Scotland has unfortunately been neglected in these
pages: this was not through any deliberate avoidance but simply through
lack of material. I had several photographs from the Western Isles,
Mull, Iona and Oronsay, which I had taken myself, but that was all. I
had been promised several by others but these unfortunately never materialized.
I discovered a book: a reprint of The Monumental
Effigies of Scotland by Robert Brydall, which was
published in 1895 and which lists and contains drawings of medieval
effigies. I did not find the drawings particularly good, although they
did give an idea of what these monuments look (or looked) like as well
as, most importantly, where
they are (or were); so initially I intended just to provide a list.
Scotland's counties are like those of Wales in that they
have
changed over the years and become larger, so covering a much -
sometimes considerably - larger area than the old ones used to : Highlands is a very big place indeed!
And somehow the sound of those old counties - rather like the Scottish
football results and the Shipping Forecast, especially when read by
Charlotte Green, is a delight in itself. A
similar situation has recently occurred in France where the new
régions now cover a much larger areas than did the old ones.
This increased size of these administrate areas make locating the monuments,
and journey planning, much more difficult so, in both cases, I have used
the old style. However I found a number of images on the internet which
had clearly been taken from the book described and they did look reasonable
enough and
using the maxim, what is the use of a website
without pictures, I decided to include them. I also have a reprint
of a three volume work - The Ecclesiastical Architecture of Scotland
by David MacGibbon and Thomas Ross, published in 1897 - which also
includes a number of rather sketchy drawings, so I included these as
well.
There are bound to have been changes in the years since these books
appeared: effigies may have 'come in from the cold' (the damaging
elements, that is) and are now in the church, a nearby museum or a
roofed building in a ruined abbey. There may well be several which have
been missed for one reason or another and so not included. The
identifications are taken from the books and I have no evidence of the
accuracy of that identification, except where there is a contemporary
inscription or heraldry.
I have supplemented this collection of drawings, which have been
long in the public domain by photographs from the internet. And there
lies a problem: I have tried always to acknowledge the 'author' of these
images and obey all the rules of 'intellectual property rights' wherever
I can but, despite my efforts, if I have not always succeeded, I
apologize. So I sometimes may not have complied with the letter of the
law but before taking up arms against me, please note that the site is
for research and academic purposes only, I do not charge visitors to the
site, nor do I make any profit from it (rather the opposite), and
the photographs that appear have been compressed and reduced in size so
are of little use if copied.
We hope to visit Scotland next year and will certainly take a
number of photographs. We look forward to Haggis and Chips,
Pipes and the Single Malts, and Arbroath Smokies but will
forego Irn Bru and Tablet.
Don't mention the midges.
| Please note that this is the completion of the first
stage in this very incomplete armchair survey of Scotland's
church monuments. The are many gaps, especially for the
post-medieval ones, and many errors; but it's a beginning. I
will now work through modern works - which are not specifically
about church monuments and augment and correct the information,
county by county. I will also hunt for more photographs. I will
then update the site at intervals when I have gleaned as much
information as possible for each county. |
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Gilbert Menzies of Pitfoddles and his wife,
Marjory Liddel. (15th century) This effigies are
reported by Robert Brydall to have been in the churchyard of
Marycultur church where they were once underneath an arch. They
were moved to Aberdeen in the later 19th century and now lie on
adjacent window sills. They condition look remarkable good to
have been removed from a churchyard so the arch must have been
very effective
The photographs are from 'Doric
Columns' website |
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Above: Alexander Irvine of Drum ; his
wife, Elizabeth de Keith is also supposed to be here; I will seek
this further.
He was one of the commissioners would travelled to England to
plead for the release of King James I and bring him back to Scotland.
This is supposed to be his effigy.
Right: John Collison and his wife,
Margaret Setoun. He was provost* in 1521.
There appears to be considerable doubt
about the indentity of these effigies. I will
research further
* A provost is equivalent to what would be called
in England The Lord Mayor |
| Old Aberdeen
- St Machar's Cathedral |
| Only the nave survives in its entirety; it
is used as the parish church |
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| Bishop Leighton |
Bishop Gavin Dunbar
(right) Unknown ldft |
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| Bishop Patrick Scougal (1685) |
Archdeacon Barbour (1396)
unlikely |
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A late 13th or early 14th
century knight/lady pair of effigies, formerly, as may be
deduced by their condition, in the churchyard but brought in the
late 19th century into the church. Robert Brydall writes 'hardly
worth preserving': hardly an attitude to disseminate!
