred years and gives an indication of
the history of the whole northern district.
The
reformation was carried out over in the fifteen hundreds and by the seventeen hundreds the
Catholic Church in Scotland had few resources and a chronic shortage of priests. The
majority of the people in the north of the country were Catholics, the majority living in
the Glenlivet area and The Enzie.
Presholme
is in a central position in the Enzie; one derivation of Presholme was priest’s home
conjuring up a nice secure area inhabited by the Catholic clergy. The true meaning is
Presh- the bush and tom- the hill.
The
acts of 1609 and 1625were passed by the Scottish parliament with the intention of severing
the arteries of the Catholic Church. These did not have the desired effect in Scotland so
in 1687 William III issued an edict for the seizure and banishment of all Jesuit and
trafficking papists which resulted in large numbers of Catholics fleeing Britain. In
Northern Scotland priests and practising Catholics went ‘underground’. Priests
travelled incognito holding Mass when and where they were able; back rooms, barns and
secluded woods. Their followers assumed aliases; in the Scalan area, John Stuart alias
More, Alex McAlly alias Stuart, John Roy became Grant, William Stuart was known as Bane to
name a few.
The
Catholic Duke of Gordon owned extensive lands in the north and was very active in the
Stuart cause. It was from the old Gordon Castle at Focabers that the ‘the Gudemen of
the Bog’ or ‘Cocks of the North’ marched to Flodden in 1513, Pinkie in 1547
and Sherrifmuir in 1715 under the Earls, later marquis of Huntly who was created Duke of
Gordon in 1684.
The
Duke shielded his people from the worst of the Penal Laws so it is hardly surprising that
when Bishop Nicholson was released from prison in 1697 he chose to live at Presholme only
five miles from Gordon Castle. From here he travelled far and wide in northern Scotland
assessing the state of Catholicism and installing priests in new stations. He always
returned to his quaint dwelling in the Enzie, ‘the Papistical country’ He died
in 1718 and was buried in St. Ninians cemetery. Priests are still laid to rest at St.
Ninian’s and Monsignor Eddie Traynor, ( Buckie priest who died in 2006) was buried
alongside many well respected clergy.
About
a quarter of a mile from Presholme was the primitive ‘Chapel of the Craigs’
gutted by the English solders returning from Culloden. The books and vestments were
carried to Cullen market place and burnt. Could this have been a warning to the Catholics
especially those living in Cullen House the Earl of Findlater’s home? The congregation secretly celebrated Mass in a
small room in Presholme. In 1765 Mr George Hay (later Bishop) had the Chapel of St.
Margaret’s of the Craig rebuilt and was once again used for divine service. The
chapel was in a ravine and scouts were posted to watch out for red-coats whist people were
at Mass.
Mr.
George Hay took up his missionary career in 1759 living at Presholme close by his
relations Hays of Rannes and, with their influence, was able to secure greater tolerance
for Catholics. He was a man of many talents excelling in music, singing and playing the
violin. He was apprenticed to a surgeon in Edinburgh before joining the Young
Pretender’s army where he treated the wounded at the Battle of Prestonpans. In 1748
he was received into the Catholic Church, studied in Rome and was ordained in1758. Bishop
Nicholson wanted to see would be priests educated in Scotland but died before Scalan was
established in 1716. Bishop Hay remained actively involved with the Seminary and the
students and oversaw the removal to Aquhorties in 1799.
Unfortunately
for the Catholics of Scotland, the duke of Gordon died in 1728 and his protestant wife,
Henrietta, brought the children up in her own faith. She did promise to safe-guard the
Catholics but change was on its way.
Letterfourie
in the Enzie became the mainstay of the Catholic faith. Not far from here was the Mains of
Corridoun, birthplace of Bishop Geddes. Nearby at Pathhead, Dr. Geddes and Bishop
Patterson were born. Bishop Gordon a cadet of Letterfourie was born at Glastirium.
The
Letterfourie family provided funds for the building of the church at Presholme built by
the Reverent John Reid. The foundation stone was laid by the Gordon brothers of
Letterfourie in 1788. In 1790 St. Gregory’s of Presholme was open for worship. A
painting by Carracci was donated by the last Earl of Findlater of Cullen House and hangs
above the altar still. The ceiling is timber tracery and the floor decorative clay tiles.
The exterior is Baroque and high above the front entry is a free stone tablet which was
originally meant to carry the coat of arms of the Letterfourie family but at their request
carried Deo ‘dedicated to God’. It is a magnificent church steeped in history.
