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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 5h

They are indeed in remarkable condition, as are the two stones showing priests. Well worth a wade through the retreating tidal waters between Colonsay and Oronsay should you ever have the opportunity!

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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 6h

Ah lovely! I went for the Govan Stones today but had considered the similar stones from Kilmartin.

Stone carving of a medieval nobleman, wearing a helmet and carrying a large sword

Another similar carving. On this one, the warrior is facing left and is carrying a large spear in his right hand

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 8h

Day 14 of #31DaysOfGraves - Inside

Here are just two monuments from the extraordinary assemblage of 14th-15th century graveslabs that are now housed within the reroofed former Prior's house within the ruins of the Augustinian priory on the island of Oronsay.

These were most likely MacDuffie chiefs

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rozanderson.bsky.social @rozanderson.bsky.social · 8h

#31daysofgraves Day 14 inside. There are 13 graves marked on the floor of the nave, at Dunblane Cathedral, covered now by the pews. There were many more burials, probably hundreds. The 1st is the oldest 1639 or maybe 1638, the 2nd 1712, suggested perhaps the mason who carved the date was illiterate.

Flatstone on the floor of Dunblane Cathedral, very worn, with the date 1639 or 38 and the words HEIR LYISE, the rest is difficult to read. Final line of initials is BMB

Flatstone in Dunblane Cathedral's nave date 1712 carved in an unusual style and the initials IC CB PM IC IM

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St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney @stmagnuscathedral.bsky.social · 1d

Squeezing this in before the end of the day! #31DaysofGraves - Day 13, Skeleton. Of course, it had to be this cheery and dynamic fellow from the gravestone of Kirkwall merchant Patrick Prince.

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Inverclyde History from Cartsburn Publishing @inverclydehistory.bsky.social · 17h

#31daysofgraves #Inside the Shaw Stewart family vault at #Inverkip graveyard. #LocalHistory #Inverclyde

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LizD @bibby4.bsky.social · 16h

#31DaysOfGraves Day 14 Inside: A Viking -age grave marker inside Govan Old Parish Church. It was fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries to reuse the stones, hence the initials and date added later. Free entry to the Govan Stones every day until the end of Oct. @govanstones.bsky.social

A rectangular, grey, stone slab supported against a wall. It bears faint traces of interlace and knotwork carving and what was once a cross. It has the initials WI and the date 1634 carved on it , neither of which form part of the original carving.

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Friends of Warriston Cemetery @fowarristoncem.bsky.social · 11h

#31DaysofGraves 14: Inside. Warriston Cemetery's historic catacombs & vaults. I seem to use the word "sadly" a lot, but again, sadly these were badly vandalised & have been sealed off for many years. The b&w photos were taken by the council in the 1980s. #Edinburgh #Warriston #Catacombs #Vaults

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 12h

You can read more about the church on our website here 👇
www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/melne...

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 12h

Melness Church, which was built 1900-02 by local crofters, gets a wee mention in this week's BBC "Landward" programme as the current crofters continue their efforts to purchase it from the Church of Scotland for the benefit of the community that built it.

Watch here 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 16h

"A 'unique' 100-year-old church has been placed for sale nearly a year after worshippers campaigned to save it."

Designed by Sir Robert Lorimer and housing one of Scotland's finest pipe organs, Knightswood St Margaret's is for sale for offers over £289,000.

www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/2553861...

'Unique' 100-year-old church to be sold despite campaign to save it

A 'unique' 100-year-old church has been placed for sale nearly a year after worshippers campaigned to save it

www.clydebankpost.co.uk

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Nancy Johnston @jeelyeater1.bsky.social · 17h

#31DaysOfGraves Day 14: Inside. Kinnoull Aisle, Kinnoull old kirkyard, Perth.

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Alison Spring @acspring.bsky.social · 18h

#31DaysofGenealogy #Day14 #Inside the former Govan Old Parish Church (now a museum containing Pictish & Viking sculptures), near where I grew up, sits a stone sarcophagus believed to have held the remains of Constantine of Strathclyde, ruler & later saint. More details at buff.ly/AgK4bZx

A sandstone sarcophagus, without a lid, showing a side with carvings of Celtic interlace on either side of a hunting scene showing a deer, a hunter on horseback, and a dog.

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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 17h

#31DaysOfGraves day14: inside. Govan, better known as the heart of Scotland's shipbuilding industry, is home to one of the country's oldest places of worship and to the Govan Stones, Viking era hogback stones, as well as the magnificent pre-Norman Govan sarcophagus. A brilliant place to visit.

