St Ninian’s Church, Fetternear, Aberdeenshire

St Ninian’s Church (ruins), Fetternear, Kemnay, Aberdeenshire

Visited August 2017

This site, in woodland near the ruins of the Bishops Palace, is a curious one. Apparently there’s been a church dedicated to St Ninian here since c. 1150, and a new chapel was then built in 1848. The present building, dating from 1878, stands over the foundations of the earlier buildings and their burials (including family tombs of the Leslie family, and at least one bishop), but due to a falling out between the landowning family and the Catholic Church it was never consecrated.

There’s a small graveyard around the ruin, which is now out of use. Most of the graves date to the 19th century, although there may be older ones lurk8ng in the undergrowth. The remains of the burials within the building aren’t visible, although a bit more poking around might have brought forth a few traces.

In winter the site might be more accessible, but in summer in was surrounded by bracken to be waded through, watching out for fallen walls, rabbit holes and ticks! Although the area is popular with dog walkers, they didn’t stray from the paths to come to this place, and there wasn’t much evidence anyone ever did...

Erskine Cemetery, Montrose

The Erskine Cemetery, Montrose (Grounds of the House of Dun)

Visited August 2010

In the grounds of the House of Dun lies this little private cemetery. The House of Dun, now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, was built in the 18th century for the Erskine family and this was the burial ground for the house. The house itself is well worth a visit, as are the gardens, but do take a walk into the wider estate and find this little cemetery, hidden among the trees. Grave markers date mostly from the 18th & 19th centuries, and there are some wonderful carvings on them. Even on the busiest of days at the house, you're unlikely to be disturbed inside the walls of the cemetery. 

http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/House-Of-Dun-and-Montrose-Basin-Nature-Reserve