84 PROCEEDING E SOCIETYTH F O S , 1957-58.

VI.

E CHURCTH OTHED HAN R BELL F ABERDEENSHIREO S .

. EELESLATC E B. YTH F E , O.B.E., D.LITT., F.S.A.ScoT.D AN , RANALD W. M. CLOUSTON, B.Sc.ENG., F.S.A.ScoT.

PART II.

KILDRUMMY t BrideS . .1 . A bird-cage belfry, dated 1803, house sa bellf ins14 ,. diameter, note B flat, inscribed: (Fleur-de-lys border all round, PI. XVI)/ D IOHN MOWAT OLDABDHEFE1760INUSUMECCLESJG/ DEKILDRUMMESABATAPANGOFUNERAPLANGO (Acanthus leaf border XVII,PL (a) {(Border PI. X,VII,(a) roundall bell) smallese Th t church bel f Mowat'o l s foun s yetda t differi ; s fros mhi other bells in the absence of rims below the second or lower line of inscription which, however closs ,i e unde linee th r s belo firse wupper th o t s ri lined an , quite separated fro waise continuoua m th y b t s acanthus leaf e friezth f o e usua lt int wordskinde smallese pu o th Th e . ar t possible spacep witga o hn of reasonable proportions beginnine betwee stothemf e th o t pTh a y .n an g of the inscription is one section of the acanthus leaf frieze which appears again lower down. The belfry has a large cornice and a conical stone roof which supports a ball wit iron ha n belfrcrosse Th y. rises fronorte wale th m th t h la sida f eo large semicircular excrescence on the north side of the church which houses a gallery staircase. The belfry is not as high as the roof of the church.

KINCARDINE O'NEIL. St Erchard. 0. The bell was removed to the new building about 1870. The quaint old bird-cage bellco s stili t l standin e westh tn e ruineo ggabl th f eo d church. It is almost identical with that at Birse, which is dated 1772. There is no vane as at Birse, but there may have been one formerly. The small semi- circular tympana have rope moulding round them. THE CHURCH AND OTHER BELLS OF ABERDEENSHIRE. 85

KINCARDINE O'NEIL Churchw Ne . 1 . . heree Jus 8 ins 1 ,beln e i churc.d lw Th diameter ol fro no e mhs i th , not, eG and wit inscriptione hth : IOHTC (rose) MOWAT (rose) ME (rose) FECIT (rose) VET (rose) ABD (rose) 1744 (rose) IN (rose) USUM (rose) ECCLESL3E (rose)E D (rose) / KITCCARDE N (rose) SABBATA (rose) PANGO (rose) FUNERA (rose) PLANGO (floral border) One of Mowat's earlier bells, although not the earliest kind of all. The fleur-de-lys border (PI. XVI) appear rounl sal bele dth l abov inscriptione eth , e acanthuth d an s borde l XVIIrounL al (P r) a d, belo e inscriptionwth . The flower stop is part of PI. XVI and the floral border is the one appearing on the bell at Skene below the inscription (PI. XVI). The letter N in IOHN and the third letter of KINCARDEN are reversed. The lip is rather chipped and the bell has been badly and clumsily hung in a belfry at the south end of the new church. It used to be said locally that the bell of Kincardine O'Neil could be heard at the church of Birse, but this may have been a rejoinder to the saying "as clear as the bell o' Birse."

KING EDWARD t EdwarS . Confessore dth . 1 . In the picturesque bird-cage belfry over the west end of the ruined church ibellsa ins8 1 , . diameter, not flateA , inscribed: IOH) (A FECI) N (A D . MOWA ) E TAB (A M ) ) (A T(A D OL 1755 (A) IN (A) USUM (A) ECLETLE (A) DE (A)/KING (B) EDWAR ) SABATD(C ) PANGA(C ) FUNER(C O ) A(C PLANG (border) Abov inscriptioe eth n ther bordea s ei fleur-de-lyf ro XVIL singld s(P )an e ones appear in the top line of the inscription denoted by (A). The acanthus leaf border (PL XVII, a) also appears at the end of the second line of the inscription and below that all round the bell, all inverted. One acanthus leaf is used as a stop, right way up denoted by (B), inverted by (C). The bell is a good clean casting in good condition and is one of the best largesd an Mowat'f o t s products disusedw inscriptiobele e no s Th li Th .. n parn i s t beeha n blundered intendee th , d words ECCLESIJ PLANGd 5an O not appearing. The belfry (PL XX, c) is of red sandstone and has four pillars, each outside face of which bears a richly carved pilaster in middle relief. These pillars suppor wese corbelle e th cross-piecee ar tn th to d t an usuae dou y th n wa lsi side. Under each corbel is a short row of dog-tooth. Above the cross- pieces the pillars have merely roll mouldings on their edges, and in the midst of each side is a central square pillar. The tops of the east and west openings 86 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, 1957-58.

e belfroth f y hav plaio etw n semicircular cuspscornice Th . s smalei d an l ther remaine ear pinnaclef so cornerse th t sa . Over each side are triangular tympana, the west one is much •worn, the easplaine e on nortt th d sout, han h one e ornamentear s d with flowers. The lower openin soute th ogen n hgi a sids e shapeeha d heade , th tha n o t north side a square head. Over each is a projecting band of ornament, the lower membe dog-tootf o w whicf ro ro a hs h i ornament . Perhap belfre sth y is of the same date as the lych gate, viz. 1621. The design is almost exactly like one section of the elaborate double belfry at Turriff. The church was extensively repaired by Robert Keith, Earl Marischal, in 1578.

