Peter (1st century)

Dedications to Peter began with Curitan/Boniface and were often supercessions of earlier names. They can be found in the church of Clyne, which was a supersession; a chapel at Olgrinbeg, Halkirk, contiguous to which the field is called ‘an Abair’, showing that an earlier Celtic saint was superseded; the church and fair of Thurso; the church of Kirkiboll, Tongue, which shows the Norse form kirkin-boll, indicating a foundation during the Norse period. Kilpheddar is a church of St Peter in the Strath of Kildonan, which lends its name to Kilpheddar Moss and the burn of Kilpheddar in the parish of Latheron.

The main site in Caithness is St Peter’s church, Thurso. It is supposed to have been founded by Bishop Gilbert. A vault was used as a prison in 1726. In the west wall, there is a grave stone dated to the middle of the 14th century. It was used as a place of worship until 1832.

See Towill p. 218, Cat p. 37, Inv no. 154, 418 and 443, Ecc Hist p. 39 and 55.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Proceeding along the Thurso river and crossing it at one of the new footbridges, we come to Braehour Burn and following it for some distance, we reach the ruins of a chapel dedicated to St Peter, at a short distance from the farm steading of Olgrinmore.’ P. 61.

Inventory: chapel at Olgrimbeg Burn on the left bank about1/2 mile above its junction with Thurso River. 

No 418 A detailed description of the structure of St Peter’s, Thurso. The apsidal cell is typical of 12th century, the nave and trancept belong to the 16th or 17th century. May have been founded by Gilbert, bishop of Caithness. Used as a parish church until 1832 and early in the 18th century used as a court-house and prison.