Redgorton is a settlement in Gowrie, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It lies a few miles from the River Tay and the A9 road, across the latter from Luncarty. It lies close to the Inveralmond Industrial Estate.

Redgorton
Redgorton is located in Perth and Kinross
Redgorton
Redgorton
Location within Perth and Kinross
OS grid referenceNO089287
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townPERTH
Postcode districtPH1
Dialling code01738
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
56°26′30″N 3°28′45″W / 56.441649°N 3.479204°W / 56.441649; -3.479204
Redgorton Church

Etymology edit

The first recorded spelling of Redgorton was Rochgorton, this can be found in a charter of King David I preserved in the chartulary of Scone. The prefix of the current name, can be seen as translation of the Gaelic word Roch, or Ruach, which means 'red.' Gorton, or Garton, suggests "a little field;". The name as a whole, Redgorton, can be interpreted as 'the red field or field of blood,' and it has been mooted that it arose on account of the proximity of the Battle of Luncarty, which took place near Redgorton in c. 980AD between the Danes and the Scots.[1]

Further weight is added to this interpretation by the name, Battleby given to the Scottish Natural Heritage centre just outside Redgorton.

It is important to note that there is much myth surrounding the battle, most of which was propagated by the historian Hector Boece in his Scottish History of 1526. It likely the myth was generated at the bequest of the Hays of Errol to increase the legitimacy of them holding substantial lands in the area. Boece's account suggest they gained their lands as a reward from Kenneth III for their services in the battle.[2]

The Redgorton Witches edit

In 1656 four residents of Redgorton were accused of being witches, however, no record of their names or alleged crimes remains.[2]

Morthouse edit

A morthouse dated 1832 is located in the churchyard, but as this post-dates the Anatomy Act it is unconnected to bodysnatching.[3]

Save Redgorton Campaign edit

In 2010 a campaign was started opposing one of Perth and Kinross Council's proposed routes for a new Perth Bypass. The proposed road would run across the River Tay from Scone to Huntingtower and campaigners suggest that it will result in the demolition of houses in Redgorton and destroy the character of the settlement.

The Campaign also led to the establishment of the Luncarty and Redgorton Community Council in late 2010.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ "Perthshire: Redgorton Perthshire Scotland". 26 December 2007.
  2. ^ a b Holder, Geoff (2006). The Guide to Mysterious Perthshire. Tempus : Gloucestershire. pp. 155–158. ISBN 978-0752441405.
  3. ^ "Redgorton mort house".
  4. ^ "Save Redgorton". Archived from the original on 23 November 2010.

External links edit