Location
On the promontory to the West of Gardenstown the final part of the access road can only be negotiated on foot.
Gardenstown, Macduff
OS Map Reference
NJ 791 644
Description
The ruined church of St Johns; the ruins of former parish church dedicated to St John the Evangelist said to be founded in 11thC. The present church has been built in two periods at least, the east end probably early 16thC and the rest 17thC; measures 28.75m long by 4.72m wide; rubble built, gable ends; wall and gable remain to roof height; ambry in E wall; 16thC Barclay of Tolly monument; 17thC onwards monuments in churchyard; fell in to ruin mid 19thC when new parish church built in 1830. Repointed in 1961.
In 1004 after a battle with the Danes the battle of the Bloody Pits (or pots) trophy skulls were brought here where they remained till fairly recently in a niche in the wall, Bloodymire (NJ 726 635) where Barbara Bruce lived is a possible site for the battle. One of the skulls went to the Banff museum. Arial photos of Bloodymire farm show crop marks of pits.
An entry in E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. says " "Kirk of Skulls."Gamrie church in Banffshire: so called because the skulls and other bones of the Norsemen who fell in the neighbouring field, called the Bloody Pots, were built into its walls. " presumably relates to St Johns and not the newer 1830 Gamrie church.
Related Information
There are approximately 129 recumbent tombstones, 12 of which are significantly decorated, with well over one hundred
upright stones of varying ages.
A large barbed and tanged Flint arrowhead, found in the 19th century near St John's Church, was donated to the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (NMAS) by W Watson of Glendevon.
Era
1500s
Information Source
Http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/archaeology/smr/ RCAHMS
Related Artefacts
Categories
Photographer
- Stanley Bruce
Unavailable Data
- Date
- Iconography
- Creator
- External Links
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