From the website: 'Battle of
Bana' |
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| Ruthven Old Church |
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| The church is in ruins |
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Thomas Gordon of Ruthen,
locally known as 'Tam O' Ruthven. Note the mamélieres,
metal structures attached to the breast plate with a small
protruding ring to which a chain was attached; the other end of
the chain held the sword, dagger, helm etc. One is shield
shaped, the other an ornamented disc. The chains have long since
worn away.
photograph by Susan
Lynne Schwenger |
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| Kilmaurs |
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| William, 9th Earl of
Glencairn. The monument was erected in 1660, although
he died in 1664 and was buried in St Giles, Edinburgh |
A Tale of Fraud
Duff House Mausoleum, Banff |
In the Mausoleum of Duff House are - or were - a series of
monuments to the Duff family dating back to medieval times, so
far, in fact, none the none less than that of King Robert Bruce
himself, although he was actually buried at Dunfermline, might
be seen there; and the earliest of the Duff family monument in
the Mausoleum was that of Alexander Duff of Braco, who had died
in 1705, and that had been moved from Braco churchyard in 1793.
As had that of the 1st Earl.
Duff House was built between 1735 and 1740 by Adam for William Duff
of Braco and the mausoleum, a neo -gothic construction, for the
2nd Earl in 1793.
This fraud was finally confirmed by Aberdeenshire Council and
Historic Scotland in the late 1990's.
The monuments had been appropriated from elsewhere by the 2nd Earl
in order to pass them off as his ancestors and so 'prove' his
descent from the medieval Earls of Duff.
King Robert's monument was shown to be that of a 17th century
sheriff. That shown was of a Duff of Muldavit and had been moved
from Cullen Old Kirk and recut to show the date of 1404; it was
returned in 1965. I understand that most of the monuments are
still in the building.
The mausoleum is closed to the public but the Friends of Duff house
open it in September each year.
See also Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
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BUTESHIRE |
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Top row: left & centre:
Unidentified lady. Is she holding and child on her left arm?
Right: A Stewart of Bute, late 14th century.
Said to be either John Stewart, Sheriff of Bute (1449),
an illegitimate son of Robert II or Robert, High (1327/8)
who married Marjorie Bruce and was father of Robert II. This is
also shown detail on the bottom row, right.
Bottom row: left & centre: Unidentified and very worn; note the
hunting horn. In the background can be seen the weepers
form the lady's monument: see above right
Photographs by David Ross.
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Below and right are
drawings of two of the above monuments
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| Sanquhar
Church |
Mouswald Old Parish Church |
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The church ceased being used for worship in
2014. Mouswald is Norwegian for Mossy Field |
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| Effigy of an ecclesiastic. It is
interesting to note that the effigy was removed from the old
church during its demolition but later reinstated |
Sir Simon Carruthers,
his lady's effigy by is side is greatly worn
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FIFE
This county is to be found
here |
EAST LOTHIAN
This county is to be found here |
FOFARSHIRE
This county is to be found
here |
HADDINGTONSHIRE
This county is to be found here |
| Beauly Priory |
| Beauly Priory is ruinous and under care of
Historic Scotland |
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Sir Kenneth Mackenzie
of Kintail (1481)
Arms and Latin inscription, although I can't
see it in these images! |
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Arbuthnot Church. |
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Hugo de Arbuthnot
(late C13) Note the arms which can be more
clearly seen in the drawing |
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Dundrennan Abbey |
| Ruinous: now under the care of
Historic Scotland |
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.png) |
Top right:
Patrick
Douglas (1480) Monk and cellarer. Very low relief;
Latin inscription
Top left: Unknown nun (1440) Latin inscription.
Incised slab
Above: Alan,
Lord of Galloway (early C13)
By © User:Colin / Wikimedia
Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47156391
Right: Unknown Abbot.
The item carved just to the left of his right hand looks
remarkably like a dagger, but surely must represent a cross.
By Hopmans at nl.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3778838 |
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| Kirkudbright |
| I believe that this monument in in the
castle rather than the church, but I cannot confirm this at the
moment. The castle is partly ruinous and in the care of Historic
Scotland |
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| Margaret, Countess of Douglas |
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._Douglas_and_Beatrix_Sinclair,_e.png) |
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Marjory Abernethy
(1245-1270)?
Wife of Hugh Douglas,
Son of Sir William Douglas |
James 'the Gross' 7th
Earl of Douglas and his wife, Beatrix
(Sinclair) |
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| DRAWINGS of the ABOVE |
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| Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of
Douglas (1438/9) |
'Good' Sir James
Douglas (1330) |
James 'the Gross' 7th
Earl of Douglas and his wife, Beatrix
(Sinclair) |
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Marjory Abernethy
(1245-1270)?
