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-- History --
Graemsay is one of the Orkney's islands on which evidence of early
Celtic Christianity can be found. Within the island's small area
are two early church sites, one dedicated to St Bride, the other
to Columba.
The
island was at one time owned by Patrick Stuart - the natural son
of the infamous Earl Robert Stuart - who was given it as a gift.
Graemsay, like the rest of Orkney's islands, has suffered over
the years from depopulation. The population as recorded in the
1991 census was merely 27, compared to the 214 Orcadians living
an working on the island in 1841.
1866
saw the wreck of The Albion which was on its way from Liverpool
to America carrying emigrants and a cargo of pottery. Fragments
of the pottery can still be found at the Point of Oxan beach.
Joseph Mowat lost his life trying to rescue survivors, and he
is buried in Graemsay Kirkyard.
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Quoys
(c/o http://www.btinternet.com/~sian.thomas/index.htm)