Viking hogback stones. A long carved stone that looks a bit like a corn on the cob

Detail of the Govan sarcophagus, a carved stone tomb. The detail shows a soldier on horseback and some carved pattern work to one side

Another detail from the sarcophagus, possibly showing a lamb standing on a wolf (perhaps suggesting the triumph of Christianity over paganism)

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Anna 3️⃣🫒🌳 @scosthrop.bsky.social · 1d

O Death, where is thy string?

Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 1d

Day 13 of #31DaysOfGraves - Skeleton

On the leg of a magnificent 18thC table tomb in Liberton Kirkyard, Edinburgh, is carved the figure of death as a skeleton, standing upon a skull, firing a dart at the soon-to-be-deceased while cutting the cord of a weight dangling over the unlucky person's head!

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 1d

The whole table tomb is always worth sharing, with its depiction of the farmer William Straiton reclining beneath, his missing head once resting on a sheaf of corn as he holds a skull and a dog warming his feet. It also has scenes of his daily farming life carved on one end. Quite remarkable.

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 1d

Day 13 of #31DaysOfGraves - Skeleton

On the leg of a magnificent 18thC table tomb in Liberton Kirkyard, Edinburgh, is carved the figure of death as a skeleton, standing upon a skull, firing a dart at the soon-to-be-deceased while cutting the cord of a weight dangling over the unlucky person's head!

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 1d

The architect was Hippolyte J Blanc and the building was was described in the newspapers at the time as “one of the most complete, most comfortable and most elegant ecclesiastical structures in the district.”

Discover more on the SCT site 👇
www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/all-s...

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 1d

A fine example of an Early English Gothic style miniature cathedral, All Souls, Invergowrie, is our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek. It was completed in 1896 for Frances, Lady Kinnaird in memory of her late husband George, the 9th Lord Kinnaird and their three children, who had all predeceased her.

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Lorraine Evans @thedeathhistorian.bsky.social · 1d

Day 13: Skeleton #31daysofgraves Encompassing more Memento Mori then you can shake a stick at, I give you one of my all time favourite seventeenth century wall memorials, in a glorious pink hue, to be found in Kirkmichael Burial Ground, Resolis, Black Isle, commemorating one William Urquhart...💀

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Jane Harris Janealogy @janejanealogy.bsky.social · 2d

#31DaysOfGraves - 12 Notable woman. The lonely grave of Betty Corrigall on the border of the parishes of Walls and Hoy #Orkney in my #OnePlaceStudy #NorthWallsAndBrims Notable now for the sadness and poignancy of her story Read more here: www.scottish-places.info/features/fea...

A white gravestone (fibreglass actually) surrounded by a white picket fence tiny against a backdrop of brown heather and hills.

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Society of Antiquaries of Scotland @socantscot.bsky.social · 1d

Did you know that our Head of Research @helspencer.bsky.social is the Aim 2 Lead for the Scotland’s Strategic Archaeology Committee? If you would also like to be involved, they are looking for a new chair to lead the committee as it launches Scotland’s next Archaeology Strategy in Spring 2026.

Scotland's Archaeology Strategy @scotarchstrat.bsky.social · 14d

Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy Committee needs a new Chair! Are you interested in leading the committee as it launches Scotland’s next Archaeology Strategy in the Spring of 2026? Follow the link below to learn more about the role and how to apply.
archaeologystrategy.scot/scotlands-ar...

Intricate interlace pattern carved into a stone surface - panel from one of the Early Medieval West Highland graveslabs of Kilmoden, Argyll.

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Alison Spring @acspring.bsky.social · 1d

The obverse of a stone in Meigle churchyard (Perthshire). The dedication on the principal side is to Janet Edward, who died in 1737, age 49. Her husband was James Lesly. #31DaysofGraves #Day13 #Skeleton

This gravestone depicts a winged soul above a skeleton that stands between two trumpeting angels and holds an hourglass and an arrow. Other symbols on the stone are tools and a bell.

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Brian McRoberts @brimcrob.bsky.social · 2d

When I wander round Greyfriars Kirk. I always stop and marvel at some the carvings on the various graves. There is whole story the mason is telling with this one.

A gravestone with carved Skelton that looks as if its falling out of the stone while carrying some sort heavy tome of book.

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Dig It! @digitscotland.bsky.social · 1d

Described as an "ancient and atmospheric site", Inveravon Church in Moray is home to Pictish symbol stones which were carved over 1,200 years ago ⛪

Come along to this event to take a closer look and find out how these symbols fit into a wider cultural story: www.digitscotland.com/events/ancie...

Old church with a graveyard in front of it

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