KING EDWARD. New Church. 1. A pepper-box like turret over the west gable contains a bell provided by public subscriptio n 184i nd weighin an 8 g 4^o cwt.e tw turre s Th 1ha t window eacn so h side closed with louvre boards; internall lowee yth r part is like a slender stone tower and access to it from the gallery is such that the bringing of a ladder into it of sufficient length is practically impossible. The bell has not been inspected.

KINNELLAR t TriduanaS . . 1 . plaia n I n bird-cage belfry ove norte rth h end, built 1801, hang singlsa e bell, 18J ins! diameter, inscribed: (a shield) PEETER VAN9EN GHEIN HEFT MY GHEGOTEN MCCCCCCXH finese Onth f et o countye bell letterinth e n si Th . particularlgs i y delicate and well proportioned; very probably the best in use in the Low Countries since the Reformation. It is almost late medieval in character and is very like that used by George Waghevens of Mechlin, c. 1519—26, with the difference t quit no 'massiv o thaes s i t rathei d t ean r more elaborate "Me Th ". used by Waghevens, however, is quite different, being Lombardic in character. The fourth lette VANDEn i r Nactualls i t seemi yreversea d san , thadG t the last two units in the date have been partly erased. The small shield at the commencement of the inscription has three vertical bands on it and is otherwise plain, being the arms of Mechlin. Above the inscription appears an ornamental border, and below it there three ar e angels with outstretched wings each bearin gplaqua e suspended threy b e strings from their mouths canone Th brokene . sar . Two semicircular stone belfrd s ol preservede fro e yar m th s date i e don , 1615. 1 Godsman, The Church of King Edward, Aberdeenshire, 61. E CHURCTH OTHED HAN R BELL F ABERDEENSHIREO S 7 8 .

KINNOIR. Mission Church. 1 . The bird-cage belfry contain bellsa , abou ins8 1 t . diameter, inscribed: ADAME GORDOVNE 160 • 5IOHM • HAMILTOVm • CORS •/ C^FTME FOR KINNOIR/W53 A most interestin tha-woule e on on t t d gno expec beld a an lfino t tn i d modern belfr a missio f o y n church firse Th te inscriptio .par th f o t s nwa stamped or scraped in the mould', and so appears raised on the bell; the letters are Lombardic in design, not unlike those found on a bell at Lochmaben, Dumfries, wele c.1320ar l d spacean , d lattee outTh r. parf o t the inscription, shown in italics above, is all incised and was obviously added some 50 years after the bell was cast. The incising work has been very carelessl irregularld yan y done lettere somd th figured an ,f eo s an ver e ar s y poorly defined. The figure 5 of the date 1605 is virtually lying on its side, and the whole inscription has the appearance of complete lack of skill. The bel rathes li r tub-shape retaind dan s canons ironf o fittinge l .th al ; e sar The bel linscriptioe wasth s a , n relates, obtaine r Kinnoidfo r churcn hi 1653e parisheTh . f Dunbennao s d Kinnoian n d beeha rn united about 1567, and in 1727 the parish church of Dunbennan was removed to a site now within the town of Huntly. The bell was discovered at Brodie Castle

Morayshirn i presene 1935th . e c d tan , belfr addes missioe th ywa o dt n church 1 to house it.2

KLNTORE. St Mary. 2. The present church, built in 1819, has a small unused belfry at the west end, and the bell hangs in the steeple of the Town House. The diameter is inscriptioe 23th insd an . n reads: D FVNDOR D SVMPTIBV S DN DT I DE VSV M Q ECCLESIffi D PAROCHIALIS Q DE Q KINTOR/ D MEMORES n ESTOTE Q SVPREMI Q IVDICII Q ALBERTVS D GELY Q FECI TDD D N D A MDCCI I This bell is looked upon as the joint property of the church and the burgh, and hangs between two beams close to the clock in the small box-like steeple in the Town House, which is on the opposite side of the Market Place to the church. The Town House was begun in 1737 and finished in 1747; before it was built it is said that the bell used to hang in a tree in the churchyard. 1901n I usebele s Sundayth ,n ldwa o meetingr sfo Councie n th o f sd o lan all occasions of importance. The clock strikes on it, and it was also used funeralr fo fot rno sfire t unlessbu deceasee sth persoa s dconsequencef wa n o . 1 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, vi, 316. 2 Kindly communicated by Rev. Neil R. Hendersou, Minister of Huntly, 1956. 88 PROCEEDING E SOCIETYTH F O S , 1957-58.

