Source:Origines parochiales (Applecross)

"Applecross" Origines parochiales Scotiae (vol. 2)

APPLECROSS. Aporcrossan, Apercrossan, Apuorcrosain¹—Crosain²—Appillcroce³—Abilcros⁴—Apilcors⁵—Apilcroce⁶—Abilcors⁷—Apilcorce, Appilcorce⁸—Choinbrich-abrich⁹—Combrich¹⁰—Apilgirth¹¹—Aplecroce.¹² (Map, No. 4.)

This parish, chiefly mountainous, lies between the salt-water lochs named Loch Kishorn and Loch Torridon, and includes three districts, Kishorn, Applecross, and Lochs. On the coast there are some small islands.

We are informed by the Irish annalists that in the year 673 Maelruba (known in Scotland as Saint Rufus, Malrubius, or Malrube, and commemorated on the 27th of August) founded the church of Aporcrossan.¹³ From the same source we learn that he died at Apercrossan on the 21st of April 722, aged 80 years, three months, and 19 days.¹⁴ Saint Malrube, says the Aberdeen Breviary, was murdered at Urquhart in Ross by Norwegians who landed on the coast, and who understood that he preached a different faith from theirs. He lived some days after receiving his death wounds, and ordered his body to be buried at Appilcroce.¹⁵ He was succeeded in the rule of the monastery (as it then appears to have been) of Apuorcrossan by Failbe M‘Guaire, who in the year 737 perished at sea along with 22 followers who manned his vessel.¹⁶ The Aberdeen Breviary, without giving the date, informs us that the Danes, having landed at Appilcroce, violated the sacred territory of six miles round the church, insulted and

1. Ante A. D. 1088. Tigeraachi Aunales.
2. Post A. D. 1088. Annal. Ulton.
3. A. D. 1510. Brev. Aberd. Prop. SS. pro temp, estiv., fol. 90.
4. A. D. 1515. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. v. fol. 29.
5. A. D. 1539. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xiii. fol. 26. A. D. 1600-1700. Macfarlane's Geog. Collect.
6. A. D. 1540. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xiii. fol. 73; vol. xiv. fol. 36. A. D. 1542. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xv. fol. 84. A.D. 1561. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxx. fol. 53. A. D. 1569. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxviii. fol. 119. A.D. 1574. Book of Assignations. A. D. 1575. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xliii. fol. 17. A.D. 1576. Reg. Sec Sig., vol. xliii. fol. 100. A. D. 1583. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlix. fol. 165.
7. A. D. 1548. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxii. fol. 38. A. D. 1549. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxiii. fol. 10.
8. A. D. 1561-1566. Book of Assumptions.
9. A. D. 1600-1700. Macfarlane's Geog. Collect.
10. A. D. 1600-1700. Macfarlane's Geog. Collect. Circa A. D. 1640. MS. Maps in Adv. Lib. Blaeu.
11. Circa A. D. 1640. MS. Maps in Adv. Lib.
12. A. D. 1662. Retours.
13. Tigernachi Annales. Dr. Reeves in a paper published in the Irish Ecclesiastical Journal for 1849 affirms that Saint Rufus and Saint Malrube were different persons. If so, they were frequently confounded in Scotland. Kilarrow in Islay was named also Kilrow, that is, the church of Malrube and the church of Rufus. An island off Saint Malrube's own territory of Applecross is named Saint Ruffus' Island. The town of Keith in Banff, of old called Kethmalruf (Reg. Mor. no. 25.) after the saint of Applecross, and where the annual fair is still known as Summareve (Saint Malruve) fair, is locally and popularly said to have been dedicated to Saint Rufus. See Reg. Episc. Aberdon. vol. i. p. Ixxxvi. ; vol. ii. p. 17.
14. Tigernachi Annales. Thomas Innes in his history of Scotland now in course of publication by the Spalding Club says that Saint Maelrubius or Mulruy was commemorated on the 21st of April.
15. Brev. Aberd. Prop. SS. pro temp, estiv., fol. 90. By other authorities Saint Malrube is said to have been slain in Mernia, that is, in Kincardineshire, which by some is by mistake rendered Nairn. Urquhart, it appears, was known by the Gaelic name Urchudini-cill-na-chrossan. Paper by Dr. Reeves above cited. Keith's Bishops.
16. Tigernachi Annales. Annal. Ulton.

