Description

The monument consists of the remains of St Bride's, the old parish church of Cushnie.

The parish existed as early as 1274-80. The church remained unappropriated within the patronage of the Earls of Rothes until the 16th century. The church is situated in a rubble walled graveyard immediately N of Kirkton of Cushnie Farm. It is of medieval date, single chambered, measuring 20m E-W by 6m N-S, over walls 0.7m thick. The walls are constructed in rubble with dressed quoins.

The E gable is intact and has a belfry but this feature is completely obscured by ivy. The only window in this wall is a small rectangular one at a high level in the gable. The W gable has fallen and is 1.9m in height. The intervening walls appear to have been repaired, they are entire though slightly reduced in height. The S entrance near the E end has lost its lintel. A 17th or 18th century gravestone has been built into the S exterior wall. Tombstones of 18th century date are propped up against the E wall.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular, extending 2m from the exterior walls of the church and measuring a maximum of 24m E-W by 10m N-S, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it is one of a large group of relatively simple parish churches dating from the Medieval period, which together provide evidence and have the potential to provide further evidence, through a combination of documentary research and archaeological excavation, for parish evolution, ecclesiastical architecture and material culture.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NJ51SW 2.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland