Other Publications - Local
History
QUEENSFERRY - A Guided Walk
Queensferry Association 1986 Text by Pam Shaw, map and line drawings by Mike McDowall. Printed by Howie & Seath Ltd, Edinburgh ISBN 0 9511852 0 9
This publication is still on sale in Queensferry (contact me if you would like a copy - £6.50 + £1.00p&p) and despite some changes in the town, is still relevant and very informative.
Queensferry's other saints: Queen Margaret, the Ferry and the Carmelite Friars.
Scottish Local History Journal Vol 47, Winter 1999
The town is known widely for it's connection with Queen Margaret, wife of Malcolm III, king of Scots 1057 - 1093. The earliest references to the area occur in the 12th century names 'Freti Transitus', 'Portus Reginae' and 'Passagium Reginae' in the native tongue, 'the Queen's ferrie'.
An examination of the saintly connections beyond St Margaret in Queensferry's early history reveals a wealth of local associations with other saints in and around the area. Research has revealed that the local parish church built in 1633 was consecrated to St Nicholas, and that the building is sited on the ruins of St Nicholas Kirk. St Nicholas was popular with seafaring communities in Scotland.
St Nicholas in the stained glass window of the former Parish Church
If Queensferry needs an alternative to St Margaret, foremost must be St Nicholas, the patron saint of (among others), merchants and sailors.
Back to home page