In1790 the resident priest or priests would have seen a sea of heads when standing in the
pulpit but today there isn’t a priest resident at Presholme. Like so many in the
rural areas the congregation has dwindled away and a number are served by one priest.
Until recently Presholme was open on special occasions but when Father Jerry Livingston
took over St. Peter’s in Buckie he decided to hold Mass every third Thursday of the
month at 7pm in the summer season. This has proved a great success and is a step forward
for St. Gregory’s Presholme.
Further
information Phone St Peter’s Buckie 01542 832196
John Gordon (Birkenbush)
Student 1743-1754
John Gordon was
born at Birkenbush situated in the Enzie. He was sent to the Scots College Paris in 1724
and expelled in 1732 for holding strong Jansenist views. He received his subdiaconate in
He served at
Preshome from 1735 to 1742 then moved to
Dugald Macdonald
Student 1735-1737
Dugald Macdonald was born in 1720 in Catholic South Uist. He enrolled at Scalan 1725 and in 1737 travelled to The Scots College Rome. He was ordained in 1746 but did not return to South Uist until 1748. He died in 1751, a young man.
Robert Grant
Student 1736-1740
Robert Grant was born at Blairfindy in Glenlivet in 1720. He was enrolled at Scalan in 1736 and in 1738 transferred to The Scots College, Paris finally travelling to The Scots College Rome where he was ordained in 1748. He returned to Scotland and had five stations between 1749 and 1764. He was appointed Rector of The Scots College Douai; this college was founded by William Allan for English Priests in 1568 for the translation of the Reims-Douai Bible and managed by the Scottish Jesuit William Crichton in 1593. Robert Grant held this post until his death in 1784.
John (Johnnie) Gordon
Student 1743-1754
Johnnie Gordon was known as ‘the local lad’ having been born at Glenlivet in 1729.He was fourteen years of age when he entered Scalan in 1743; Mr. Duthrie was Master. He was probably too young to be recruited into the Jacobite army but would have known many who were itching to be off fighting the Hanoverians. His wish was to be ordained as a priest and to keep the Catholic Faith alive.
After the Jacobite defeat at Culloden, the victors were on the rampage looting, burning and priest hunting. No Catholic was really safe; their buildings were wrecked and torched. Johnnie, like so many, could only pray and watch. Scalan’s turn arrived on May 16th; fortunately the Master had prior warning, time to remove possessions, furniture, vestments, documents and books and hide them well away. Johnnie and the other boys were sent home for safety but the Master, in hiding, watched the college burning. He moved to temporary premises in lower Glenlivet and was able to continue teaching Johnnie.
In the spring of 1749 they returned to a hastily rebuilt Scalan using the existing foundations and walls. Despite the upheaval of the last five years Johnnie continued to make good progress. Originally he, like so many others, was to be finished at the Scots College Paris but circumstances made it unadvisable to send him there.
Johnnie
Gordon finished his studies and was ordained by Bishop Smith in
These three fulfilled the founder’s dream, a seminary where the boys entered as youngsters and left as priests. All three attended during the first forty years. About eight students received part of their senior training at Scalan but started learning elsewhere. For the remainder of the time Scalan was a junior seminary only.
To return to Johnnie Gordon: after his ordination he returned to the Glenlivet Mission in 1755 where he worked day and night for the parish. Within two years he caught a cold which turned into a raging fever. In those days bleeding was the cure; he was bled three times, became delirious and finally he died with his old Master, Mr. Duthie, by his side. A tragic end for a 28 year old priest who had everything to give.
Alexander Geddes (
Student 1755-1758
Alexander
Geddes, known as
His time spent at Scalan marked him out as an extraordinary student, excelling in Greek and Latin. Whilst at the college he had a very bad bout of stranguary (blockage or irritation at the base of the bladder); it was feared that he would not be able to finish his studies. This was unfounded and in 1758 he entered the Scots College Paris, being ordained in 1764. He was unlike the rest of the clergy having very strong views and showing signs of eccentricity. Scalan gave him a good start but in later years he blamed his time spent there for his permanently damaged health.
Instead
of returning to
He
retired to
Alexander
Kennedy
Student
1756-1759 1765-1766
This
student was born somewhere in Perthshire, date and place unknown. He attended Scalan from
1756 to 1759 causing friction amongst fellow students. He travelled to the Scots college
Rome to further his education; after six years returning to Scalan without being ordained.
