Building record MAB12380 - FORBES CHURCH, KIRKTON
Please read our guidance about the use of Aberdeenshire Historic Environment Record data.
Summary
Remains of Forbes Church, also known as Kirk of Forbes, and associated graveyard.
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 11011
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 5192 1691 (33m by 32m) Centred at - Polygon: Unknown Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ51NW |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Tullynessle and Forbes |
Type and Period (3)
Full Description
Remains of Forbes Church, also known as Kirk of Forbes, and associated graveyard. The church is of 17th century date possibly incorporating earlier work. The parish of Forbes is believed to date from the 13th century. The church, first documented in 1325 when the church and its dependent chapel of Kearn were erected as a prebend of Aberdeen Cathedral by Bishop Henry le Chen, is dedicated to the Nine Maidens of St Donald and appears to have taken its name from the Forbes family. It has been disused since 1808 when the parish merged with Tullynessle, but the church was reportedly in a bad state of repair before its use ceased. Much of the fabric of the church appears to be late medieval. The church was altered in the post-Reformation period and repaired in 1907. It is a rectangular building measuring 11.8 m by 4.6 m with walls 0.8 m thick. The simple plan suggests it may have origins in the 13th century, although subsequently altered including changes to the door and windows, and addition of crow-stepped gables and an internal gallery. It is now roofless, standing to wall heads.The walls are rubble built with extensive remains of render, the north wall having been heavily re pointed with cement, probably in 1907. The doorway has chamfered freestone jambs, with a lintel reused from a window. In the south wall are two small rectangular-headed windows with chamfered jambs grooved for glazing. In the east gable is a large blocked opening and a blocked doorway. Internally, there are the remains of a tomb recess towards the east end of the north wall which may have served as an Easter Sepulchre. Between this an the east gable is a small pain aumbry which may have been a sacrament house. The octagonal plan churchyard is enclosed by a mortared rubble dyke, around the inner face of which is a bank.
Period Notes
Built 17thC possibly incorporating a previous kirk; disused by 1808; repaired 1907.
D 57934 CN, D 57934 CN (Ground Photograph). SAB13169.
ORDNANCE SURVEY, 1871, Ordnance Name Book, No88(1866) 105 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1360.
SIMPSON, WD, 1949, EARLDOM OF MAR, 36 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1681.
SCOTT, H, 1950, FASTI ECCLES SCOT, No6,143 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1806.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 11011;
- Local Government Guardianship;
- NMR Card Number: NJ51NW9;
- NRHE Numlink: 17578;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ51NW0008;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM11011 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/17578 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (4)
- --- SAB13169 Ground Photograph: D 57934 CN. Colour Negative. D 57934 CN.
- --- SAB1360 Bibliographic reference: ORDNANCE SURVEY. 1871. Ordnance Name Book. No88(1866) 105.
- --- SAB1681 Bibliographic reference: SIMPSON, WD. 1949. EARLDOM OF MAR. 36.
- --- SAB1806 Bibliographic reference: SCOTT, H. 1950. FASTI ECCLES SCOT. Y. No6,143.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Jun 26 2025 3:48PM
