Description

The monument comprises the remains of the old parish church of Banff, dedicated to St Mary, erected in 1471 and demolished in 1797, and its surrounding burial ground.

All that remains of the church above ground is the south aisle and part of the north wall, incorporating tombs predating 1797. The south aisle, the burial aisle of the Ogilvy family, is polygonal with a mullioned south window and stone slabbed roof. Although a memorial tablet dates its erection to 1580, the principal tomb that it contains is that of Sir Walter Ogilvy of Dunlugas, who died in 1558.

The graveyard has been out of use for more than a century and contains a fine collection of memorials dating from the late sixteenth century to the mid nineteenth. It is enclosed by a low rubble wall and railings.

The area to be scheduled comprises the entire burial ground containing the remains of St Mary's church, including the enclosing walls, railings and gates, forming an area extending some 50m E-W by 50m N-S, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it comprises both the remains of the medieval church of Banff and a fine collection of gravestones and memorials erected over three centuries, which contribute to our understanding of medieval architecture, sculpture, social and burgh history and burial practices, and have the potential through archaeological excavation to shed further light on medieval church design and material culture.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NJ 66 SE 42.

References:

Banff Preservation Society, Royal and Ancient Banff (1975).

HM List: Banff parish, item no. 129 (HB no. 22003). Cat. A.

Imlach, J. (1868) History of Banff, 83-143.

Mahood, A. E. (1919) Banff and District, 74-81.

McKean, C. (1990a) Banff and Buchan: an illustrated architectural guide, Edinburgh, 31.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland