There are in these isles many little Chappels, now generally ruinous, as in the isle of Unst there are 24 and upwards. In the isle of Yell there are 21 and many in other isles. I saw one of them in the Parish of Tingwal, wherein also there are several mo; it would have contained scarce 30. People, as I judge, and tho so little, yet very great Stones were in the Walls, which was strange to me, how that in this Countrey, where their Beasts are weak, and they have not the help of Machines, they got them lifted and laid.
These are said to have been built by Superstitious Zealots in the time of Popery, or as some rather think by Ship-wrackt Seamen, who coming late[?] to shore, have Built them according to their Vows made by them when in danger, which they dedicated to so many several Saints, whom they looked upon as the Patrons of their Respective Chappels. About which also Men and Women of Old had their night walkings, which occasioned much uncleanness, but now such walkings are but little used.
About the Walls of these old Chappels are found Snails, called Shell-Snails, which they dry and pulverize, mingling the dust with their drink for the Jaundice, by which means these who labour under this sickness in 3 or 4 days time will recover of the same, but if they let this dust ly for a Year, without making use of it, it turneth into small living Creatures or Vermine, which they dry and bray over again, if they make any further use of it.
From A new description of Orkney.. by John Brand, 1703.
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