Marr

Area : Marr
Parish : Cairnie
Kirkyard : St. Carol’s Parish Kirk,
Ruthven.
N.G.R. : NJ 506 469
S.A.M. :
Listing Category : Kirk and Yard Cat. B.
Boundary wall and gate piers : The gates
would benefit greatly from a coat of paint and
the boundary wall, to the l.h.s. of the entrance,
bulges significantly so that it will soon fall.
The Old Kirk : All that remains of the old
medieval kirk is the W. gable crowned by a very
block-like 17 th - century bellcote. The bell, dated
1643, was known locally as the “Wow of
Rivan”. The kirk fell into ruin circa 1685.
The gable is covered with superficial weeds that
must be sprayed.
Conservation Digest : Urgent details.
The boundary wall needs to be taken down and
rebuilt, at the area already specified, before this
section falls. The gable must have the surface
weeds to be sprayed to prevent the mortared
joints being eroded away.
The gates to the yard and the iron railing to the
recumbent effigy must be painted soon.
Interpretative Potential : Medium.
Although there is little else to see, the recumbent
knight and the remains of a once rather
tall kirk are interesting features of this yard.
Access issues : The kirkyard is located within
the tiny hamlet of Ruthven with parking for
several cars along the side of the yard.
Date of visit : 13/08/98.
Tombstones : There are approximately 16 recumbent
tombstones, of which none is particularly
well decorated. There are over one hundred
upright tombstones of mostly late 19 th -
century date.
On the N. side of the boundary wall, in an arched
recess, lies an effigy of a recumbent knight
wearing what has been described as an unusual
suite of armour. The 16 th - century knight
was said to be Tam o’Rivan, illegitimate son of
Sir John Gordon.
Early Features : To the r.h.s. of the gateway,
internally, stands a pointed standing stone
braced into the boundary wall.
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