Wife of Hugh Douglas,
Son of Sir William Douglas |
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Above: Unknown medieval
bishop
Centre left: Not yet defined
Centre: Not yet defined, outside
Centre right and far right: Barons of the House of
Mynto. Monument and detail. This monument has one of the few
brasses in Scotland |
LINLITHGOWSHIRE
This county is to be found here |
MIDLOTHIAN
(also known as Edinburghshire)
This county is to be found here |
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Elgin Cathedral |
| Elgin Cathedral is a Roman
Catholic Cathedral. It is ruinous and under the care of Historic
Scotland |
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Top row:
1. Three fragmentary effigies. 2a. Said to be
Robert Innes of
Innesmarkie or Innermarkie .
The effigy is too small for its recess. There are two
shields of arms, which cannot be seen from the
photograph. 2b A Stewart (Alexander, Duke of
Albany), 2nd son of James II. Inscription and
fragmentary heraldry. The latter two monuments are
in south wall of the south transept. The fragmentary
effigies may include that of Bishop Columba Dunbar
(1422-35), Sir Alexander Dunbar of Westfield (1497), and
-possibly - Bishop John Innes (1407-14)
Bottom row: 1 & 2. Alexander Gordon,
1st Earl of Huntly (1470). Latin epitaph
Right: Unknown bishop or abbot |
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Above:
William de la Hay (1421) Latin epitaph. Three
shields of arms said to be on the breast.
Near entrance to Lady Chapel.
Right: Bishop John of Winchester (1460)
In the south aisle three bays remain vaulted, this
area being known as The Lady Chapel. The
monument to Bishop John is in the wall next to the choir. There
is another monument to a bishop in this same wall; this may be
the one shown top right but I cannot confirm this at the
moment.
There is a further effigy in the passage between choir and north
aisle, but the type is (or cannot be identified)
There is another reference to a monument in the north wall of
the choir but no further details are given.
The photographs of John of Winchester and Alexander
Gordon (2) are by Calagus.
Licensed |
| Aberdalgie Church |
Priory Church of Inchmahome, Menteith |
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The church is on an Inchmahome Island, the largest of
three islands at the centre of the Lake of Menteith, 15 miles from Sterling.
It is mostly in ruins but much remains. The effigies are
situated in the former chapter house, which is roofed. The
buildings are under the care of Historic Scotland and are
scheduled as an Ancient Monument. It may be visited by a boat
operated by Historic Scotland between March and September, which
departs from the pier at Port Menteith. |
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Sir William Oliphant
(1329)
Very worn.Was in church
yard but now inside on a modern tomb chest, under a modern arch.
Very low relief, black marble, Latin inscription |
Above left and Right top:
Walter Bailloch
('freckled') Stewart , Earl
of Menteith (1225/1230-1293-1294), and Countess Mary (c. 1286).
Mary held the title in her own right and Walter became
earl in right of his wife
Right bottom:
said to be Sir John of
Menteith (1275-1329) , son of Walter and Mary
By bubobubo 2; under licence
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode
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Coupar Abbey |
Little of nothing remains of
the abbey: the parish church was built on the site of the abbey
church
Some of these monuments were excavated among the remains |
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Above: Panels of tomb
chest; said to be the of Hays of Errol |
This effigy, said to be built into the
church yard wall at Erroll is said to be fo the 8th Earl of
Erroll
May be from the Abbey |
Above Left:
Bishop Finlay Dermot or Clement?
Above Right: Bishop
Michael Ochiltree? I have
not found a reasonable photograph of this monument.
Below left &
right: Malise, 8th Earl of Streathearn (1271),
and his Countess. The drawing gives a better
representation of the lady
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Dunkeld Cathedral
Now a parish church |
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 Left bottom: Bishop
Sinclair
Author: Otter.
Licensed
Above: Bishop Robert Cardeny (1420)
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Above and left top: Alexander Stewart, 5th Earl
of Buchan (1405) Called 'The Wolf of Badenoch'
The above two photographs from Lilli Vella on pinterest who
acknowledges Canmore.org.uk. Photographs take for RCHAM
(Scotland) |
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| Drawings |
Above: 'The Wolf of Badenoch
Near right: Bishop Cardeny
Mid right: Monument in the chapter house.
