Aberdeenshire HER - NJ70NW0010 - ST NIDAN'S CHURCH, MIDMAR

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ70NW0010
NameST NIDAN'S CHURCH, MIDMAR
NRHE Card No.NJ70NW11
NRHE Numlink 18525
HES SM No. 100
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Incomplete
Details Remains of the old church of Midmar, called the church of St Nidan or St Nidian's, and is also known as Midmar Old Kirk, lies slightly to the east of the Motte at Cunningar (NJ70NW0009). It bears the date 1667 on a lintel but incorporates older material. Simpson dates it to the 12th-13th Centuries. It appears that the church may have originally been a pendicle of the Church of Kincardine O'Neil, or was granted to the hospital there between 1233/4 and 1274. Its fortunes were therefore linked to it. An attempt was made in 1501 to unite the 'fruits of the living' from the Kincardine O'Neil church to the Chapel Royal at Stirling, but this appeared to be unsuccessful. The present ruined St Nidan's was in use from the mid 17th century until 1787, when a new church was erected to the north. The walls, of granite rubble with some coarsely squared blocks, are still intact but it is roofless. The southeast wall contains a large four light mullioned and transomed window. There is a plain rectangular bellcote base at the apex of the northwest gable. There is a good collection of gravestones from the 16th Century onwards, including that of George Bell, master mason of Midmar and Craigievar castles. The inscription on his gravestone reads: 'Heir lyis Georg Bel deceisit in Balogy' (thought to be the old name for Midmar Castle).
Last Update19/02/2024
Updated Bycpalmer
Compiler 
Date of Compilation11/03/1996

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National Grid Reference: NJ 7020 0587



Event Details


Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
BELLCOTES REMAINS OFD100
WINDOWS TRANSOMEDE100
CHURCHES REMAINS OFA100
LINTELS DATEDB100
STONESGRAVE C100