The bell is a typical example of Gely's work. Very well and cleanly cast with a thin angular soundbow and Low Country outline. There are three small-rounded moulding shouldee wireth n againso d ran , further apart, e soundbowonth canone Th plaine clappee . ar s Th s bee. ha r n lowered enlarged an shrinkiny db iron balle ga nth .bano t n do The inscriptio rathen i s ni r thicker-faced lettering than that usey db Joh t quitnno n sucs Mowaei i hd higan t h relief. Section e loweth f ro s border ornament are used as stops between the words, as at Portlethen (Banchory Devenick, Kincardineshire), this ornament taking the form of a diagonal cross on a rectangular ground on both bells. The fleur-de-lys

border above the inscription appears to have been reproduce1 d from a medieval Low Country founder, on whose bells it may be seen at Kettins (Angus), Perth and Dunning (Perthshire), Gely also uses it at Insch. The borde slightls ri y different from that use Johy db n Mowa XVI)L (P t . At the beginning of the upper line of inscription is an unintelligible mark •which is perhaps a blunder for Grely's founder's stamp (see Portlethen). He does not invariably use this, however. The tone is very "stony," i.e. unmusical. The hangings are evidently coseval with the bell. The straps are wide and are nailed to the stock: those for the single canons are V-shaped. The U-shaped bolt through the argent hole is fastened with thin doubled- split keys the ends of which are splayed. The upper edges of the stock are bevelle couplin o therd n de an ear g plates largiroA w . nene baldrics kha been made for the clapper. The bell is moved by a long wooden lever projectin ins0 gins3 3 . fro2- . stocke s thici mstraight th d t I kan . , becoming rounde slightld dan y pointed towardwhicd en coveres he i iron sth a ny db sheath terminating in a hook for the rope. The lever is fixed to the top of the stock by an iron hoop on each side, the hoops being nailed on. The whole arrangement is exceedingly primitive. The clock is inscribed: Hugh Gordon Aberdeen/Dono dedit Comes Martialis 1774 The Parish Churc disusea s hha d handbell, 7\ ins. diameter ins6 , . high, which bears no inscription and has no moulding wires. The existing handle appears to be a recent addition, the stump of the original handle remains on the crown. F. C. E. 1901. LEOCHBL. St Marnoch. 0. churcw Thiremovebels e ne th ruinhe n lwa s i d th churc w san o d t no s hi when that was built in 1797-8. The west wall still stands, with a plain bird-cage belfry with rudimentary pinnacles, something betwee newee nth r churc t Midmaha t unlik Coulld no d an re an Belhelvie, . Ecles, The Church Bells of J^incardineshire, illustration facing p. 14. 1 E CHURCTH OTHED HAN R BELL F ABERDEENSHIREO S 9 8 . LEOCHEL AND CUSHNIE. New Church. 1. The west bird-cage belfry contains a bell, about 14 ins. diameter, inscribed: (Fleur-de-lys border all round (PI. A"F/)/OLD ABD IOHN MOWAT MB FECIT 1754 USUM ECCLESLE/DE LEOCHEL SABATA PANGO FUNERA PLANGO (Acanthus leaf border] XVII,(PL a)/(Border XVII,(PL a) roundall bell) bele lTh retains canon huns i d g san wit hwoodea n whee headstockd an l . parishee Th Leochef so Cushnid lan e were unite churce 179n dth i d 5h an J was built on the present site in 1797—8. The above bell came from Leochel Old Church and that from Cushnie, dated 1686, is at Lynturk church in this parish.

LEOCHEL AND CUSHINE. Lynturk Church. belfra n I y usuae ofth l bird-cage type unusuallt ,bu y plai apparentld nan y of late date, hangs a single disused bell, 13 ins. diameter, note E, inscribed: (Flower leaf)d an PK 1686 (flower leaf)d an Cast by Patrick Kilgour of Old Aberdeen, being the earliest known bell cas than ti t city. Tub-shape waiste shord th dan n ti , wit same hth e lettering s usea t Ballaterda , wit e flowe hth lead an fr ornament foun belln o dy b s Peter Ostens of Rotterdam (PI. XVI). There are two moulding wires above e inscriptio th belowo tw d , witnan hfurthea r three abov e soundboeth w whic roundes hi projectingd dan . The hanging mose sar t remarkable ford an m, perhap earliese sth t known n iroa nf o headstock e us instanc e hand-bele th Th f . o e l type argens i t strapped to the stock by a single bent iron plate. The headstock is a simple iron bar with a slight thickness in the middle where it meets the argent; r for e gudgeonsba m th e e endth above th f writtes Th o s .ewa 1898n ni , sincd an e the nwoodea n coverin bees gha n fitted ove iroe rth n headstocd kan bearings have been provided in the wall where formerly there were none.

LESLIE t NinianS . . 1 . smale Th l bird-cage belfry contain bell sa f ins 16 ,. diameter, inscribed: MICHAEL BVRGERHVYS ME FECIT 1642 A plain bell, bearin ornamentao gn l borders letterine th ;smallee th s gi r set, f in. high, but very similar in design to PI. XVII, b. The bell is cracked, one single cano bees t througnha n cu strapa y hb , causebele th l y workindb g loose on the stock. The straps are nailed to the wooden headstock and are of considerable age. The modern clapper is hung from a false staple fixed

through the crown. The lip has been badly chipped. Scott1 , Fasti EcclesitB Scoticance, VI, 134. 90 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, 1957-58.

The small but fine granite belfry of 17th century date is of the ornate churce th sidef ovee s i o typwes h e Th d d , d).srth (PI ehavtan en .XX e only the lower openings; the pillars are lOJr ins. wide with roll mouldings on the edges, and the opening is 19£ ins. wide. The cornice has double roll moulding e parth t d beloan s pinnaclee wth s projects tympane Th . e aar small, triangular with scroll siden so s over easwesd an t t faces, semicircular with finials over the north and south faces. The pinnacles consist of cushions with flowers above. The tympanum over the west face bears raised letters M IFthad Lan t ove soute rth h facinitiale eTh whao s d . D t appear I e b o st 1608 fit James Douglas, who was minister here in 1628 and in 1637,1 but he did t hol office no d th earls a e readine s 1608y a weathereth e o th s ,f go d stons ei probably inaccurate.

