Later entries were made in the book in the late 11th or 12th century – six in Gaelic and the seventh in Latin.
The Gaelic entries are the earliest known examples of written Scottish Gaelic and it is these which give the book its unique place in Scottish history and firmly place its existence at some point in the Buchan area. In other words, it is the combination of age, content and extreme importance which gives the Book of Deer an unrivalled place in the history of Scotland.
Entry 1
Entry 1 is the first of the six Gaelic entries in the Book of Deer and tells of the legend of the foundation of the Monastery of Deer by St Columba and St Drostan.
The upper portion of the page is in Latin while the section beginning with the large letter C is written in the native tongue of the scribe – Gaelic. This is the first part of the legend of the foundation of the Monastery of Deer and is found on folio 3r and continues on folio 3v.
Entries II to VI
These entries are records of gift of lands and favours granted by the local rulers of the north-east to the monastery at various times although precise dates are not known. The entries were recorded by a number of scribes over a period of time and again written in their native Scots Gaelic.
Entry VII
This entry is written in Latin and is a copy of the Charter granted to the clerics of the Monastery of Deer by King David I dated 1153. It is located on Folio 40.
David’s Latin Charter bestows on the monks of Deer a general immunity from all lay service and improper exaction.
