Church of the Immaculate Conception - Stonehaven

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is the last remaining place of worship in Stonehaven's Old Town. It boasts details recognised as deriving from Notre-Dame-le-Grand, Poitiers and Chartres and despite the loss of some original glazing is nevertheless an important quiet place on its island site surrounded by roads and behind the High Street. The building date varies from 1875 to 1879 depending upon the source, but it is a certainty that funds for this fine church and the nearby Rickarton Cottages were provided by Mrs Eliza Maria Hepburn of Rickarton, as a memorial to her daughter.
Click here to view the Church of the Immaculate Conception page.
Click here to view the Church of the Immaculate Conception page.
Church of "St Mary's of the Storms" - Cowie, Stonehaven

A wealth of information on local history may be gleaned within old Scottish kirkyards. Many are located on a site of ancient ecclesiastical importance where an early Christian missionary may have built a small heather-thatched chapel over a thousand years ago. The ruins of a medieval church still stand in some kirkyards. Others contain the burial vault of a local laird, or a watchtower built to guard against grave-robbers.
Click here to view the St Mary's of the Storms page.
Click here to view the St Mary's of the Storms page.
St Ciaran's Kirkyard - Fetteresso, Stonehaven

The surviving ruin is the 1720 rebuild of the earlier church (the medieval church was longer and had no north aisle). Internally, galleries were added at the east and west ends, and the pulpit was sited opposite the north aisle, where there was probably a vault and Laird's Loft. This created a T-shaped preaching kirk, with the focus changed from the east end (the altar) to the pulpit. the belfry is dated 1737. Re-used medieval stonework is still visible in the walls.
Click here to view the St Ciaran's Kirkyard Page
Click here to view the St Ciaran's Kirkyard Page
Chapel of St Mary and St Nathalan.

St Nathalan or St Nachlan, is reputed to have built the first small chapel at Cowie on this windswept clifftop sometime during the 7th century. Legends abound regarding this Scottish saint, who also built churches at Coull and Tullich on Deeside.
Click here to view the Chapel of St Mary and St Nathalan page.
Click here to view the Chapel of St Mary and St Nathalan page.
Dunnottar Castle

A spectacular ruined fortress in a superb coastal location, Dunnottar Castle is a medieval fortress on a rocky headland just south of Stonehaven. The site was originally occupied by a Pictish fort, and in the 5th century AD St Ninian established an early Christian church here.
Click here to view the Dunnottar Castle page.
Click here to view the Dunnottar Castle page.
Dunnottar Church & Kirkyard

Sir William Keith chose this spot above the Carron water for his church. It is believed to have been the first church on this site, although St Ninian may have founded a church built 0.5 km to the south, close to where Dunnottar House once stood.
Click here to view the Dunnottar Church & Kirkyard page.
Click here to view the Dunnottar Church & Kirkyard page.
Church of St Ternan - Arbuthnott

Here in a quiet corner of that farming countryside long known as “The Mearns” stands the Kirk of Saint Ternan Arbuthnott, built of warn red sandstone in medieval times. It is one of the few parish churches in Scotland dating from before the Reformation which remain in use for worship at the present time.
Click here to see the Church of St Ternan page.
Click here to see the Church of St Ternan page.
The Old Church at Kinneff

Tullich Kirkyard

Further Information

For More Detailed information on Local Churches and Kirkyards throughout NE Scotland please see Colin Milne's great website below :-
NE Scotland and Genealogy Website
NE Scotland and Genealogy Website