LOGIE BUCHAN t AndrewS . . 1 . A plain bird-cage belfry ove e wesd containth r en t a bellsf ins14 , . diameter, height 11 f ins., not inscribed, eA : FOR • THE • KIRK • OF • LOGIE • BUCHAN • R • M • / FECIT • ED* : IN • COMP* : J728 • A smal t typicabu l l exampl Roberf eo t Maxwell's work: crown flat-like many Dutch bells t waisbu , t straighte soundbod an r w very smalle Th . canons appea complete b o t r t the almose ebu yar t entirely hiddee th y nb stock, to which the bell is attached by nailed straps. The original crown staple is broken and the clapper has been rehung in the usual way. The letterin same th tha s s ega i t use t Bonhill.da 2 The Session Records contain the following entries under 1728:

To the Burser ...... £2 Charge bele Edinburghth o t lf so shord an , e duecarriagd san e and postage of the way ...... £21 Charges of bringing her home ...... 119 To the wright for making the stock and for the hell-tow . . 0 18

Expended on 4 18 John bloc e Woo1 th r k dfo 4

To John Mutch, smit Newarn hi ironworr k fo bele th l o kt

Sum £10 1 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scottcance,

so the above bell is the first and only bell of the united parish. 1 F. C. E. 1913.

LONGSIDE. 1 . A bird-cage belfry at the west end of the church contains a bell, about 18 ins. diameter, inscribed: HEARS & STAINBANK, LONDON./(wat's<) CAST 1817. WILLIAM GREIG, MINISTER/RECAST 1914. RICHARD HENDERSON, MINISTER This bell has canons and is fitted with a wooden headstock and lever. Dr Eeles inspected the predecessor of this bell in 1907 and notes the diameter as 20f ins. and the inscription as: BAIR ELLID& S ABDN.. REV? WILLIAM GREIG MINISTER./1817 Rev. William Greig was born in 1757, admitted in 1790, and died in 1828, his tombstone being in the kirkyard.2

LONMAY. 1. The bell, 21 ins. diameter, note B, bears no inscription. The crown has a hand-bell type s verargeni d y an similae rathet th o t rr smaller bellt a s Drumblade and Forgue, which have exactly similar moulding wires on the soundbow. The bell was probably cast by Abernethy & Co. of Aberdeen.

1 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, vi, 103. 2 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, VI, 227. 92 PROCEEDING E SOCIETYTH F O S , 1957-58.

LONMAY. Episcopal Churc t ColumbaS f ho . 2 . A bellso chimtw f , eo 1 3 ins16d Jan . ins. diameter, note sharsF d pan E flat, hangs in an open belfry. Both bells are inscribed: HEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON. 1869. Incised on the crown of the smaller is 13 ins. and on that of the larger ins.6 is1

LUMPHANAN. St Finan. 1. The belfry contains a bell, 15^ ins. diameter, inscribed: (ornament) 1851 (ornament) On eac hdate sidth ef e o ther floraa s ei l stop which also appear belln so s e Episcopath t a l Churc t TernanS f o h , Banchory Ternan d Kinnefan , f former Free Church, both in Kincardineshire,1 fig. 2, 3. The bell is rather flower-pot shaped; no lines but mouldings at the shoulder (top) and on soundbow. The inscription is in the usual place. The canon vere sar y straight headstoce Th . shouldere s klevei a s rha d dan centree bele th n lTh i hang. iron si n bracket vera n si y high "arch" belfry of pseudo-classical design, built in 1851. The belfry is huge and is sur- mounted by three large spiked balls.

MELDRUM. Old Meldrum Parish Church. 1. A modern arch belfry over the gallery staircase at the south-west corner soute oth f h trancept contain bellsa ins9 1 , . diameter, height 19J ins., noteA sharp, inscribed: IMPENSIS KEITH URQUART OF MELDRUM M? THO* TAIT MINISTER |:--/SI MUNDUS VULT DECIPI CLECIPIATUR J787 \l- A very cleanly cast English bell, better proportioned tha Whitechapee nth l periode bellth f so , crow shoulderd nan s rounded, canons smal curvedd an l . Moulding crowne wirebeloe th locatede above on e n sar wo d on th , e ean on , inscription, three above the soundbow and two above the lip. The crown staple is broken. The lettering is very closely set, the R of M^ is the same size as the others THf o mucs OS i e hth smallert bu e botn i th ; hy b case t lettee cu sth s i r moulding-wire abov inscriptione eth beginnine th lette e t e a th Th rD f . g o last wor inverteds di . Rev. Thomas Tait, M.A., was minister here from 1783 till 1798 when he move Ellon.o dt 2 1 Boles Churche Th , Bells of Kincardineshire,. 34 , 24 2 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, vi, 174. E CHURCTH OTHED HAN R BELL F ABERDEENSHIREO S 3 9 .

