Kirkmichael Churchyard 'st Michael's Cross'

St Michael's Cross stands in the churchyard at Kirkmichael. Local tradition holds that this was a preaching cross erected by the Culdees.

The cross is about 1.5m high with a shaft 0.3m wide, broadening to 0.7m at the crosspiece. No decoration on the cross is recorded, and the local association with the Culdees remains to be proven.

The Culdees were a religious order active throughout Scotland and Ireland from the eighth century to the twelfth century, and their name derived from the Gaelic for 'Servant of God'. They followed a strict ascetic life and often lived in communities that followed the model of St Columba's community on Iona. They were largely superseded by the Augustinian Canons, who were in some respects a similar organisation, often being based in and serving a local community.

Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project

Kirkmichael (St Michael), Banff, cross

Measurements: H 1.50m above ground, W across arms 0.70m, W shaft 0.30m

Stone type: sandstone

Place of discovery: NJ 1436 2384

Present location: in situ in Kirkmichael Churchyard.

Evidence for discovery: first recorded in 1921 standing in Kirkmichael churchyard, facing east/west.

Present condition: good.

Description

A sturdy cross carved in one piece, this has tapering arms, of which the upper arm is longer than the side-arms. It is plain apart from a circular hollow at the centre of the cross-head on both sides.

Date range: early medieval.

Primary references: Duncan 1921, 23.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2019

Kirkmichael (St Michael), Banff, cross

Measurements: H 1.50m above ground, W across arms 0.70m, W shaft 0.30m

Stone type: sandstone

Place of discovery: NJ 1436 2384

Present location: in situ in Kirkmichael Churchyard.

Evidence for discovery: first recorded in 1921 standing in Kirkmichael churchyard, facing east/west.

Present condition: good.

Description

A sturdy cross carved in one piece, this has tapering arms, of which the upper arm is longer than the side-arms. It is plain apart from a circular hollow at the centre of the cross-head on both sides.

Date range: early medieval.

Primary references: Duncan 1921, 23.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie in 2019

A cross standing in the churchyard at Kirkmichael is understood to be a 'Preaching Cross', erected by the Culdee Missionaries.

J G Duncan 1921.