17th century Dunnet minister who put Caithness on the map is subject of Castletown talk

Caithness-born freelance author James Miller is a popular speaker at Caithness Family History Society meetings and his next appearance will be at the March event to talk about a historic mapmaker called Rev Timothy Pont.

Jim, who is from Keiss but lives near Inverness, is well-known for his acclaimed books. These include Scapa; The Dam Builders; The North Atlantic Front; The Foresters; A Wild and Open Sea; The Gathering Stream; Swords for Hire; The Finest Road in the World and The Dunbars of Ackergill and Hempriggs.

The subject of this month’s talk is Timothy Pont, who was minister of Dunnet Parish Church between 1601 and 1610, but had previously travelled around Scotland, mapping the country. His detailed maps are the earliest surviving maps of Scotland.

The society be can contacted on caithnessfhs@btinternet.com or via its website and Facebook page.

The event is on Tuesday, April 9 at 7pm in Castlehill Heritage Centre, Harbour Road, Castletown. Everyone is welcome to attend.

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