Fro Sessioe mth n Record followine sth g entrie notede sar :

Jun1 1 e 1699 Joho T .n Youn helpinr gfo bele gth l £00—03—06 hir sfo shoem Ite hi e sm£00—12—0 o at fe ss parhi f to 6 31 Dec. 1699. For taking down the church bell £ = — 4— = y 1703Ma 3 . Ite four mfo r fathom U £00—12—0be towef e so th o st 0 13 Aug. 1753. To Robert Officer for ringing the Tolbooth Bell for the accommodation of worshippers £1—10— — 2 Sept. 1754 Robero .T t Bruc r ringinefo g Tolbooth Bell £2— 8— -

MELDRUM Meldrud Ol . m Town House. 1 . A small wooden box-like bell-turret, crowned with a conical lead roof cocd an k vane, contain bellsa ins4 2 , . diameter f ins18 , . high, not sharpeA , inscribed: OLD MELDRUM IMPENSIS KEITH URQUHARE TD MELDRUM SALUS POPULI./LEX SUPREMA 1791 By Thomas Hears the elder, of Whitechapel. The moulding wires are located 2, 2—2, 3—2, and the bell is used for the clock to strike upon. The Session Records given above show tha towe th t n mus t bela hav d l prioeha r to the casting of the present one in 1791. F. C. E. 1913.

METHLICK t DeavanachS . . 1 . plaia n I n bird-cage belfr ruinee yth f ove o d 'wese d churcrth en t h hangs singla e bell, abou ins8 1 t . diameter, inscribed: 1827 1828 A high-crowned bell from the Whitechapel Foundry, London. The belfry is dated 1780 and is of sandstone; it is not of the usual kind, having a flat arch to the east and west, a circular opening to north and south and a minature flattened dome, with remain vanea f so . e sessioTh n records 1 contain quit enumbea f entrieo r s relatine th o gt predecessors of this bell. On 23rd December 1781 it was reported that the tongue had fallen out and on 17th August 1783 that the bell had been rent. decides wa Georgr t senI o dt bele M dth o t le Forbe Aberdeef d so ha o nwh procure t doriginallyi t bac recaspu t s belplacee n i ki d t wa lTh an t.bu , was only a few years later when on 29th January 1786 the Minister reported that "hbeed eha n unde necessite th r buyinf yo g several fathom ropef o s s in order to get up to the Steeple of the Church to find out what was the 1 Methlick Parish Magazine, Feb., April, 1909. 94 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, 1957-58.

occasio Bell'e th f nso fallings bottoe dow Steeplewa e th t th o i n t f m d o an , found Beltha e Eare cause th th lth tf this f havino eo swa g separated from her." s subsequentlwa t I y decided thae belth tl itselquits wa fe souno ds Andrew Lawson, blacksmith of Seatown, near Old Aberdeen, was instructed rehano t belle gth . wa lighte o Thisto on .d s ol require e stocw th s ne ka d a

METHLICK. New Church. 1. A saddle-back tower contains a single bell, 33^ ins. diameter, weighing 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 14 lb., inscribed: GILLETT & JOHNSTON FOUNDERS CROYDON 1908/ (on the waist) IN MEMORY OF JAMES WHYTE/BORN 25 AUGUST 1809, DIED 4 AUGUST 1881/PRESENTEI) S FAMILHI Y B Y TO/THE PARIS F METHLICKHO . The bell has been considerably flattened and is hung dead by four bolts through the crown from a metal girder. The bell is rung by pulling the clapper clocagainse th sidke d hammeeon an t r strikeopposite th n so e side. Ther inscriptioornamentae n a waiste th s eth i d f an o , p nlto bordee th t a r is in plain sanserif? compressed letters. . 1913E . C .. F

MIDMAB. St Nidan. 0. This church is now in ruins; the bell was taken to Midmar Castle in 1788 and from thencHome th o eet Far mt Clunya . From sens thero t wa t t ei Aberdeen to be recast about 1875.

MIDMAB,. Established Church. 1. In a small bird-cage belfry over the west end hangs a single bell, 18 ins. diameter, not inscribe. eB d: PETER IANSEN ANNO 1642 There is a very fine ornamental border above and below the inscription. desige angelseaco n o Th tw h e s ni sidvasa on , f fruif eo eo t holdin thein gi r hands cornucopise full of conventional foliage: this is repeated continuously hign i h reliefletteringe s verTh i relie.w d ylo an ,. fbad,high n Ji in s i , not as good as Ostens' work. The canons are plain and rather small, one is broken; the soundbow is chippeds i p li roundee .th d Heighdan crowo t n plate 13 J ins. The bell was brought from Kinairney old church in 1788. E CHURCTH OTHED HAN R BELL F ABERDEENSHIREO S 5 9 . MONQUITTER. 1. In a large and coarse "classical" arched belfry over the north end of the church hangs a bell, 17 j ins. diameter, inscribed: (a cross) E 10 EROL P OF MOVHITER. Si AD HAY MIR. PAT KttGOVR ABD F. 1689. The inscriptio s probabli n y intende o readt d : EARL JOHN EROL PATRON OF MONVHITER. MASTER ADAM HAY MINISTER. PATRICK KILGOVR ABERDEEN FECIT 1689 e bel s almosi .Th l t identical with that at Kennethmont cast in the same year and evidently using the same moulding tackle. This bell here is a far better casting and has a much smoother surface. The inscription is clearer and better set. The bell is in good condition and has four canons. There are two moulding wires above the shoulder, one each side of the inscription, three above the soundbow and two above the lip. The small initial cross does not occur on the other surviving bells by Patrick Kilgour, but the lettering is the same. At Ballatea s Kennethmond an r contractioe th t n mark made ar sI'y sb e turned sideways. Rev. Adam Hay was born about 1647, instituted in 1678 and died in 1727.1 A stone upon the old belfry is said to have been inscribed "I. E. E.

