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Kirkmadrine was built in 1889-a restoration of a ruined 13th century church. The Kirkmadrine stones are displayed in the entrance porch, behind glass. These stones were found on the site and the engraving indicates that they date back to the 5th-12th century, making them the earliest inscribed stones in Scotland. The three gravestones were laid in about AD450, undisturbed until about 1850 when they were taken up and two were used as gate posts to the churchyard, where they stood for 40 years. The third stone went missing and fragmented pieces of the stone were only found by chance in 1916, and it was restored. Some say that the stones should be returned to their original spot, with respect and dignity. But times have changed, and in June 2011 vandals damaged gravestones in this churchyard, most of them well over 100 years old So sad. This place takes on a different dimension of peace and tranquility - it is such a spiritual place.