Bourtie Old Church
National Grid Reference (NGR): NJ 80450 24850, map
Address
BourtieAberdeenshire
AB51 0JS
Scotland
Introduction
The current parish church of Bourtie was built in the early 19th century (see separate site), but a much older church (or churches) is known to have existed on the site, within the current graveyard. The site is rural and fairly remote, hidden away on a south-facing slope and surrounded by mature trees.
A church has existed in Bourtie since the medieval period, first mentioned in around 1200 and belonging to the Priory of St Andrews. The parish of Bourtie has been united with Meldrum in the early 17th century and later disjoined again. There are a number of surviving fragments of this early church, including a piece of carved gallery front, dated 1669, and two medieval stone effigies, one said to be that of Thomas de longville who died nearby in 1308. There is also said to be a fragment of Pictish stone built into the east end of the current church.
Events:
- Church first mentioned (1199)
- Current church built on same site (1806)
- Medieval effigies found in graveyard (1950s)
Archive References:
| Name | Reference | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Church Heritage Research Archive - Offline database | Reference: 4140 | ||
| Canmore - Online database | View Canmore Report Online: RCAHMS NJ82SW 5:00 | ||
| Canmore - Online database | View Canmore Report Online: 19727 |
Bibliographic References:
| Name | Author | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeenshire: Donside and Strathbogie, an illustrated architectural guide | Ian Shepherd | 2006 | p115-116 |
| Epitaphs and inscriptions from burial grounds and old buildings in the north-east of Scotland with historical, biographical, genealogical and antiquarian notes | A Jervise | 1875-9 | Vol. 2, p72 |
| The Object Name Book of the Ordnance Survey | Ordnance Survey | 1867 | Book 10, p37 |