PATRON would "an d therefore appea havo rt e bee same nth e approximate 2 belle th ag .s ea

MONYMUSK t MaryS . . 1 . towee Th r contain singlsa e bell ins2 2 , . diameter, inscribed: IOA D MOWA TQB DFECIM QD 174QTT AB Q8VE QDN I USUM D -^CCLESLE D DE D MONIEMUSK Q CH/SABBATA Q PANGO D FUTCERA Q

1 Scott, Fasti Eeclesice Scoticcmm, vi, 268. 2 Jervise, Epitaphs Inscriptions,d an , 175I . 96 PROCEEDING E SOCIETYTH F O S , 1957-58.

rathes i Th p li er tone thic th bluntd stons heigh e i d kan Th yan s . i t 17\ ins., with canon inss4 . hig additionn hi fittinge Th . s include a.n original half wheel with sole and shroudings 6 ins. wide overall. The headstock has been renewenailed ol t d dbu strap s have been re-use d supplementean d d with bolted ones. At one time a lever appears to have been fitted below the headstock. F. C. E. 1913.

NEWBURGH. Holyrood Chapel. 1 . A single bell, 26f ins. diameter, inscribed: HEAR STAINBANK& S , WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY, LONDON 1890.

NEW DEER. South Church. 1. towee Th r contain bella s , 20^ ins. diameter, not flateA , which bearo sn inscription rathea s i t rI roug. h castin Englise th greaf o go n hf t o typ d ean age. Moulding wires are arranged 2, 2-2, 2-1, and the bell is hung from a stock made of some white wood with a very rude heavy wheel. The crown staple has broken and the clapper has been rehung with bolts through the crown. towee completes Th wa r bele cloc d 186n th di an l d k5 weran e fittep du unde superintendance rth Davir M f deo Gill, late r DaviSi r d Gill.1 The tympanum and three finials of an old bird-cage belfry are built on to a burial aisle in the churchyard. The tympanum is of granite and is sculpturefleur-de-lya side d eon an othere n th o d n .o n swit su Par ha f o t armorian a l stone, dated 1595 bees ,ha n inserted intmiddle : oth thiit f seo and two of the finials are of sandstone; the third finial is of granite and is e stoneth f o s e forminparon s i f tympanum e o tp th gto e finiae th n Th o l. remain9e it'f th insiron o .a s p nf .ha o sto uprighhig d e han th n i t F. C. E. 1912.

NEWHILLS. Old Church. 1. An open east bell-cote contain a singls e bell, abou ins4 2 t . diameter, inscribed: 1778 The figures and the design of the bell suggest the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London, as the place of origin. The bell retains canons and is rung by a lever operated from outside the building. The tone is good. 1 Henderson, Aberdeenshire Epitaphs and Inscriptions, 402. E CHURCTH OTHED HAN R BELL F ABERDEENSHIREO S 7 9 . NEW MACHAB. St Colman. 1. A plain bird-cage belfry at the -west end contains a bell, 14f ins. diameter, inscribed :

A well and smoothly cast bell from the Middelburg foundry in Holland. ornamento Thern canone e th ear smale d plainletterinsd ar e san an lTh . g e sam th a smallef es o i desigt se r thas na e samt th use ey db founde t a r Logic Coldstone (PI. XVII, 6). Here the lettering is f in. high and is illustrated elsewhere.1

NEW PITSLIGO. Episcopal Church of St John the Evangelist. 1. A bell, 22^ ins. diameter, not inscribe, eG d : (a star) IMPBNSIS • POPULI • ET • URBIS • BT • RURIS • IOANNBS • EASTON • FRASERBURGI • FECIT • 1725/(a star) CONVOC OPOPULU• • OULTU D A M • M • DIVINU M : /(border all round) /M* : AL : AUCHINLECK • / • PASTOR •

A remarkable bell. 1 The lettering seems to be a copy of that used by John Meikle of Edinburgh. There is a border above the inscription made up of a design of single hairpin bends, the straight parallel section being placed vertically e bendlevee th f ever f o Th o l. y thir beine don g higher tha e remaindernth bordee Th ,r. 5 figbelo , 2 .e mai - wth in ne parth f o t scription is in the form of a sine wave with leaf ornament in the humps and hollows,. fig7 , .2 The bel vers i l shouldee s smalyth ha fla n d o lt canonsan r shape Th e. is rather lik eflower-pota soundboe Th . thicws i rathed kan r projecting. Altogethe Edinburge belth a r f o l h type withou affinity an t y wit wore hth k Aberdeee oth f n founders tone stons Th ei poor.d yan . . 1907E . C . . F

OYNE. Old Church. 1. The old church, now disused, has a plain bird-cage belfry at the east end. This contains a bell, 14f ins. diameter, inscribed: HUGH GORDON & COM! 1771 (Border) The ornamental border also appear bele t th Birs a l n so e which bearo sn founder's name,. 4 fig , 2 .

OYNE Churchw Ne . . This church, which was a former United Free Church, is now used as the parish church belfrA . y contain uninscriben sa d bell, abou ins2 1 t. diameter, 1 P.S.A.S., LXXXII, 179, fig. 15(a). VOL. XCI. 7 98 PROCEEDING E SOCIETYTH F O S , 1957-58.

which has a hand-bell type argent. The-fittings include iron headstock and wheel. The bell dates from the 19th century.