Far right: Grave slab |
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| Kinfauns
Church |
Kinnoull |
Weem |
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| The arched recess may have been an Easter
Sepulchre; it was only discovered after the church fell into
decay. In front is a tomb slab |
George, 1st
Earl of Kinnoull. Erected 1635 |
Erected 1616 by Sir Alexander
Menzies in memory of his two wives and maternal
ancestors beginning with his great great grandmother. Their
names are on the monuments but not recorded. Ont wife was
Margaret (Campbell) |
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Muthill
The Old Church |
| Muthill Old Church is ruinous apart from
the tower; a new church was built in 1826-8. The Old Church is
under the care of Historic Scotland |
There are several monuments from the Old Church which are now
kept for their protection in the ground floor of the tower. One
is a Kn/L effigy, thought to be that of Sir Maurice
Drummond of Kincraig (1362) and his wife, Ada.
As is the general case in Scotland, the knight's legs are not
crossed. It is in a very worn condition. I do not have any
satisfactory images.
I have not information about the other monuments.
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Above left (top and bottom)
and above right top:
Said to be
Marjorie Bruce, daughter of King Robert Bruce.
Robert Brydall comments on the hair as
'clumsy locks' and speculated that they may be as restoration by a
local mason. He also mentions that there is a gablette over the
head but, although he provides a drawing of this, the structure
has clearly been removed. He also notes that the tomb chest was
provided recently by a local minister who included various
fragments found free in the church. The identification is local
and popular but not
proven. The gablette in situ in shown in the drawing top
right.
Above right bottom: Victorian monument over the remains of
King Robert III who was buried in the Abbey. His original
monument was lost
Top right image: By Stephencdickson - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62009437 |
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Houston Parish Church |
.png) |
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.png) |
Sir Patrick Houston (1450)
and
his wife, Agnes Campbell (1456)
There is no
original tomb chest remaining and the effigies now lie in a
recess cut for them. The effigies have been recut.
Origin of photographs above: RCAHMS
Photograper: Mrs Zoe Ballentine |
Renfrew Old Parish
Church
High Street |
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| Left, above
and right:
Sir John Ross and Marjory (Muir).
The above sketch shows a pointed arch,
but we do get a glipse of Marjory. Thedrawing to the left
shows a round arch with a Latin inscription which indicates
to monument is that of John Ross of Hawkehede
(Halkhead) and Marjory, his wife. |
| Selkirk |
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| Sandstone slab with inscription; the word
Aikwood can be made out. Said to be one of the Scots of
that place. |
Falkirk
Old and St Modan Parish Church
or
Falkirk Trinity Church |
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Robert Brydall refers to a modern notice
placed by these effigies: 'The effigies, believed
to be memorials of the earliest feudal lords of Callender,
originally lay at the South Transept of the church. In 1810 when
the church was rebuilt, that transept being taken down, these
figures remained exposed to the weather and the injury from the
feet of passengers, until April 1852 when they were placed
on this monument by William Forbes, who, as proprietor of the
Estates of Callender, felt himself called on to protect from
further injury these memorials of former Barons.' and
continues 'They were placed in the vestibule of the church but
further alterations in 1892-93 necessitated their removal again
to be placed in a crypt under better light.'
This explains their very worn condition, especially as they were presumably
resting on the ground without a tomb chest or other support.
Robert Rydall writing in 1895 presumably found them in the crypt
and the two small photographs, taken in the early 20th century
show them this lying on modern tomb chests. These latter have
now gone and they are now displayed standing upright elsewhere
in the church.
The armour and dress of the couple on the left look early 17th
century while that of those on the right look mid 15th century.
So not the earliest feudal lords and their ladies.
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Airth Old Church |
| The old church is in a ruinous
state and in the care of Historic Scotland; access is restricted
for reasons of safety. There is also a new church at Airth but
the effigy remains here. |
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This interesting but badly worn effigy in
under an arch in a wall of the Old Church.
Photograph from the website: 'Corpus
of Scottish Medieval Churches |
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Cambuskenneth Abbey |
| The abbey is in a ruinous state with little
remaining except for an intect bell tower; it is under the care
of Historic Scotland |
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| Victorian monument to
James III who were buried before the high altar; their
remains were discovered on excavation and buried below this
table tomb. |
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| Rowdil - Priory Church of St
Clement |
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Church still in use |
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Left and above top: South wall of
choir: Latin inscription. Tomb and details of effigy.
Alexander MacCleod of Dunvegan (1528)
South wall of nave: There is a similar but simpler
monument with military effigy in a corresponding position to
that above but on the opposite (west) side of the opening into
the south transept. There is no illustration.
Above bottom: South transept: This brief sketch shows an
effigy in poor condition: that in the nave is said to be similar
but better preserved. |
| Iona |
Mull |
Oronsay |
| These islands have been
dealt with in their own section |
|
_Douglas,_St_Bride's_Church,_Douglas,_South_Lanarkshire.png)
