Catherine Cochrane Photography
Kirkmadrine Church Scotland.
Found off of a quiet country lane in the Rhins peninsula of Galloway, Kirkmadrine Church sits on a gentle undulation, surrounded by farmland. At first glance the significance of this unassuming, isolated little church isn’t obvious, but it eventually becomes apparent just how deep the history of this place runs.
The current church building dates from the 1890’s and was rebuilt as a mausoleum for the MacTaggarts of Ardwell, on the footprint of a much earlier medieval church. The main focus of attention here however is preserved in the porch of the church. Encased behind glass are three of the earliest inscribed Christian gravestones in Scotland, probably dating from the 6th century. Only the Latinus Stone in Whithorn is older.
Prehistoric standing stones and well-springs nearby suggest that this has been a place of special significance for thousands of years. It is a strong possibility that the carved stones, marking the graves of the priests Viventius, Mavorius and Florentius are re-used standing stones. The presence of these stones suggests that there may well have been a very early monastic site her, certainly with a relationship to, and maybe even pre-dating Whithorn. Later in the early medieval period, it may have served as a staging post between Celtic Ireland and Anglian Whithorn.
The real value of Kirkmadrine is its quiet isolation. This little hilltop, with views over Luce Bay to the Machars exudes serenity. The past here is tangible, it has left and imprint on the land that time has not erased or encroached upon.
Kirkmadrine Church Scotland.
Found off of a quiet country lane in the Rhins peninsula of Galloway, Kirkmadrine Church sits on a gentle undulation, surrounded by farmland. At first glance the significance of this unassuming, isolated little church isn’t obvious, but it eventually becomes apparent just how deep the history of this place runs.
The current church building dates from the 1890’s and was rebuilt as a mausoleum for the MacTaggarts of Ardwell, on the footprint of a much earlier medieval church. The main focus of attention here however is preserved in the porch of the church. Encased behind glass are three of the earliest inscribed Christian gravestones in Scotland, probably dating from the 6th century. Only the Latinus Stone in Whithorn is older.
Prehistoric standing stones and well-springs nearby suggest that this has been a place of special significance for thousands of years. It is a strong possibility that the carved stones, marking the graves of the priests Viventius, Mavorius and Florentius are re-used standing stones. The presence of these stones suggests that there may well have been a very early monastic site her, certainly with a relationship to, and maybe even pre-dating Whithorn. Later in the early medieval period, it may have served as a staging post between Celtic Ireland and Anglian Whithorn.
The real value of Kirkmadrine is its quiet isolation. This little hilltop, with views over Luce Bay to the Machars exudes serenity. The past here is tangible, it has left and imprint on the land that time has not erased or encroached upon.