The Stewart's of Orkney
The farm of Sandside was once the original settlement of James Stewart, the natural son of Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney.
Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney, Lord of Shetland (born in 1537, died 1593), was the illegitimate son of James V and Euphemia Elphinstone daughter of Lord Elphinstone who was part of the court circle. In 1581 his half sister Mary Queen of Scots made him Earl of Orkney. It is believed that James was his favourite son and that he gave James half of Graemsay as a gift.
It seems that James wasn’t content to own only half the island, so set about “acquiring” by rather aggressive means, the rest of Graemsay. After his Father’s death he fell foul of his half brother, Earl Patrick who imprisoned him and pulled down his house during a dispute over repayment of debt owed by Earl. James was also in dispute over some of his servants imprisoned by Patrick for helping Monteith of Gairsay avoid the Earl’s edict banning travel out of Orkney. James was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1611 but was unable to perform duties adequately owing to Patrick’s interference. James was a Member of Scottish Parliament 1607 but declared ineligible.
The title of Sandside was then passed from the Stewart family to the Honymans, who continued to use the house as the Laird’s residence.
HONYMAN
Mary Stewart, daughter of Sir James Stewart and lady of Graemsay in her own right married Bishop Andrew Honyman (she was his second wife). Their son Robert, inherited Graemsay. Andrew was consecrated Bishop of Orkney in 1664, and arrived in Orkney in 1665. He had been wounded in an assassination attempt on the life of Archbishop of St Andrews in Edinburgh when he intercepted bullets fired by an anti-Episcopalian zealot. Poisoning from the bullets led to his early death. He made his last appearance in the Scottish Parliament in 1669. He was in Kirkwall when the spire of St Magnus Cathedral was destroyed by lightning in 1671. He saved the bells and was instrumental in ordering their repair and restoration. organised the first Register of Deaths in Orkney. “Much loved and respected by all classes” (Wallace).
Honyman, Robert, b 1676, d 1737, 1st of Graemsay, married Catherine Graham of Breckness. Stewart and Sheriff Depute of Orkney 1725. Farmed bishopric estate 1722-26 and had claim on the Bellenden Stenness estate and parts of the Moodie lands in Walls. His mansion, Hall of Clestrain, Orphir, was plundered by pirate Gow 1725. He was accompanying Capt Moodie snr on his way to an official meeting in St Magnus Cathedral when Moodie was shot by the Steuart of Burray faction on Broad St and later died 1725. Honyman prepared a report to the Magistrates on the murder but did not pursue the matter further. Moodie’s widow, Christina Crawford, had Honyman charged with being an accomplice of the murderers and to having failed to arrest them. He was detained in Edinburgh Tolbooth but was acquitted at the subsequent trial.
Honyman, Sir William, b. 1756, d1825, Lord Armadale – Court of Session Judge; great grandson of Robert Honyman 1st of Graemsay. Prominent lawyer and landowner whose Orkney estate, including Graemsay, was second largest after the Earldom. On appointment as Judge assumed title of Lord Armadale. A shrewd businessman he was also a Director of the Bank of Scotland and was the first Orkney laird to divide the commonty in his Stenness estate 1802/7.
Information gathered from archives and records in Orkney Room, Kirkwall Library.