Building record MAB38719 - OLD PARISH CHURCH AND MAUSOLEUM, DUN

Remains of church, and graveyard, part of the church later used as a mausoleum.

Remains of church, and graveyard, part of the church later used as a mausoleum. It has medieval origins, although there are several subsequent phases of rebuilding and alterations. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and in use until between 1833 and 1843, when the structure was found to be unsafe. It lies to the west of House of Dun (NO65NE0061), and was replaced by the present parish church (NO65NE0099) to the North-West. According to the antiquary Warden, it was roofless by 1858 and used as a family burial vault. This conversion to a private mausoleum would likely be for the occupants of the House of Dun. When revisited by the OS in 1958 they observed that the remains of this church have been so restored as to be almost wholly modern, bearing such additions as buttresses, pinnacles and pointed-arched windows and doors. Only the internal walls of the gables appear original. The remains of the church are oriented East/West. The West elevation has two Gothic arched doorways, with thick hoodmoulds. They have since both been blocked, one with sandstone and the other with a strengthened metal door. The gable has crenellated skews and there are diagonal buttresses at the corners, topped with large stone pinnacles, and there is an urn apex finial to the gable. The East gable is constructed from a different type of sandstone to the West. It is crowstepped, but the style is simpler than the West. There are no buttresses at the corners, but there are similar corbelled pinnacles. There is a central doorway, which has been blocked, and a rectangular window above. The South elevation has two pointed-arched windows, covering almost the full height of the elevation, which have been blocked. There is a rusticated, crenelated and corbelled parapet to the wallhead. The North elevation has no doors or windows, but has a wallhead the same as the South elevation. The elevation is built into a noticeable mound. While the walls have been variously rebuilt and are in good condition, the church remains roofless. The graveyard walls have rusticated gatepiers, and the North wall perhaps incorporates parts of the old House of Dun, and incorporates some mural tablets. There are 17th and 18th century gravestones in the graveyard, some of which are leant up against the remains of the church. A geophysical survey carried out by RGS in January 2013 within the burial ground identified a rectilinear anomaly, indicating a Western extension to the extant mausoleum. Standing building survey of the mausoleum by Northlight Heritage in October - December 2013 recorded four main phases of development: late 14th century origins, remodelling and repair in the early 18th century, conversion to a mausoleum and modern maintenance and repairs. It preserves evidence of the medieval fabric in the east elevation and parts of the north and south: other features in the burial vaults and west gable as possibly original. Documented 18th century remodelling and repairs are evident in raised walls and enlarged window openings. When converted to a mausoleum the western part of the structure was removed, and barrel vaults inserted. Further survey was carried out in January 2014 in the graveyard prior to remedial works. Several anomalies are thought to be associated with a presumed path as well as the earlier church and burial vault.

Period Notes
The church has medieval origins, but with various subsequent phases of rebuilding and alterations. In use as a church until circa 1833-43, and then in use as a mausoleum. There are 17th and 18th century gravestones in the graveyard. The church and graveyard were both listed on 11/06/1971.

NSA, 1845, [Untitled], Vol. 11, (Forfar), 126 (Bibliographic reference). SAB6301.

Warden, A J, 1880-5, [Untitled], Vol. 3, 167 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10193.

RCAHMS, 1978, [Untitled], 27, no. 218 (Bibliographic reference). SAB7780.

Moloney, C, 1998, Report on Excavations at The Stanners, SBS (Bibliographic reference). SAB2999.

WHITE, H, 2012, MONTROSE BASIN SURVEY 1999-2012 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2127.

ARCAHEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2015, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND. NEW SERIES, VOLUME 15, 2014, p.38 (Bibliographic reference). SAB5542.

Aug 17 2001 , AAS/01/7/CT52, AAS/01/7/CT52 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB25018.

Jul 22 2008 , AAS/08/3/DG073-74, AAS/08/3/DG073-74 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB30030.

Jun 15 2004 , AAS/04/3/CT37-9, AAS/04/3/CT37-9 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB21172.

Name Book (County), n.d., [Untitled], Book No. 17, 12 (Bibliographic reference). SAB6026.

Record last edited

Apr 27 2023 4:23PM