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Cowie Chapel Childs Memorial Book
Example of a memorial in the popular book form, this one dated 1894 is in a permeable stone and has suffered badly from shell erosion over the years, it is in memory of a 4 years and 6 month old John Leiper. Who died on the 7th July 1894
Cowie Chapel farmerss tombs
Three examples of late 18th century headstones to tenant farmers and their families marked with the ploughshare and coulter symbol. The inscriptions also give the farm names.
Cowie Chapel Gardner tomb
Another early 20th century Celtic revival cross. This one is in grey granite and has some very nicely carved interlace panels, it commemorates burials various members of the Gardner family from 1908 -1965
Cowie Chapel Headstone with Finger Pointing Up
Lees family headstone of Gothic arch shape decorated with a hand pointing to heaven and flower scroll and cordage motifs.
Cowie Chapel lifeboat memorial
Grey granite memorial surmounted by a simple latin cross and carved in relief with a lifeboat, the inscription reads: Erected by public subscription to the memories of four of the crew of the Stonehaven life-boat "St George" Viz:- James Leiper, coxswain, John Brown, assistant coxswain, Alexander Main and James Lees, who were drowned while endeavouring to enter Aberdeen Harbour, after an attempt to render assistance to the "Grace Darling" of Blyth on 27th February 1874 --- James Leiper, is interred in Belhelvie Churchyard, Alexander Main in Nigg Churchyard, John Brown and James Lees are buried here.
Cowie Chapel Masonic headstone
This stone, dated 1793, shows the Masonic symbols of sun, moon, star, set square and compasses, trowel, chisel on ashlar, level, plumb rule, mell, set square and gavel.
Cowie Chapel seamens tombs
A variety of 18th and 19th century tombstones, adorned with ships and anchors, in memory of seamen and fishermen many of whom lost their lives at sea and often their wives and children. Some also bear memento mori symbols such as the hourglass. Most of the boats illustrated are open fishing boats but the fourth photograph shows a sarcophagus style tomb with a relief carving of a 3 masted ship in full sail. The top photograph showing a stone to David Adams also commemorates his seven children but has a blank where the inscription to his spouse was intended as does the related 'blacksmith's stone'. It is sad to think of that the likeliest explanation is that outliving their husbands and children these women had no survivors to order or pay for the inscriptions.
Cowie Chapel winged hourglass headstone
This unusual memento mori symbol of a winged hourglass may be seen on this badly eroded 18th century stone within the ruined chapel.
Cowie Chapel, 18th century blacksmiths headstone
Stone with the blacksmiths' crown and hammer symbol, the stone is inscribed: "in memory of James Forrest late blacksmith in Stonehaven who died January 14 1779 aged 71 years" then there is a gap presumably intended for an inscription to his wife that has not been done, followed by: "and also of their children Margaret and Jean who died in infancy. As with the similar blank on the stone of the seaman David Adams it is sad to think of that the likeliest explanation is that outliving their husbands and children these women had no survivors to order or pay for the inscriptions.
Cowie Chapel, 18th century shoemakers headstone
18th century stone dedicated to John Davidson shoemaker with the crown and last trade symbol of the shoemaker,
Cowie Chapel, Hassell tomb
A grandiose Celtic revival cross with angelic figures in pink granite inscribed: In memory of Susan Constance Hassell widow of William Hassell of Bristol died August 4th 1906. "There shall be no night there".
Cowie Chapel, St. Marys of the Storms, Cowie Kirkyard
The old kirk now stands as a consolidated ruin, originally dedicated to St. Nechtan, or St. Nathlan, though it was rededicated to St. Mary in 1276. It was never a parish kirk and was suppressed by the kirk session in the 1560s.
The kirk was lengthened at the W. end during renovations in the 15th - century, though the remainder of the kirk is said to be 13th – century in date. Restoration work was carried out in 1870 and it is probable that the lintel to the arched opening in the S. elevation dates from that time.
The E. and W. gables remain, the former composed of three lancet windows, very thin in proportion, broadly spaced and having carved sandstone head terminals. The gable wall is extremely deep with the windows having a remarkably broad internal splay. The W. gable features a large square window opening.The mort-house or arched vault was built in 1842 though the W. end of the kirk extends over this arch making it impossible to see how the vault was entered. The granite side and grassed roof of the vault appear to be in good order.
Tombstones : There are approximately 20 recumbent tombstones of which 4 are significantly well-decorated. There are many hundreds of upright tombstones contained within the kirkyard that is itself located on two levels. The kirkyard is approximately oval in shape and is situated on the cliffs with commanding views over the North Sea.
The bottom photograph shows the wrought iron 'kissing gate'.
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House sign and Post box - Gardners Cottage
Masonry wood metal and slate house sign in the form of a miniature house with a block work postbox incorporating what looks like a copper fire-hood to protect the brass letterbox.
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The Cat at the Window
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