Archaeology Notes

Event ID 685290

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/685290

NO23SE 4.00 29161 30807

NO23SE 4.01 2915 3080 Pictish Cross-slab

(NO 2915 3080) Rossie Church (NR)

OS 6" map (1959)

The church is situated on a terrace overlooking the site of the old village of Rossie (NO23SE 5). A Pictish cross-slab found in the burial ground is now in the church.

(Undated) information in NMRS.

The old Kirk of Rossie probably occupies the site of an ancient monastic foundation as early records mention 'The Abbacy of Rossie'. Whether Culdee or Latin is not known but it was probably Culdee as it was gifted by David I (who suppressed the Culdees) to Matthew, Archdeacon of St Andrews, who in his turn conveyed the foundation and lands to the canons of St Andrews, a gift confirmed by Malcolm IV, a charter of whom refers to the village, church, and church-lands of 'Rossie-clerauch'.

In 1243 the church of Rossie was consecrated and dedicated to St Lawrence the Martyr and St Coman, Confessor. The old church was abandoned in 1670 when the parish was united with Inchture.

The building was restored as a memorial chapel in the 19th c.

An upright cross-slab, 5 1/2' high, bearing symbols, was found in the old burial ground (NO 291 307) and is now preserved in the church.

A H Millar 1890; D E Easson 1957; J Stuart 1867; J R Allen and J Anderson 1903