Wildgoose chase to Fetterangus

Grey Granite was mortified, having inadvertently taken her friend T on a wild goose chase of an expedition. The failure of our first objective led us to Fetterangus kirkyard to hunt what has been described as the 'angels in kilts' gravestone.

 The kirkyard, which is situated amidst fields to the west of the village, has an unusual, imposing gateway which includes the war memorial for the district

This badly weathered Pict'ish symbol stone is on the inside of the kirkyard dyke just to the left of the gate. The symbol stone is a block of whinstone just over 1m high and was unearthed in 1876. According to the RCAHMS record  the remains of a scroll, a mirror case and the triple disc with cross bar symbol were discernible in 1985. Grey Granite and T. were unable to discern them with any degree of confidence.

Ruins of the 12th century chapel just inside the kirkyard.

The rectangular chapel measures about 10m x4m and is thought to have originated as a cell frequented by St Fergus. The rubble walls are about 1m high and almost completely covered in ivy.

The chapel is now used as a burial enclosure,  the font is visible at the foot of the graveslab.

This is thought to be the chapel font, it is claimed that the water never disappears

The Kirkyard is attractively set about with yews and surrounded by a substantial dyke, stoutly buttressed on the outside. This dyke  was rebuilt by public subscription in 1877.

Looking through two of the yew trees over towards Drinnie's Wood and the Observatory

We eventually found the graveslab we were looking for nestling, partly concealed by ivy,  behind the chapel. The ivy has protected the carving which includes two angels of the resurrection, the date 1745, a pair of hour glasses and a roundel with the initials JW and AG. The date 1745 is interesting since, as will be seen below, the inscription on the stone does not appear to record a death in that year. 

The angels have very distinct features but we eventually concluded that they are wearing feathery skirts rather than kilts, thus preserving Peathill's claim to have the only kilted angels in the North East. The very feint lettering between the angels reads, 'The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised'.

Later Grey Granite checked out the full inscription in The Kirkyard of Fetterangus by J Shearer, published by Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society, and found that our wild goose chase had ended appropriately. The inscription reads:

'Here lyes waiting a glorious Resurrection the corpse of Anna Gordon spous to John Wildgoos in Hythy died 23 April 1736 aged 51 John Wildgoos her husband died 12 January 1752 aged 76 Also James Mary William and Jannet Wildgoo's their children.' (Sic)