Building record MAB17317 - FIFE MAUSOLEUM, DUFF HOUSE

Rectangular Gothic mausoleum, dated 1790 and constructed by James, 2nd Earl of Fife.

Rectangular Gothic mausoleum, dated 1790 and constructed by James, 2nd Earl of Fife. It also contains a re-sited late 17th century tomb. The mausoleum is a single storey structure over a burial vault. It is constructed of sneck harled rubble, with tooled and polished ashlar dressings and margins and a piended slate roof. It has a fine cast and wrought-iron gate incorporating complex designs of foliage, anthemion, rosettes, an Earl's coronet and the monogram JF. The entrance is flanked by windows, and there is a deep quatrefoil detailed Coade stone frieze below the eaves (two of the original 10 wallhead Coade stone crocketted pinnacles also survive). Inside, rested against the centre of the south elevation, is a round-headed mural tomb with recumbent figure. There is also a table tomb decorated with panels, showing (L-R): crossbones interspersed with ears of corn, signs of mortality and re-birth, text, memento mori, and saltire. The re-sited tomb 17th Century tomb was supposed to be that of Robert the Bruce and was taken to give spurious antiquity to the recently established (1759) Earldom of Fife. It was, however, taken from Banff burial ground (old St Mary's NJ66SE0032) along with 2 others from Cullen. The latter have been returned to Cullen Kirk (Moray HER NJ56NW0002), the former is the tomb of a 17th century Provost Douglas of Banff. The original Latin inscription (covered by that of 1790 until it slipped in 1997) can be translated as: 'Beneath this mausoleum : in the hope of the blessed Resurrection : lies the body of Mr Alexander Duff of the Dunes : doctor of medicine : provost of Banff and sheriff of Banffshire : who yielded to the Fates on 9 October : 1663 : to whose memory his dearest daughters : Isobel and Christiana : and also Walter Lesley of Tullich : husband of said Christiana : have assumed responsibility for offering a solemn filial sacrifice by setting up this very sarcophagus'. The 1790 inscription above the tomb reads: 'This mausoleum is erected on the place where stood a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin by King Robert the Bruce MCCCXXIV. The adjacent grounds were also ....'. (word unclear, possibly gifted)..' by his Royal Charter for the building and support of a monastery of the holy brethren of Mount Carmel'. The mausoleum houses the remains of 21 members of the Duff of Duff House family with the earliest ancestor being that of Alexander Duff of Braco who died in 1705 - his remains were moved to the mausoleum from Grange Churchyard in 1793, along with the first Earl of Fife and his wife.

HISTORIC SCOTLAND, 1997, MONUMENT TO ALEXANDER DOUGLAS, EXTERIOR SOUTH WALL, FIFE MAUSOLEUM, DUFF HOUSE: CONSERVATOR'S REPORT, Conservators rep (Bibliographic reference). SAB4403.

Aug 23 2015 , AAS-GR-15-08-322 - 335, AAS-GR-15-08-322 - 335 (Ground Photograph). SAB32240.

Feb 17 2017 , HAMP-GR-17-02-003 - 026, HAMP-GR-17-02-003 - 026 (Ground Photograph). SAB34685.

Jul 23 2016 , AAS-GR-16-07-052 - 063 , AAS-GR-16-07-052 - 063 (Ground Photograph). SAB35594.

Mar 15 1994 , LX 14-20, LX 14-20 (Ground Photograph). SAB33335.

May 4 2015 , AAS-GR-15-05-005 - 007, AAS-GR-15-05-005 - 007 (Ground Photograph). SAB20819.

Author unknown, n.d., BANFF JOURNAL/BANFFSHIRE JOURNAL, 12/02/1997 (Bibliographic reference). SAB143.

Record last edited

Feb 9 2024 8:59AM