Mr. Kennedy was appointed a sub-deacon but was refused further promotion owing to
behavioural problems. His return to Scalan in 1765 was not welcomed by Mr. Geddes who felt
his reputation in the area and his unsettling effect on
fellow students was not in the college’s best interests. After a year, Mr. Geddes
asked Mr. Smith to remove him and he briefly returned to Rome in 1767 returning once again to complete his
studies under the guidance of George Hay at Presholme. He was ordained by Bishop Hugh
McDonald in 1767 and left to take up a post in Arisaig and the Small Islands where he died
seven years later in 1773. Despite his disruptive behaviour as a young man he proved to be
an excellent priest and was a great loss to the Highland Vicariate.
Alexander
Cameron
Student
1760-1764 Bishop 1798-1828
Alexander
was born in July 1747 at Auchindryne Braemar, to James Cameron and Marjory (Helen)
McIntosh. He was the grand nephew of Thomas Brockie, the Cabrach priest whom he lived with before entering Scalan at the age of
twelve in 1760. He spent four years at the college, the last two being tutored by John
Geddes. In 1764 he travelled to Rome to continue his studies at the Scots College where he
was ordained in February 1772. Because of the need
of priests in Scotland he was called back to take charge of the Tomintoul Mission in
Strathavon where he remained for eight years. In the summer of 1780 he travelled to the
Scots College at Valladolid to take up the position of rector. He was thirty three tears
old and had only been a priest for eight years.
He
took over from John Geddes late in 1781 and continued the work of enlarging the college
and acquiring land for its use. A hose
was built in the Boecillo District for the students to use. Over a period of six years he
purchased (in his name) vineyards by the river Duero. The money raised from the wine
benefited the college. He arranged for this land to pass to his successors; this continued
until 1941.
In
1798 he was appointed Bishop but did not return to Scotland until the summer of 1802. In
August 1805 he took up the post of Lowland Apostolic. He died Februry 1828 in Edinburgh.
John
Gordon (Clashnoir)
Student
1760 - 1764
John
Gordon was born at Clashnoir (about 1½ miles from Scalan) in May 1747, son of John Gordon
and Jean Nairn, nephew of Abbé Peter Grant. He studied at Scalan for four years, the last
two under the tutelage of John Geddes. He and Alexander Cameron were pupils together and
both travelled to Rome to complete their education at the Scots College. John Gordon was
ordained in 1773 and the following year returned to Scotland. He spent two years in
Aberdeen and in 1776 left to take up the vice rectorship of the Scots college Valladolid,
a position he held under John Geddes and Alexander Cameron.. He was appointed rector in
January 1799, succeeding Alexander Cameron
when he was made bishop. Unfortunately for John Gordon he was unable to carry out his
duties owing to the continual interference
from the bishop who didn’t return to Scotland until 1802.
John
Gordon did not have an easy time of it as rector; by 1807 Spain had allowed the French
armies to enter the country and by 1808 the country was in revolt. Gordon sent the
Scottish students home but he, with Alexander Cameron II, elected to remain and safeguard
the college and its assets. In 1809 he left for France to ‘take the waters’. He
did not return to Spain but died in February 1810 in obscurity. Far from his native land
of Scotland and away from his adopted home where he lived and worked foe thirty three
years.
Points
of Interest
1.
Very
few rowan berries on the trees at Scalan owing to lack of fertilization of the flowers. A
marked lack of butterflies and flying insects, a repeat of summer 2007.
2.
First
snow on the top at Scalan 3rd Oct.
3.
On
the 28th September 2008 the first skeins of pink footed geese were spotted
flying south. I wonder how long they have been coming from Svalberg and Northern Norway;
another clear day would see them at Kinross , one of their winter feeding grounds.
4.
The
Carrick’s wood on the left of the track to Scalan is due to be felled this October.
It certainly wont be a quiet walk to Scalan but it could be interesting; plenty to see.
When they come to replant, a large percentage will be deciduous trees to encourage
wildlife.
5.
Scalan
now has its own chalice plus carry case courtesy of the McDermott family. The inscription
reads
The
Scalan Association. Pray for Hugh And Stella
McDermott and their family.
6.
The
reproduction painting on the back page of the Newsletter was painted in 2005by J. Cannovan
D.A. B.A hons. This picture is available in two sizes of card, left blank for your
message. Very good quality card made from pulp from sustainable forests ecf low chlorine
recyclable. I, Sylvia Toovey as Editor am selling the cards; all profit made will go to
Scalan funds
Large
cards 21 cm. ×15 cm £2.00 p&p .50p for one or two
Larger nos. £1.00
Small
cards 14¾ cm×10½ cm £1.50 p&p .50 for one or two
Larger nos. £1.00
Overseas
p&p £1.50
THE
ROYAL SCOTS COLLEGE IN SALAMANCA.
