The place so denominated is still a land-mark, although the house
has long fallen to decay; so totally so that not a vestige remains;
but the scite is an object of curiosity to travellers, for the
singularity of the building, which tradition has preserved the form
of, and the motive for its erection. In the reign of James the VIth
of Scotland, (James the Ist of England,) two brothers, named Malcomb
Gavin, and John O'Groat, arrived in Caithness from Holland, and it
is said brought letters from the King. They purchased or possessed
themselves of the lands of Warse and Duningsbay, lying near the
Portland Hills. They increased in course of time to eight families:
here they lived peaceably and comfortably for many years, and held
an annual feast to commemorate the landing of their ancestors. Could
it be supposed that any petty distinctions should have a tendency
to interrupt the family harmony? but so it was. Each head of the
families contended for the seniority and chieftainship of the
clan. The ingenuity of one (a John O'Groat) settled the dispute
for precedency, which arose upon the importance of sitting at the
head of the table, and the right of entering first in at the door!
John occupied a ferry, and his daily intercourse with strangers had
enlarged his ideas: he expostulated with his clan on the folly of
their pretensions, and represented, that quarrels amongst themselves
would render them obnoxious to the people where they had settled.
John's reasoning prevailed, and they agreed to be guided by him: in
due time he fulfilled his plan to reconcile their discordant ideas.
He built a very large room in an octagon form, with eight doors
and eight windows in it; in this room he placed a massy oak table
with eight sides. At the next anniversary meeting, he requested
each head of the families to enter at the door most convenient to
their dwelling at the same moment; he then took the unoccupied seat.
The scite, as has been observed, is still celebrated, and will be
so, whilst good intentions, and a plain useful understanding, are
considered estimable qualities. Fully to appreciate this, we should
recollect the deadly feuds which frequently arose in Scotland in
former days, even on less grounds than precedency.