Situated at
highest point in the centre of the village of the same name Fettercairn
was established in the 13th century and dedicated to St Mark. The present
church building dates from 1803 having previously replaced a relict dating
back to 1450.The churchyard grounds are well
maintained though the ground drops sharply on the NE side - so be careful
if you walk on this part. It would be easy to lose your balance at certain
points and you could hurt yourself! The stones are tightly packed in
places. A number of the memorials are quite distinctive and there is a
satisfying variety of designs. Most stones appear intact and there is
little sign of any deliberate damage, though inevitably nature has taken
its
toll on some of the older monuments.
Parking is reasonably easy if you drive around the few streets of the
village - though the centre parking area always
seems full. Incidentally while you are
there have a look at the arch built to commemorate Queen Victoria's
Jubilee and the monument in the market square.
The monument
is of special significance. This is the only remnant of the original town of Kincardine. Being such an important artifact I would have thought the authorities might
have done something more to protect it and show it off, but it stands
hemmed in by cars and vans. Could something not be
done to protect it
from vehicles and let tourists walk round it without squeezing past
vehicles? Is the council so hard up it cannot even afford a plaque to
explain it significance? Anyway judge for yourself.
The graveyard is most certainly worth a visit. See
how it dominates the village by its presence, towering over the
surrounding houses. Everyone is forced to look up to the house of God in
Fettercairn!
If you require a specific gravestone photo from the above send me your relevant details and
I'll e-mail you what I have. Contact me
here
Click on photos below to enlarge
