Fordyce Kirkyard

Grey Granite and Dr. Anne passed through gently undulating countryside to reach Fordyce. This attractive, secluded village, was created a Burgh of Barony by Bishop Elphinstone of Aberdeen in 1499.  The higgledy-piggledy streets and 18th century architecture have a charm which is very different from the grid iron streets and austere  buildings of most North East settlements.

St Tarquin's, or Talorgan's Church, dedicated to a Pictish  saint who was made bishop in about 500 and is thought to have founded a church in the area. The belltower is dated 1661. The church was in use until 1804 by which time a new larger church had been built to accommodate the expanding congregation. 

 The rather dank and spooky Abercromby Aisle contains this very  grand classical memorial to James Abercromby of Glassheugh who died in 1781. It also houses many pigeons.

 
This magnificent ogee-arched altar tomb, known as the Findlater and Boyne Tomb, is set into the wall of would would originally have been the chancel. The chancel is now open to the sky and the tomb is  prettily set about with ferns and ivy-leaved toad flax. The inscription on the front of the tomb translates as; 'Here rest  two honourable men, James Ogilvy of Deskford, and James Ogilvy his son and heir presumptive. The former died 13 February 1509 and the latter 1 February 1505. Pray for their souls'.

A wonderful recumbent effigy of a knight rests on the tomb, his feet supported by  a dog which Dr Anne thought looked rather like a Chinese animal.

The Birkenbog Tomb in the more westerly burial aisle within the former chancel dates from 1505.

Feverfew or Bachelor's Buttons (Tanacetum parthenium) growing on the kirkyard dyke.
As the name suggests this plant, introduced from the Balkans in the Middle Ages, was grown as folk remedy for colds and fevers and headaches. Recent experiments have proved that it really does help to relieve  migraines.