Marr

Area: Marr
Parish : Aboyne and Glentanar
Kirkyard : Kirkton of Aboyne.
N.G.R. : NJ 541 001
S.A.M. : Scheduled Site.
Listing Category : Unlisted.
Boundary wall and gate piers : The boundary
walls, gates and gate piers are in a reasonable
state of repair, though the boundary walls
are showing many cracks and will need to be
monitored regularly. A substantial rowan tree,
and various other saplings, are growing on top
of the boundary wall and these must be removed
soon.
There are the bases of several finials built onto
the boundary wall at intervals.
The kirkyard is full of many beech trees that
give the place a very dark and dense atmosphere;
several of these trees could have their
lower branches removed to let more light into
the yard.
Interpretative Potential : Low.
There is little of any particular interest within
the kirkyard.
Access issues : Although the kirkyard is located
just off the main Aberdeen to Aboyne road, the
small turning could be easily missed. The track
to the yard is through a field of cows and care
must be taken to shut the gates properly. The
kirkyard does have a proper gate though the
main way in is over a stile.
Date of visit : 18/07/98.
The Old Kirk : All that remains of the old
kirk, originally dedicated to St. Adamnan, are
a range of turf-covered footings quite clearly
evident within the yard.
Tombstones : There are approximately 15 recumbent
tombstones of which 6 are particularly
well-decorated. There are also approximately
75 upright memorials from the mid-19 th - century.
Occupying the E. end of the kirk is a plain rectangular
burial enclosure.
Conservation Digest : Urgent details.
The boundary wall requires to be monitored as
it sports many cracks though none as yet has
opened sufficiently to allow the wall to fall.
The trees and saplings growing on the top of
the boundary wall must be remove very soon.
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