Grey Granite recently had time to kill in Mintlaw so decided to visit the ruins of nearby Deer Abbey. The abbey dates from 1219 when it was founded by William Comyn, Earl of Buchan.
A modern sculpture in the wall surrounding the abbey commemorates St Drostan, who brought Christianity to Buchan, St. Drostan established a religious foundation close to this spot, a tranquil haugh on the north bank of the Ugie. The extraordinary Book of Deer was written here and records Drostan's landing at New Aberdour.
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| The abbey stonework was plundered by the mad Admiral Ferguson of Pitfour around 1854 to build, amongst other structures, the Ferguson Mausoleum. Up until that time the ruins were fairly substantial. The Abbey seemsto have been rather plain and unadorned by decoration. It never housed more than 15 monks. |
One of the few remaining carvings above a doorway near the abbey kitchen.
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| One of several fan trained apples against the sunny south facing wall of the abbey grounds. There were a few apples, golden in the sunshine, still on the branches, many more lay on the ground, half eaten by assorted small creatures.The wall round the Abbey grounds, in places 5m high, was was built in 1809, by James Ferguson, (The Member) 3rd Laird of Pitfour probably using stone from the Abbey. At the same time the Abbey grounds were planted as an orchard and kitchen garden. Alas some of the ruins were 'restored' at this point with an enthusiasm which probably exceeded accuracy. |
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| Magnificent beech trees catching the low afternoon sun |
Grey Granite wonders if any of the trees date back to the member's planting in 1809.
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