Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM90188_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014717)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a church of late medieval date and its burial ground. It is in the care of the Secretary of State for Scotland and is being re-scheduled to extend and clarify the extent of the protected area.

The monument lies at around 50m OD. It comprises the remains of Kinkell Church, a late medieval church measuring about 22m long and about 6m wide, abandoned as a place of worship since 1771. Only the N wall and parts of the E, S and W walls of the church remain. The doorway was in the S wall. Although a church of Kinkell is recorded from the early 13th century, the present building, with its large four-light traceried east window, represents the result of a remodelling that occurred in the early 16th century,

The north wall of the church contains an unusual sacrament house, bearing the date 1524 and the initials of Alexander Galloway, who is recorded as rector of Kinkell and canon of Aberdeen Cathedral in 1528. Another panel, carved with a representation of the Crucifixion and bearing the same initials (three times) and the date 1525, is now represented by a bronze replica set into the same wall, the original having been removed to Aberdeen Museum in 1934 and subsequently lost.

Another of Canon Galloway's gifts to the church, the font, now stands in St John's Episcopal Church, Aberdeen. Also within the church is the monument of Gilbert de Greenlaw, killed at the battle of Harlaw in 1411; the stone was re-used for a Forbes burial in 1592 and is now displayed vertically to allow both sides to be seen.

The church lies within a trapezoidal burial ground measuring a maximum of 50m NW-SE by 40m NE-SW and enclosed by a stone wall.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described, including the graveyard wall and the area enclosed by it, within which related material may be expected to be found. It is trapezoidal with maximum dimensions of 50m NW-SE by 40m NE-SW, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of the evidence that it contributes to our knowledge of late medieval ecclesiastical architecture, sculpture, liturgy and patronage on the eve of the Reformation. Its significance is enhanced both by the survival of documentary evidence relating to it and by the potential of the associated below-ground archaeological remains for contributing further to an understanding of medieval architectural history and material culture. The importance of the site is reflected in its status as a property in state care.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.