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Newfoundland Tourism Region : Avalon
Holyrood: Located at the head of Conception Bay, about 48 km (30 mi) southwest of St. John's, the origin of Holyrood's name is "obscure" according to material presented in the ENL.
There are two possibilities, the first being that it is a "transfer" name. In Edinburgh, Scotland there is a very famous building, known as Holyrood Palace.
Its "complete" name, going back to the 16th century is in fact "The Palace of Holyroodhouse" and it is the official resident of the ruling British monarch of Scotland, currently Queen Elizabeth II.
If one is standing at the middle of the Royal Mile in Edinburg, on one end would be Edinburgh Castle and equally famous building, and at the other, the Palace.
It is suggested by ENL sources, that "the name was probably transferred to the area from Holyrood House in Edinburgh by either John Mason (an early surveyor] or one of his business partners in the early 1600s."
The other theory is that the name came from the language of the Scots back in the 1200s. According to material presented in the ENL, the historian M.F. Howley supported this notion.
According to Wikipedia contributors, in an old version of the Scots' language "rood" was the word for "cross", specifically the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
So "Holyrood" would translate to mean "Holy Cross". The Wikipedia contributors also state that a "rood" or "rood cross", sometimes known as a "triumphal cross", can also refer to a "cross or crucifix, especially the large crucifix set above the entrance to
the chancel of a medieval church" as well as a "large sculpture or painting of the crucifixion of Jesus".
The community is in an area known to have been settled Catholics, so either theory could be correct.
One other theory, which has not really had much support is found on the town's website, and that is that the "landscape itself suggested a cross", however whether or not that is true there is a large cross overlooking the town on George Cove Mountain, "that has been constructed as a reminder to residents and visitors of the significance of the community name (Brooks, 2013).
The population of Holyrood in 2016 was 2,463, a significant increase of 23.5% from the 1,995 that were enumerated in 2011.
Pegwood Pond: Located in Butter Pot Provincial Park on the Avalon Peninsula, according to W.G. Handcock (n.d.) in the document "Place Names of Newfoundland and Labrador" the Pond should have actually been Pigwood Pond.
The Pegwood Pond Trail is a well-known walking trail in the Park. The actual trail is 3.2-km long (one way) (1.99 mi) however, one only needs to walk for about five minutes, and you will arrive at "The Lookout" where you will have a magnificent view of the park and Butter Pot Hill.
BUTTER POT PROVINCIAL PARK:
Located on the Avalon peninsula approximately 36 km (22.mi) southwest of St. John's, BUTTER POT PROVINCIAL PARK covers an area of 2833 hectares (5517.9 acres) of varied terrain and vegetation - forests, bogs, heaths and ponds.
Hiking trails take you through forests and over barrens to a remarkable scenic view- point. The park takes is name from a number of a well recognizable "butter pots" found in the area.
From the NL TOURISM, CULTURE, ARTS AND
RECREATION website:
The term "butter pot" means a prominent rounded hill. The park is named for Butter Pot Hill which is found within the park boundary.
Long before the area became a park, nearby residents hunted, trapped game, picked berries, cut wood, and grazed their animals on Butter Pot Ridge.
Due to the rugged terrain the land was never settled.
Most of the area's vegetation was destroyed by fire around 1889. In sheltered areas the forest grew back quickly, but in exposed places it has not quite recovered.
Used with permission from "Uncovering the Origin of 1001 Unique Place Names in Newfoundland and Labrador" 2021 Jennifer Leigh Hill
Address of this page: http://nl.ruralroutes.com/Holyrood