St Mary's Kirkyard Banff

High Shore
High Shore is a remnant of 17th century Banff, the inn , the Market Arms is the oldest continuously occupied building in Banff. The pink washed  house, Number 1 High Shore, has a tiny turret with a corbel dated 1675

St Mary's Churchyard, described as the heart of medieval Banff,  nestles tranquilly between the stateliness of High Shore and tawdriness of Tesco. The graveyard contains an impressive array of stones ranging from the large and ostentatious to dignified, plainer stones, here the distinguished and noble lie beside the humbler citizens of the burgh.

All that remains of St Mary'  Church, built around 1471,  most of which was demolished in 1797 is the 16th century Banff Aisle. Note the moulding round the doorway.

Crow steps and a mullioned window in the north wall of   the Banff aisle, the burial place of the Ogilvies of Deskford, then one of the most important families in Banffshire.

16th century Ogilvie wall tomb within the aisle.

The level of the kirkyard round the aisle was raised by several feet during the extensive 'graveyard gardening' of around 1815 when it was landscaped  with paths, trees and shrubs.

The many of the gravestones in the kirkyard have wonderful carvings of mortality and immortality symbols, a small selection is included here.Some include representations of trades,  several of the stones have symbols completely covering one side with the inscription on the reverse.

Tombstone with a mason's tools and open book within an elaborate classical archway The 3 rosettes occur frequently in the kirkyard.

End panel of  a table tomb displaying two angels with trumpets and a classical archway containing mason's tools.

Pyramidal monument to Rear Admiral William Gordon. The inscription reads:

"Sacred to the memory of William Gordon, Esquire, Rear-Admiral of the White Squadron, who, after bravely serving his country for more than forty years, died at Banff 12th April, 1769, aged 64. His behaviour in public life was one continued and uniform exertion of humanity, patriotism and valour. Gentleness and elegance of manners, a friendly benevolent and tender heart, and a strict regard to every religious and social duty, are some of those engaging qualities that distinguished him in private life, and have left upon the minds of his surviving friends a regret which no length of time will be able to remove. . . . Mrs. Elizabeth Forbes erects this marble as a memorial of her gratitude and love to a most affectionate husband and most amiable child."

Huge, imposing monument dated 1698 to members of the Sharp family, including  Archbishop Sharp who was murdered by a band of Covenanters on Magus Muir near St Andrews in 1769.

Monument of a gardener with his tools and the inscription
'Life how short, eternity how long' There are several variants on this sentiment in the kirkyard. 

Rosettes and an anchor for Robert Cargill the elder and his son also Robert, of Arbroath, who lost their lives when their ship sank whilst trying to enter Macduff harbour on 28 April 1787

Stone dedicated to the children of John Michie, beneath the winged soul  on the pediment is a panel showing two angels, one carrying  a trumpet, the other an hour glass flank a four poster death bed above a death's head and bones. Both angels are standing on spheres representing the world

Monument to Alex Reid dated 1764, the angel is blowing a trumpet from which an inscribed banner flows 

The imposing monument, with recumbent effigy in armour and with a dog at the fee,  to George Baird of Auchmedden dated 1636. By the time this monument was constructed the use of effigy in mediaeval armour was outmoded but the ogee-shaped arch and over-sized baroque escutcheon above it were in the latest mode. 

A range of mortality symbols

The Grim Reaper complete with scythe and hourglass.