Stage 9 of the JOGT: Berriedale to Dunbeath

Distance 6.5 miles/10.5 km

For further details see jogt.org.uk/stages/

Just up the strath from the modern village of Dunbeath is the remains of what must have been a substantial settlement, known as the House of Peace, a plausible meeting point for pilgrims from various points North and West. This is associated with the name of the only female saint mentioned in the literature – Triduana (also known as Traddles/Tredwell/Tradwell/Trallew/Trallen and Trollhaena). However this might be due to confusion with both the Dunbeath site and the other site associated with Triduan, near Achavanich, both being called Ballachly. There are legends of Triduana coming from Greece with St Rule (4th century) and with St Boniface (8th century). She settled at Rescobie, Angus She is associated with Edinburgh and the Highlands.  A legend of her plucking out her eyes to repel an unwanted suitor is very similar to that of St Bridget. She is famed for curing eye diseases. She is mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga as curing Bishop John, who had had his eyes plucked out but had them restored when he was taken to her resting place at Ballachly, Achavanich near Loch Stemster. Her gravesite in Edinburgh used to be a place of pilgrimage and has recently been restored. There are also dedications to her at a chapel in Kintradwell (Loth, South of Helmsdale), and Papa Westray, Orkney.

Dunbeath also has links with Saint Magnus as records show that there had been plans to create a trading burgh at Inver called Magnusburgh

For further information on Dunbeath, go to https://www.dunbeath-heritage.org.uk and laidhay.co.uk (for Laidhay croft museum)