View of gravestone for George McCullie dated 1789, in the churchyard of Kilspindie Parish Church.

Description View of gravestone for George McCullie dated 1789, in the churchyard of Kilspindie Parish Church.

Date 1986

Collection Papers of Betty Willsher, historian, St Andrews, Scotland

Catalogue Number A 34342

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 1552868

Scope and Content Gravestone of George McCullie, Kilspindie Parish Church and Old Parish Church, Perth & Kinross This gravestone features a winged soul wearing a periwig. His face is so distinctive that it may be intended as a portrait. The winged soul symbolises the deceased's spirit ascending to Heaven after death. The main part of the stone features a shield surrounded by a helmet and mantling (leafy draperies). In the centre are carved the scissors and 'goose' (iron) of a tailor. The base of the stone is carved with a row of death emblems: the crossed bones, the skull, and the hourglass. The armorial panel on this gravestone does not conform to rules of heraldry, and is an adaptation of a traditional style used by masons for its connotations of wealth and power. Country masons probably copied and adapted the designs from the tombs of the aristocracy, substituting trade emblems, hearts and initials in the panel usually filled with a shield or crest. This gravestone commemorates George McCullie, who died in 1782. It is inscribed: 'This stone was erected by/Andrew McCullie Taylor/in Rait and Elizabeth Reid/his spouse in memory of/his father George McCullie/tenant in Flawcraigs/who died 26th May 1782'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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