In 1798, Thomas Scollay, as the eldest living son received the sasine of his deceased father’s lands of Odness, Trundershall and Papa Stronsay. William Watt of Breckness (a second cousin due to a marriage between the Scollays and the Watts, another of the Orkney “families.”) was acting as Factor “loco tutoris” for Thomas Scollay, who had been deaf and dumb since birth.
- Robert’s mother was Margaret Fea, the daughter of James Fea IV of Clestrain and Isobel Traill
- Robert’s second wife, Jean Baikie, was the daughter of Rev Thomas Baikie and Elizabeth Fea, the daughter of Patrick Fea I of Whitehall.
- Robert’s paternal grandparents were Robert Scollay and Elspeth Fea
The Scollays of Odness were believed to have
the gift of second sight. Towards the end of last century there were
three of that family, two sisters and a brother, all deaf and dumb.
The sisters lived in Kirkwall, and when Richan of Rapness and his boat’s
crew were drowned going to Westray, they were seen to be in great distress,
wringing their hands and pointing seawards. The brother lived at Skaill
with Mr Watt, and every now and then he would look out an extra supply of
silver and see it polished, and would have a spare room or rooms prepared
for occupation, and this restlessness was speedily followed by the arrival
of unexpected visitors to the number indicated by Scollay. So it is
said. Kirkwall In The Orkneys (1900), page 176 - B H Hossack |