Long Loch, Angus

Westerkeith hill

Uploader's Comments

Protruding beyond the hill is the top of a pillar known locally by the odd name of 'Privy's Prap' and shown on the OS map as 'Mackenzie Meridian (Monument)' . This was built in the 1770s by landowner James MacKenzie in his connection with his hobby of astronomy. The pillar was a meridian pillar erected due south of his observatory at Belmont Castle at Meigle. And why the odd name 'Privy's Prap'? Well, in addition to being an amateur astronomer, James MacKenzie was a minor diplomat and in 1763 became Lord Privy Seal for Scotland. So this became known as 'the Privy's prap' ('prap' being Scots for a tall chimney or prop).

Uploaded to Geograph by James Allan on 26 November 2012

Creative Commons License Photo © James Allan, 26 November 2012. Licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons licence

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