PETERCULTER. St Peter. 1. rouga n I h plain bird-cage belfr churce th y f oveo h wese d hangth r en t s a single bell, 21 ins. diameter, inscribed: PETERCULTER/(o« waist) 1860 The bell is probably from the same foundry as that at Lumphanan.

PETERHEAD. St Peter. 1. toweruinewes e e oe d fth th th ten t n rda I churc bell a ins f hs i ,.23 diameter, height 19 ins., note E flat, inscribed: (fieur-de-lys) SOLGLORIO DE I A MICHAEL BVRGERHVYS ME FECIT 164Z The lettering, f in. high, is the same as that at Logie Coldstone and a letter Z is used instead of a figure 2 in the date. The fleur-de-lys stop at the beginning of the inscription is repeated as a border all round the bell above and belo inscriptione wth lattee th rn I positio. inverteds i t ni . bele gooa s li Th d castin goon i s d d gha conditionan e us o t wea e e th , du r been slight. The crown staple originally cast-in has broken and the clapper has been hung from a bolt through the crown but not straight. The hangings appear to date from the 18th century and include nailed straps. F. C. E. 1898. PETERHEAD. Old Church. 1. towee th n rI with spire hang bellsa ins8 3 , . diameter, weighin cwt0 g1 . lb.2 1 , . inscribed0qr : C & G- HEARS POUNDERS LONDON 1850 . 1907E . C . . F PETERHEAD. Town House. 1 . The steeple contains a bell, 39J ins. diameter, note Gt, weighing 10 cwt. qrs 3 lb.0 2 ., inscribed: G. HEARS FOUNDER LONDON 1858 e TowTh Tolboothd n ol Hous e buils th e sit e178n wa f i th , teo n 8o l the bell of which is in the Arbuthnott Museum. The above bell of 1858 is recasa olde n e a saib f ro to d t bel l which became cracked. F. C. E. 1907. Statisticalw Ne e Th 1 Account of Scotland, xn, 356. E CHURCTH OTHED HAN R BELL F ABERDEENSHIREO S 9 9 .

PETERHEAD. Arbuthnott Museum. 1. Here is preserved the bell from the old Tolbooth, 19f ins. diameter, height 15 ins., inscribed: GEORG• R •FO E EAR• LMARSHA• • F O L • SCOTTLAN FECI• M • T R DED• 172• B/ 5• Cas Robery b t t Maxwel f Edinburgo l d bearinhan s usuaghi l lettering as at Logie Buchan. The bell is a good casting with a flat crown, small soundbo verd wan y large dee pcanone ins3 lip Th e .. highar s . wid, in f e . VIII . deepEl in . e b f , se , y b After leaving the old Tolbooth the bell was at New Byth where it was hung fro mleathea r strap. This brok caused e an bele dfalth o lt l breaking clappere th locaA . l blacksmith repaire lattee dlarget th mado to bu r t e,i causin craco t belle t gi k th . At the time of the casting of this bell George Keith, Earl Marischal, was an exile on the continent.

PITSLIGO. Old Church. 0. There is now no bell at the old church but on the west gable there is a most remarkable belfry elaboratels i same t th I l e. al t a y t treateno t dbu othee th s ra ornate belfrie VIIIL s(P , c). Little shafts with capital based san s are set upon the faces of the four square pillars. Each opening has an elliptical arch, the heads of the east and west arches having two feather- shaped tracery panels. The east and west openings are divided crossways stona y b e abovd transo e bellights an o resth o t len r tw o tmthi fo e . ar s Ther doubla s ei e moulded cornice; above each corne four-sidea s ri d pinnacle. The roof is four-sided and pointed, there are remains of a vane. The date 1635 appears on the small tympana over the east and west sides with the norte th n hinitialo sideP .sA

PITSLIGO Churchw Ne . 2 . . modera n I n belfry ove e weshangd th r en t bella sf ins 18 , . diameter, 16 ins. high which bear inscriptiono n s e bel s verTh i l . y coarse looking and roughly cast, rather long in the waist with very sharp shoulders. The crown, 10 ins. diameter, is practically flat, and terminates in a large hand-bell type argent cast-ie Th .n crown stapl clappee brokes th e ha bees d nrha an n hung from a loop through the crown. There are no ornaments or markings save three coars d ill-definean e d moulding wires abov e soundbowth e . bele sais i Th l havo dt e been brough churc d t doeti t ol frot e no sh mbu th appea vere b yo r t old. Fortunately the Kirk Session record for 29th November 1798 states that 100 PROCEEDING E SOCIETYTH F O S , 1957-58. beed ha n e ren 29ton n ministee o td th hol furnished e belth ha r w s a lne da October 1797. The cost can be calculated as £13, 5s., as one of the heritors, whose proportion was an eighth of the whole, had not paid up. The amount , 13s£1 s du. IJdewa . Preserve Manse th handbell a t ds a ei , 4J ins. diameter, 5high. |in , which bear incisee sth d inscription: KIRK + SESSIONPITSLIGOI F O I I MDCCXLII +

See PL VIII, d. It is unlike other hand-bells in the north of Scotland, rather tub shaped. There are mouldings on the crown and on the soundbow which is small. The inscription is at the top of the waist in rather new looking lettering; between the words is a very small arrow pointing downwards.

