Marr

Area : Marr
Parish : Alford
Kirkyard : Alford West Parish Kirk.
N.G.R. : NJ 554 162
S.A.M. :
Listing Category : Kirk and Yard Cat. B.
Boundary wall and gate piers : The boundary
walls, gates and gate piers are in reasonable
order throughout, though there is a crack
at the gateway that needs to be keyed together
and re-pointed. A wild cherry tree to the rear of
the kirkyard must be removed soon as it threatens
the stability of the boundary wall at that
point.
The entrance gates would benefit greatly from
being brushed down and painted.
The minor wooden entrance gate to the rear of
the kirk needs to be replaced as it is rotten.
The Old Kirk : The present kirk is dated
1804, with renovations being carried out in
1826. The design was termed as the round
arched version of Kildrummy kirk, with an interesting
bow staircase, echoed in the form of
the kirk, to the rear of the building. A plain
ball-capped finial bellcote crowns the W. gable;
with the S. gable being composed of three
wide and tall rounded arch windows.
This very handsome kirk was found to be in
good order throughout though some of the recently-applied
harling to tbe rear of the kirk is
cracking. There are several loose slates on the
roof and the corrugated iron shed attached to
the rear of the kirk compromises the attractiveness
of the building somewhat.
Tombstones : There are approximately 32 recumbent
tombstones of which 7 are particularly
well-decorated. There are also well over a hundred
of upright tombstones dating from the 18 th
- century onwards, many of which are particularly
well-carved and interesting.
There are two very fine memorials built into the
S. wall of the kirk, one being a particularly good
upright memorial to Geo. Melvil and is dated
1678. The other memorial, the Balfluig Monument,
is to Mary Forbes and is composed of a
panel, now weathered, framed in heavy mouldings
and flanked by figures with labels and surmounted
by a winged putto. The entire monument
rests upon a skeleton carved in relief with
two skulls on either side.
Conservation Digest : Urgent details.
All of the recumbent tombstones need to be
brushed carefully and the gates require to be
replaced or repainted where appropriate.
Interpretative Potential : Medium.
The kirk and yard are extremely pleasant and
well-maintained with numerous memorials of
a high design status.
Access issues : The kirk is located on a country
road to the W. of, but not far from, Alford.
Date of visit : 20/07/98.
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