Peathill: The Auld Kirk and Kirkyard

Grey Granite recently took part in an event held at Peathill kirkyard at which the recently restored Mercer garvestone was unveiled by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, Mike Taitt and the  Principal Officer, USA Consulate in Edinburgh, Danna Linnet. The event celebrated the historic links between Rosehearty and USA and provided an opportunity for the wondrous Pitsligo Pew to be viewed. Following the unveiling of the gravestone Grey Granite's booklet, 'Peathill:The Auld Kirk and Kirkyard' was launched.

Major Mike Taitt and Danna Linnet unveil the recently restored Mercer grave slab, this is on the north side of the original kirk. The grave is that of Rev. William Mercer and his wife, Anna Monro. William Mercer was minister of Pitsligo for 47 years from 1720 until 1767 and was the father of General Hugh Mercer. Hugh Mercer followed Lord Pitsligo to Culloden as a surgeon in the Jacobite Army before eventually escaping to America, where he rose to prominence taking part in the American Wars of Independence. He rose to the rank of General and was a personal friend of George Washington, following his death on 12th January 1777, from wounds received nine days earlier at the battle of Princeton, Mercer became a great hero and is still revered in the States. Danna  Linnet, Principal Officer, USA Consulate in Edinburgh prefaced the unveiling by outlining the regard with which Mercer is still held, numerous towns and cities  across the States are named after him and have roads and statues in his honour.

The glory of Peathill is the Pitsligo Pew created in 1634 and moved from  the original church to the new building in 1890. 

Grey Granite signing copies of her booklet 'Peathill:The Auld Kirk and Kirkyard' which was launched following the unveiling of the Mercer slab.

Grey Granite's book explains the significance of the symbols on the oldest gravestones in the kirkyard and describes some of the extraordinary features of the kirkyard as well as exploring links between Pitsligo and the wider world. There has been a church at Peathill since the 17th century and the  graveyard reflects centuries of change in the local community. The gravestones tell the fascinating story of the links between Pitsligo and the wider world, the Covenanters, the Jacobites, the American War of Independence and the impact of two World Wars. Copies are available from Grey Granite and directly from Lulu.com. An ebook version is also available from Lulu.