Publication Account

Date 1996

Event ID 1016463

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Publication Account

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1016463

Mortl ach is undoubtedly one of the earliest Christian sites in North-east Scotland. Although it is not clear when the first shrine, chapel or hermitage was built, the (relatively late) tradition that at least three bishops had been based at Mortlach prior to 1140 is accepted by most scholars.

The present church, which is still set in a small kirkton distinct from the much later planned town, dates from the 13th century. The chancel, with its narrow lancets, survives from what would have been a simple rectangular medieval church. The present modified 'T' plan stems from the extensions of 1826 and 1876. It was restored in 1931.

As well as the quiet focus provided by the dark chancel, Mortlach's interior contains many interesting furnishings. In the north wall is an arched recess with effigy, the tomb of Alexander Leslie of Kininvie (d c 1549), while, opposite, is an unusual, if guileless, lare 17th-century monument to the Duffs of Keithmore. The stained glass includes work by Cottier (chancel) and Strachan (south wall ), the latter with recognisable local views and a Canadian theme. In the vestibule is an important early Pictish stone with beast and rare curvilinear symbol which may have been based on a brooch, as well as several fine tombstones.

The kirkyard is full of interest, including a little watch-house, a line of confident distillers' tombs and a Pictish cross-slab, the Battle Stone, bearing on one side a cross between two fish monsters and a beast, and, on the other, a serpent, a bull's head and a horse and rider.

Information from ‘Exploring Scotland’s Heritage: Aberdeen and North-East Scotland’, (1996).