robbed the priests and other ministers in contempt of Saint Malrube, and returned to their vessels, which were afterwards sunk in sight of land without any storm.¹ The church was after wards a common church of the canons of Ross.² This seems to complete its known history before the era of the Reformation. In 1574 Murquho or Murdoch Johnnestoun was reader at Apilcroce, and in 1575 he was presented by King James VI. to the parsonage and vicarage of Apilcroce, ‘being ane commoun kirk of the bischoprik of Ros.’³ In 1662 John M‘Keanzie of Aplecroce was served heir to his grandfather Alexander Mackeanzie of Coull in the lands of Aplecroce and the advowson of the church.⁴

The church stood at the head of the bay of Applecross on the west coast of the parish.⁵ The building which existed in the seventeenth century is styled by a writer of the time ‘a fair hieland kirk.’⁶ The church standing in 1788 was then condemned as insufficient, and the present church was built in 1817.⁷ Near it are the remains of an ecclesiastical building, but whether those of a church or of a monastery does not appear.⁸ In the last century it was common with the inhabitants to swear by the Ider of Applecross.⁹

There was a chaplainry in Applecross, dedicated to Saint Malrube, and served by one or two chaplains. In 1515 King James V. presented Sir Alexander Makcloid to the two chaplainries within the parish church of Abilcors, when they should be vacant by the decease or inhability of Sir Murdoc and Sir Cristin the chaplains.¹⁰ In 1539 the same king presented Sir John Donaldsoun to the chaplainry of the chapel of Saint Malrube in Apilcors, vacant by the decease of Sir Alexander M‘Clode.¹¹ In 1540 (20 March) he presented Sir John Donaldsoun to the chaplainry of Saint Malrube in Apilcroce, vacant by the decease of Sir Christofer Johnesoun ; and in the same year (29 March) he granted to Master John Cameroun and Sir John Donaldsoun chaplains all the goods that belonged to the deceased chaplain, which were in the King's hands by reason of his having been born and died illegitimate.¹². In the same year (29 November) he presented Master John Cameroun to the chaplainry of Saint Malrube in Apilcroce, when it should be vacant by the resignation of Sir John Donaldsoun.¹³ In 1542 the same king presented Sir Murdoc Johnsoune younger to half the chaplainry of Apilcroce, when it should be vacant by the resignation of Sir Murdoc Johnesoun the elder.¹⁴ In 1548 Queen Mary granted a similar presentation in favour of the same Sir Murdoc or Murquhard Jhonestoun the younger to the chaplainry of Saint Mulrube the martyr of Abilcors, the presentation belonging to the Queen during the vacancy of the see.¹⁵ In 1549 that queen, who was patron plena jure, presented Sir John Donaldsoun to the chaplainry of Saint Malrube the martyr in Abilcors, vacant or when

1. Brev. Aberd. Prop. SS. pro temp, estiv., fol. 90. The parish is still locally styled Comrich, which signifies ‘girth’ or ‘sanctuary.’ Old and New Stat. Acc. Macfarlane. In the year 800 the Irish annalists record the death of Macoige of Apercrosan abbot of Bangor.
2. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xliii. fol. 17.
3. Book of Assignations. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xliii. fol. 17.
4. Rotours.
5. Old and New Stat. Acc. County Maps.
6. Macfarlane's Geog. Collect.
7. Old Stat. Acc. New Stat. Acc.
8. Letter from Rev. John M‘Queen to Gen. Hutton, 1789. Old and New Stat. Acc.
9. Old Stat Acc.
10. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. v. fol. 29.
11. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xiii. fol. 26.
12. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xiii. ff. 73, 87.
13. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xiv., fol. 36.
14. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xv. fol. 84.
15. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxii. fol. 38. In the record of this presentation the chaplainry is said to be founded ‘in the parish church of Ross in the diocese of the same.’

