Building record MAB21950 - UDNY MORT-HOUSE

Circular mort-house, built in 1832, constructed of rough ashlar granite with a conical slated roof truncated and stout oak door protected with metal bars and with a large metal lock mechanism.

Circular mort-house, built in 1832, constructed of rough ashlar granite with a conical slated roof truncated and stout oak door protected with metal bars and with a large metal lock mechanism. It was built just to the east of the original parish church (NJ82NE0039). It was used house bodies awaiting burial and protect them from the so-called 'body snatchers' common in Edinburgh and some parts of Aberdeenshire in the early to mid 19th century. Internally it has a revolving coffin platform 1m from floor, on which coffins could be stored to postpone burials until the bodies were unfit for sale. Four independent key bearers were needed to unlock the outer door and penetrate the sliding inner iron door. The building was designed by Captain John Marr of Cairnbrogie and built for £80 Scots by Alexander Wallace and Thomas Smith. The year it was built, 1832, also saw the passing of the Anatomy Scotland) Act which ultimately solved the problem by ensuring an adequate legal supply of bodies for anatomical study. The mort-house was subsequently used as an ammunition store. Although they were common in rural Aberdeenshire, mort-houses were usually smaller and rectangular, and this round building is a rare and important structure.

Period Notes
Built 1832; used as weapons store in WWII.

Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 29/06/88 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.

HAY, G., 1957, THE ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTTISH POST-REF CHURCHES, 237 (Bibliographic reference). SAB720.

Aug 14 1984 , BO 9-11, BO 9-11 (Ground Photograph). SAB14565.

Record last edited

Apr 30 2024 4:53PM