Gazetteer of Scotland

SKE
413
SKY
and chief antiquities are tumuli, Cale-
donian stone circles, the line of a Roman
road, and the site of a mediaeval watch-
tower. A public school is at "Westhill.
SKENE, lake, 10 miles north-east of
Moffat, Dumfriesshire. It measures nearly
a mile by about J mile ; has a surface ele-
vation of about 1000 feet above sea-level ;
is overhung by rugged lofty masses of the
Southern Highlands ; and emits the stream-
let which forms the profound cascade of
Grey Mare's Tail.
SKEOCH, hill, with extensive view, in
Tarbolton parish, Ayrshire.
SKEOCH, moorland hill, notable in
history of the Covenanters, in Kirkpatrick-
Irongray parish, Kirkcudbrightshire.
SKEOK, site of ancient chapel, 1 mile
north-east of Bannockburn, Stirlingshire.
SKEOTISVAY, islet in East Loch Tarbert,
between Harris and Lewis-proper, Outer
Hebrides.
SKERNISH, headland in Kilmuir parish,
Isle of Skye.
SKERRAY, hamlet in Tongue parish,
Sutherland. It has a post office under
Thurso, and a public school.
SKERRIES, each of numerous groups of
rocky islets, or insulated rocks, off many
parts of Scottish coasts, specially in Shet-
land, Orkney, and Hebrides.
SKERRIES (OUT). See HOUSIE.
SKERRINGTON, mineral-field near Kil-
marnock, Ayrshire.
SKERROW, lake in Girthon parish,
Kirkcudbrightshire.
SKERRYVORE, insulated rock, 11 miles
south-west-by-south of southern extremity
of Tyree Island, Inner Hebrides. It lies
within a dangerous reef about 10 miles
long, and has a lighthouse of 1844, with
revolving light visible at the distance of
18J nautical miles. Pop. 3.
SKERVUILE, island near southern
entrance to Jura Sound, Argyleshire. It
has a lighthouse with revolving light
visible at the distance of 14 nautical
miles.
SKETEWEN, hamlet near the Tay, be-
tween Balnaguard and Grandtully, Perth-
shire.
SKETRAW, or SKATEROW, fishing
village, 5 miles north-north-east of Stone-
haven, Kincardineshire. Pop. 308.
SKEULAN, well, held in superstitious
veneration, in Aboyne parish, Aberdeen-
shire.
SKIACH, rivulet, running about 8 miles
north-eastward to Cromarty Firth near
Kiltearn church, Ross-shire.
SKIACH, two small lakes, Skiach and
Little Skiach, in Little Dunkeld parish,
Perthshire.
SKIANID, village in Tongue parish,
Sutherland.
SKIBA, place, 2| miles north of Port-
Charlotte, Islay Island, Argyleshire.
SKIBBA, boat harbour in Birsay parish,
Orkney.
SKIBO, seat and hill-ridge in Dornoch
parish, Sutherland. The seat is called
Skibo Castle ; and an ancient edifice of
the same name stood on or near the site,
was the residence of the Bishops of
Sutherland and Caithness, and was
demolished in last century.
SKILMONY, hill in Methlick parish,
Aberdeenshire.
SKILTIEMUIR, village in Cockpen
parish, Edinburghshire.
SKIMMER, hills in Salton parish,
Haddingtonshire.
SKINFLATS, village in Bothkennar
parish, Stirlingshire. Pop. 395.
SKINNET, ancient parish, now part of
Halkirk, Caithness. Remains of its
church still exist.
SKINSDALE, rivulet and vale, descend-
ing about 9 miles southward to the Brora,
in Clyne parish, Sutherland.
SKIPNESS, headland, ancient castle,
bay, fishing village, and parish in Kintyre,
Argyleshire. The headland flanks south
side of entrance of Loch Fyne, and is
4 miles north-north-west of northern
extremity of Arran. — The castle crowns
the headland, forms an open square of
450 feet, and has walls 7 feet thick and
35 feet high, with 3 small towers. — The
bay lies immediately south of the head-
land, and receives a rivulet of 5 miles in
length of course. — The village stands at
the bay's head, and has a post office under
Greenock, an inn, and a quay. — The
parish is ancient, was annexed to Saddell,
and is now separate quoad sacra. The
church and a public school are at Clonaig.
Pop. of the quoad sacra parish, 470.
SKIPORT, sea-loch in northern part of
east coast of South Uist Island, Outer
Hebrides. It penetrates about 4 miles
westward, is much ramified, includes good
harbourage, and connects, at its head,
with branches of a sea-loch striking south-
westward from north-west coast.
SKIRLING, village and parish on west
border of Peeblesshire. The village
stands 1\ miles north-east of Biggar, and
has a post office under Biggar, Established
and Free churches, and a public school. —
The parish measures 3f miles by If, and
comprises 3423 acres. Real property in
1880-81, £3683. Pop. 274. The sur-
face lies at considerable elevation above
sea-level, and is uneven and partly rolling.
Skirling Castle belonged to the Cockburns,
became obnoxious for partisanship with
Queen Mary, and was demolished by
order of the Regent Moray.
SKIRMISHFIELD, scene of fierce Border
conflict in 1526 in western vicinity of
Melrose, Roxburghshire.
SKIRSA, headland, 3 miles south of
Duncansby Head, Caithness.
SKREEL, lofty hill, with rich extensive
view, in Kelton parish, Kirkcudbrightshire.
SKYE, island and district in west of
Inverness-shire. The island is a very pro-
minent one of Inner Hebrides ; extends
from a point opposite Arasaig in Inverness-