View of gravestone with rose and thistle decoration.

Description View of gravestone with rose and thistle decoration.

Date c. 1990

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

Catalogue Number AN 6569

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 795030

Scope and Content Gravestone of Rhind children, St Fergus's Church and Burial Ground, Glamis, Angus This shows the gravestone with its curved top divided into two panels decorated with a lily (left) and a rose (right). The bottom of the stone features a tasselled ribbon inscribed: 'HORA FUGIT MEMENTO MORI' (The Hours fly, Remember you must die). Below the inscription is a row of death emblems, the hourglass, a coffin with 'spokes' used to carry it by the bearers, a skull with strange narrow eye-sockets and incised teeth, and crossed bones. The rose on this stone is a symbol of love, and the lily, purity, both suitable emblems for a child's grave. Scottish gravestones often feature depictions of flowers and greenery which symbolise rebirth, as well as recalling the floral tributes traditionally laid upon graves by mourners. This gravestone commemorates James Rhind, who died in 1734, Alexander Rhind, who died in 1734, and William Rhind, who died in 1744. It is inscribed: 'ERECTED BY/WILLIAM RHIND SHOEMAKER IN/GLAMIS & HELEN GRAY HIS SPOUSE/IN MEMORY OF THEIR SONS JAMES/RHIND WHO DIED 14 FEBY. /AGED 1YEAR 6 MONTHS 2 WEEKS &/ALEXANDER WHO DIED 12 MAY 1734/AGED 3 YEARS & the said William/Rhind who died 1744 aged 40'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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