vacant by the resignation of Master John Camroun.¹ In 1561 she presented Sir William Monro chaplain to the chaplainry of Apilcroce within the girth of the same, vacant by the decease of Sir John Donaldsone.² In 1569 King James VI. confirmed a grant made by Sir William Stewart chaplain of Apilcroce, with the consent of John bishop of Ross, the dean, and the canons, to Rory Makkangze and his heirs male, with remainder to Kenzeoch M‘Kangze of Kintaill and his male heirs whomsoever bearing his arms and surname, of half of the lands of Bonnadell, Longoll and Achechork, Kippech, Satrell and Drumloy, Cowlmoir, Corchirie, Coulnakill, Ardestang, Scheildag, Dybege, Rischill, and Lestang, in the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom of Innernes, which belonged to Sir William as the patrimony of the chaplainry.³ In 1576 the same king granted to Kenoch M‘Kenze, the son of master Alexander M‘Kenze of Kilchrist, for his ‘sustentatioun at the sculis’ for seven years, one of the chaplainries of Apilcroce, vacant by the decease of Sir William Stewart.⁴ In 1583 he granted to Patrick Dunbar, the son of the deceased David Dunbar of Penik, the same chaplainry, vacant by the ‘outrunning’ of the grant to Kenzeoeh M‘Kainzie.⁵

Saint Rufius island, Loch-an-tagart (the priest's loch), Island-na-nuagh (saints' island), Loch-na-nuag (the holy loch), and other names, indicate the former veneration for the asylum and territory consecrated by Saint Malrube.⁶

In 1574 Murquho Johnnestoun reader at Apilcroce had for his stipend the sum of £17 and 8d.⁷

Between 1561 and 1566 the united value of the chaplainries of Saint Monanis (in Kiltearn) and Apilcorce, held by Sir William Stewart vicar of Dingwall, was stated by him at 36 marks.⁸

The district of Applecross was probably included in the hinds of the Earl of Ross in North Argyle, which formed part of the sheriffdom of Skey erected in 1292 by King John Balliol.⁹ It seems also to have been included among the lands of the Earl of Ros between the years 1306 and 1329.¹⁰

In 1662 John M‘Keanzie of Aplecroce was served heir male to his grandfather Alexander M‘Keanzie of Coull in the lands of Aplecroce, including the towns and lands of Rossollis commonly called Over and Nether Rossollis, Resker, Toskag, Barradaill, Longoll, Keppach, Auchmoir, Sacadaill, Drumley, Culmoir, Tercherrie, Drumclaughan, Kirktoun of Aplecroce, Killiemorie, Culdnakle, Ardestag, Schildag, Sacrell, Testang, Sadilack, Auchiechock, and Culnakle, with the advowson of the church of Aplecroce, in the parish of Aplecroce and bishoprick of Ross, of the extent of 48 marks, with 3s. 4d. in augmentation of the rental.¹¹

At Shieldag on Loch Torridon there is a fishing village with a population of 200.¹²

In the district of Applecross are the remains of a subterranean dwelling or place of concealment, four feet wide and four feet deep, faced with stone, and roofed with flags.¹³

1. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxiii. fol. 10.
2. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxx. fol. 53.
3. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxviii. fol. 119. Of the building whose ruins remain beside the church the Old Stat Acc. says—‘It was richly endowed with landed property, which tradition relates to have been conveyed by the last Popish missionary (incumbent) in the place, known by the designation of the Red Priest of Applecross, to his daughter.’ This building therefore may possibly have been the chapel of Saint Malrube, either forming part of the old church or detached.
4. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xliii. fol. 100.
5. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlix. fol. 165.
6. See Thomson's Map.
7. Book of Assignations,
8. Book of Assumptions.
9. Acta Parl. Scot., vol. i. p. 91.
10. Rob. Index, p. 16, no. 7. Reg. Moray., p. 342.
11. Retours. From this it appears that the chapel lands included nearly all the lands of the parish.
12. New Stat. Acc.
13. Old Stat. Acc.

Timeline

Below is a list of events that are evidenced by this source. They should appear in the 'Timeline' section of articles about people and places involved in the events.

