View of headstone commemorating John McVicar (died 1764) with emblems of trade for gardeners.

Description View of headstone commemorating John McVicar (died 1764) with emblems of trade for gardeners.

Date 1994

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

Catalogue Number C 23433/5

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 801724

Scope and Content Gravestone of John McViccar, St Munn's Church, Kilmun, Argyll & Bute This gravestone features a helmet and mantling (leafy drapery) above a shield carved with tools of a gardener. These include a rake (left), a spool of string for marking out rows of plants (centre left), a pair of shears (centre right) and a spade (right). The dead tree in the centre of the stone refers to the deceased man's trade and also represents the Tree of Life. The incised motto at the top of the stone reads 'INDUSTRIA' (industry). The tree depicted on this gravestone is the tree of life, which has been killed by Death. Emblems with symbolic meaning were often chosen to reflect an aspect of the dead person's trade. For example, gardeners' graves often include scenes of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, whilst farmers' graves often show the symbolic 'Sower' and 'Reaper' of Life and Death. This gravestone commemorates John McViccar, who died in 1764. It is inscribed: 'Here lyes/the corps of John/McViccar late Gardener/in Kilmunn who died/March 8 1764 aged 70'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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