Monument record 487 - TIGH AN TRIAR, ST KILDA

NF09NE 4 0942 9946.

(Name: NF 09379935) Tigh an Triar (NR)
OS 6"map, annotated by J Mathieson (1928)

Tigh an Triar - building used by the old St Kildans to bless their cattle against evil spirits.
J Mathieson 1928.

"A little green plain which the St Kildans call Liani-nin-ore: plain of spells, exorcism, or prayers - used to bless their cattle every time they were moved from one grazing place to another {no mention of a building, or name 'Tigh an Triar'}.
K Macualay 1764.

The above account must be purely legendary, as the name 'Tigh an Triar' applies to a 'cleit' at 0942 9946; but being the largest found on the island (it is 11.0m long x 2.0m, and although single-chambered, it has two small entrances in the S side - the W end has been opened to allow easier access), it is understandable why the tradition has possibly been affixed to this structure; but the place seems to have been misconstrued by Mathieson in View of Macaulay's earlier account.
Visited by OS (J L D) 12 August 1967; J Mathieson 1928; K Macaulay 1764.

K Macaulay, 1764, The History of St Kilda, 40-1 (Bibliographic reference). SWE12859.

J Mathieson, 1927-8, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 127 fig. 8 (Bibliographic reference). SWE5190.