Gilmerton, Perthshire, Scotland

Gilmerton

The village of Gilmerton is home to a property called Cultoquhey, (pronounced Cultoowhey) that was owned by the Maxtone family for a period of over five centuries.
That they managed to retain it in the face of strong and covetous neighbours is remarkable and may owe something to the "Cultoquhey Prayer."

From the greed of the Campbells
From the ire of the Drummonds
From the pride of the Grahams
And from the wind of the Murrays
Gude Lord preserve us.

Written by the eccentric laird in the 1700's, it was used by him at morning and evening devotions. It cocked a fearless snoot at his powerful neighbours and was frequently recited in their presence

The property is now a country house hotel, and hidden in the grounds is an Iron Age fort (750 BC - 80 AD). Cultoquhey has been translated as "Comhal's Battle" - Comhal being a legendary Pictish chieftain who, in all probability, would have defended his fort against the encroaching Romans building the M IX at the bottom of his garden!