In 1988 the decision was taken by the
Scottish Bishops to move the Royal Scots College from its location in Valladolid in the
Calle Santuario, its home since 1771, to Salamanca. One of the residences owned by the
Marists on the western fringe of the city was rented and the community and the college
possessions were moved over the summer to the
historic university town of Salamanca on the banks of the River Tormes. It had been felt
that it would be beneficial for the Scots College in Spain to offer an extended
theological formation for its students by attending the Pontifical University in
Salamanca, thus sharing with the Scots College in Rome the possibility of offering them a
licentiate and doctorate in Theology, Canon Law or Philosophy. The students, mostly Scots, but including some from
other countries attended the university and
over these few years a number of them did gain licences in the three disciplines, which
have been put to use in the Scottish National
Tribunal and in Scotus College in Glasgow.
In the mid 90s the building was bought from
the Marists and then extensively renovated to a very good standard with en-suite rooms
being provided for all staff, students and visitors, and has been much admired since for
the comfortable and pleasant accommodation provided within. However, as the number of
Scottish seminarians declined, the choice was made towards the end of 2002 not to send
further students to Salamanca “in the meantime”. The community moved on quite
quickly – some being ordained and returning to Scotland, some moving to the Scots
College in Rome, and a couple remaining to finish their course at the “Pont”
before returning home for ordination.
In
the summer of 2004, therefore, the college began offering its facilities to Christian
clergy and laity, mostly from Scotland, England and Ireland, for retreats, conferences,
on-going formation courses, sabbaticals, and parish-pilgrimage holidays and between the
various groups good use has been made of the college, especially from Easter through to
October. Groups of up to 45 people can be accommodated, and there is often space also for
families and individuals, with one room now adapted for the physically incapacitated. Many
of the facilities in college have been recently upgraded to provide a comfortable and
relaxing stay for the various users and hopefully those who come do enjoy their stay in
the college and will plan a return visit.
Most
visitors enjoy Salamanca itself with its magnificent Plaza Mayor, its two cathedrals and
universities, together with other fine buildings, it offers a good location to visit the
other towns of Castile, and even to venture into Portugal. It is an area with a strong
spiritual heritage and the links with the great Spanish mystics – Ignatius of Loyola,
Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross – opens up opportunities of combining
reflection and study with visits to the places associated with these holy people.
Within
the college also we offer a daily spiritual programme, with Eucharist and Morning and
Evening Prayer, but the groups who come are free to arrange their own spiritual activities
and time-table. The hope is though that the atmosphere in the house will continue to be
blessed by the Holy Spirit and that the task of praying for vocations to priesthood and
for those in ministry will always be foremost in our thoughts. The future path of the
college may be unclear at present but the hope is that it will continue in some way to
contribute to the building-up of the Church in Scotland and elsewhere, especially through
the formation of candidates for priesthood and of those already ministering to the flock
of Christ the Good Shepherd.
By Mgr. Joseph
Toal.
Scalan
Mass
July
2008
Michael
Briody (secretary)
Office Bearers
Association President:
Very Rev. Canon Brian Halloran
St James, 17, The Scores, St. Andrews, KY16 9AR
Tel. 01334 472856
Treasurer and Membership Secretary:
Mrs Jane McEwan
Ogilvie Cottage, Gallowhill, Glenlivet AB37 9DL
Tel 01807 590340
All correspondence regarding the Association should be directed to Mrs Jane McEwan
AGM Secretary:
Rev. Michael Briody,
St. Michael’s, 133 Glenmore Avenue, Moodiesburn, G69 0DL
Tel. 01236 872537
Editorial Team:
Mrs Sylvia Toovey, Miss Ann Dean, Mrs Elizabeth Beaton.
This is your newsletter and the committee would welcome your ideas, views and news. Correspondence can be sent to Sylvia Toovey, Chapel House, Chapeltown of Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. AB37 9JS. Tel. 01807 590295. Emails. johnsylvia-braes@hotmail.co.uk
Are you up to date with your subscriptions? The Scalan Association needs your help.
Scalan Painted by J. Canovan 2005
When the silken dark is a friend and the river sings to a star,
Asl thyself brother; ask thyself sister, the question thou alone hast power to answer:
O Kind and Saviour of all, what is thy gift to me, and do I use it to Thy pleasing.