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Summary

Description

The Murie Cross is a Celtic cross memorial constructed in 1875 and located at the top of Law Knowe, a medieval motte dating to the 12^th century associated with the Hay's of Errol (Law Knowe, motte 380m NNW of Mains of Murie; scheduled monument SM7292). It is composed of a three stepped square sandstone base which originally gave way to battered shaft of sandstone blocks held together with iron pins, with an inset metal panel with incised inscription, topped with a cross, with semi-circular cross 'arms' and a central raised circular boss. The metal panel inscription reads:

'IN MEMORIAM/EVE MAGDALEN BROUN-MORISON/BORN MAY 14TH 1840 DIED AUGUST 14TH 1896/BLEST SPIRIT IN BRIGHT REALMS ABOVE/DEAR OBJECT OF THY FATHER'S LOVE/STILL WATCH AND GUIDE ME BY THY CARE/TILL I AM CALLED TO MEET THEE THERE' 'JOHN BROUN BROUN-MORISON J P D L/17TH LAIRD OF FINDERLIE 1ST OF MURIE/OF THE ROYAL BODY GUARD OF SCOTTISH ARCHERS/BORN 22ND JAN 1840 DIED 24TH SEP 1912' 'MAUD/BORN 1865 DIED 1865' 'MURIEL/BORN 1868 DIED 1875'

There are a variety of carved stones fallen or displaced in vicinity including a relief carved heraldic shield dated 1901 and a slab with bishop's mitre at its head and the following incised inscription:

"THIS PREHISTORIC BARROW WAS CONSECRATED TO GOD BY THE MOST REVEREND ALEX PENROSE FORBES D C L LORD BISHOP OF BRECHIN IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR MDCCCLXXV".

The shaft and cross were toppled by a falling tree in 2017 and now survive as a group of disjointed stone blocks which appear to have remained undisturbed since their collapse. The top of Law Knowe is encircled with the remains of a rusted and unmaintained iron railing which is likely associated with the Murie Cross and may date to the time of its construction.

Statement of Special Interest

We have found that the building does not meet the criteria of special architectural or historic interest for the following reasons:

• The Celtic cross design of Murie Cross is extremely plain and is not exceptional in terms of its design.

• It does not form part of an architecturally or historically significant group of related memorials, monuments, or buildings. Other more architecturally or historically significant examples exist.

• The cross is prominently and deliberately sited at the apex of Law Knowe, situated in a wooded triangle of ground surrounded by arable fields on the Erroll Estate. As the highest point in the immediate area it would have had some interest as a landmark but this is not of sufficiently special interest in listing terms.

• It is not a rare or early example of its building type. Celtic memorial crosses dating from the late 19th and early 20th century survive in large numbers across Scotland. It was a common design used for memorials to individuals or families within burial grounds and, after the First World War, for war memorials. Its popularity at this time reflected the interest in the Celtic Revival as part of the wider Arts and Crafts movement which was particularly prominent in Scotland. The memorial at Law Knowe is an example of an estate memorial commemorating a local landowner. It is not architecturally distinguished and is considered to be a plain example of the Celtic cross memorial which is a common memorial type.

• It does not have any close historical association with a person or event of national importance. The memorial place notes the consecration of Law Knowe by the Lord Bishop of Brechin in 1875. It also commemorates John Broun Broun-Morison J P D L the 17th Laird of Finderlie 1st of Murie of the Royal Body Guard of Scottish Archers. Although of interest, these associations are not of national importance.

References

Bibliography

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