• between 1561 and 1566 - The united value of the chaplainries of Saint Monanis (in Kiltearn) and Apilcorce, held by Sir William Stewart vicar of Dingwall, was stated by him at 36 marks.
  <ref name="Origines Paroch vol. 2 p. 404" />
• 1854 - In the 2nd volume of Origines Parochiales, Cosmo Innes suggests of the building whose ruins remain beside the church in Applecross Parish, "This building therefore may possibly have been the chapel of Saint Malrube, either forming part of the old church or detached."
  <ref name="Origines Paroch vol. 2 p. 404" />

Citation abbreviations

• Acta Aud.
• Acta Dom. Aud.
• Acta Dom. Conc.
• Acta Parl. Scot.
• Anderson's Guide (1834)
• Balnagown Charters
• Beauly Charters
• Blaeu's Map
• Book of Assignations
• Book of Assumptions
• Brev. Aberd. Prop. SS.
• The Brus (Spalding Club)
• Calendar of Fearn
• Camerarius
• Cawdor Charters
• Chronica de Mailros
• Coll. de Reb. Alb.
• Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross
• The Family of Kilravock (Spalding Club)
• Floors Charters
• Ford. Scot.
• History of Family of Kilravock
• Inverness Burgh Charters
• Keith's Bishops
• Knox's History
• Macfarlane's Geog. Collect.
• Miller's Scenes and Legends
• Misc. of Bannatyne Club
• MS. in Adv. Lib.
• MS. Maps in Adv. Lib.
• Mun. Corp. Reports
• Neale's Ecclesiological Notes
• New Stat. Acc.
• Note by W. H. Murray, Esq.
• Old Stat. Acc.
• Pitcairn's Crim. Trials
• Ragman Rolls
• Reg. Mag. Sig.
• Reg. Sec. Sig.
• Regist. Moraviense
• Register of Ministers
• Retours
• Rob. Index
• Spotiswood's Rel. Houses
• Tigernachi Annales
• Treasurer's Accounts
• Worsaae's Danes

Source citation

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* {{Orig paroch full|volume=2}}

Sources

• Innes, Cosmo, ed. (1854). Origines Parochiales Scotiae : the Antiquities Ecclesiastical and Territorial of the Parishes of Scotland. 2. Edinburgh: W. H. Lizars. OCLC 1050251806. OL 14032727M.
• Brown, K M; Mann, A J; Tanner, R J, eds. (2007–2024). The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707. St. Andrews.CS1 maint: date format (link)
• Donaldson, Gordon, ed. (1966). Registrum secreti sigilli regum Scotorum. The register of the Privy seal of Scotland. A.D. 1575-1580. 7. H.M. General Register House.
• Fleming, David Hay, ed. (1921). Registrum secreti sigilli regum Scotorum. The register of the Privy seal of Scotland. A.D. 1529-1542. 2. Edinburgh: H.M. General Register House.
• Inquisitionum ad Capellam Regis Retornatarum, quae in publicis archivis Scotiae adhuc servantur, Abbreviatio [An Abridgment of the Inquiries Returned to the King's Chapel, which are still preserved in the Public Archives of Scotland] (in Latina). 2. [Scotland: s.n.] 1816. OCLC 1258065567.
• Livingstone, Matthew, ed. (1908). Registrum secreti sigilli regum Scotorum. The register of the Privy seal of Scotland. A.D. 1488-1529. 1. Edinburgh: H.M. General Register House. OCLC 866869810. OL 7006810M.
• Mac Niocaill, Gearóid (ed.). The Annals of Tigernach (one electronic file). (unpublished) – via Corpus of Electronic Texts.
• McQueen, John (1792). "Parish of Applecross". In Sinclair, John (ed.). The statistical account of Scotland. Drawn up from the communications of the ministers of the different parishes. III. Edinburgh: William Creech. OCLC 1160054566.
• Reeves, William (1862). "Saint Maelrubha: his History and Churches". In Laing, David; John, Alexander (eds.). Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Sessions. 3. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. doi:10.9750/PSAS.003.258.296.
• Scotland; et al. (1844). Thomson, Thomas; Innes, Cosmo (eds.). The Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland. I. 1124-1423. Printed by Command. OCLC 783193913.