PREMNAY. 1. A plain bird-cage belfr churce yth f ove o hwes e d rth contain en t bellsa , 17f ins. diameter, inscribed: (Soundbow) . J WARNE SONSR& . LONDON. 1880 A brass porce platth inscribeds n ehi i : THIS BELL/WAS A DEATHBED BEQUEST/TO THE PARISH CHURC F PREMNAY/FROO H M GEORGE ISAAC, CARPENTER, GADIEDALE/WHO WITS HHI FIVE CHILDREN/DIED OF DIPHTHERIA/IN SEP- TEMBER 1878 belfryd churchyarol e 1678. e th c ,th n i f s o i ,A p fragmendto wale th lf o t e gatee presen e th wes Th th f . o to t t belfry, built 1792 s chamfere,ha d pillarse edgeth o st .

RATHEN t EthernanS . . 0 . The ruined church has a quaint and picturesque bird-cage belfry over wese th t end. Thi s empt bele beebelfrw s th lha no ns ys a yi hun Rathen gi n Public School. It is of granite, square in plan, with a semicircular arch on each side balvana ,d lan e tope beinth .n go Abov norte eth he arcth f ho belfry are incised the letters W C; above the west arch A S; above the south 1783 initiale Th stan.C r WilliasW dfo m ministes Cuminwa o rewh here from 1772 till his death in 1800.1 1 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, vi, 239. THE CHURCH AND OTHER BELLS OF ABERDEENSHIRE. 101 RATHEN. West Church. 1. The tower with spire contain singlsa e bell, 27f ins. diameter, not sharpeF , inscribed: CAS JOHY B T N WARNE SON& R S LONDON 1873. A plate screwed to the headstock is inscribed: Presented by/M . ECHAMBER.A s S HUNTER/OF/ TILLERY AND AUCHIRIES/TO THE/PARISH CHURC RATHEN/JUNP HO E 1873 The bell in use here prior to 1873 was purchased for the Mission Church at Sandhaven for £5. This bell, 17| ins. diameter, 12^ ins. high, note C, bear inscriptio o hand-bela s n s ha d nlan type argent. F. C. E. 1913.

RATHEN. Public School. 1. e opeTh n e schoobelfrth f o yl contain e bel th d churchs lol fro e mth , 17 J ins. diameter ins3 1 ,. high, not inscribed, eA : ^PETEIUIANSENVANNO 1643*- bele mucs Th i l same hth lansen's ea s other product t Midmarsa , Grlen- buchat and Auchterless. The ornamental border which appears on the Midmar bell abov belod einscriptioan e wth herns i e only belo letteringe wth ; rougs i wornd t i han . The lettering is small and irregular as on lansen's other bells. The inscription is the same as on the Midmar bell except for the date, and there is no "BONI TON." The crown is flat with a slightly projecting edge and is pierced in two places for bolts which appear to meet two of the double canons. Part of the argent is broken. The soundbow is large and projecting and the lip has been chipped.

RAYNE. St Andrew. 7. The bird-cage belfry contains a bell which bears no inscription. The bell has a hand-bell type argent and no moulding wires where the inscription ban sais i d hav o dt shoult I e . bee whicdf be o ne twof recasho on use,t ou td han o t medievaa n gi l belfry which stood abov chancee eth d ol le arcth f ho church. The bell has an iron headstock and lever and would appear to date from the 19th century. The present church was built in 1789, but the very beautiful bird-cage belfry which bears the inscription on the tympanum on the west side: M W A 1619 102 PROCEEDING E SOCIETYTH F O S , 19.57-58.

came from the older building. Walter Abercrombie was the minister in 1619,1 see PL X, a. The belfry is remarkable if not unique: of the same general type as Insch and Culsalmond it is simpler in detail. It rests on four short granite balusters, like ornamental balls, each wit ha differen t decoration upo, nit uppee th rsolif sidee o part th de f sar masonr so e cornicth d s simplei yan y moulded. There are finials on the triangular pediments on the east and west sides and there are roll mouldings round the openings and up each angle. The last are corbelled off above the ball-like balusters at the base of the structure.

RHYNIE. St Luag. 0. churchd remainbelol e o n e Th l w th use. Therf no so han o d t e n ear go trea e upo nsmala lhillside knolwestwar e th fiela th n n do li o e t d knows na e Belth l Knowe, whencremoves wa t ei churc dw buils whene he wa t nth on the Muir of Pthynie. It is now at the school. There was formerly a hand-bell at the manse, but it was destroyed .when the building was burnt lase th t f boughcenturys o d wa en Aberdeet n I i t e dow. th t na 176n ni 2 uses t funeraldwa a abouo d t an p u st 1825,2 being most probabl wore yth k of John Mowat.

KHYNIE. New Church. 1. The tower with spire contains a bell, 35 ins. diameter, note B, inscribed: PRESENTED BY JAMES SYMON, OP MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, A.D. 1889./JOHN 0. WILSO POUNDERS, C? N& . GLASGOW./(Ow Soundbow) "GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO, IN TERRA PAX HOMINIBUS" James Symon provided the church with tower, clock and bell at a cost

of about £500 diee H t Huntl da Jul.h 5t yn y1889o , age years.3 d6 3

KHYNIE. Public School. 1 . The belfry contains a bell, 17f ins. diameter, note A, inscribed: SOLI • DEO • GLORIA • MICHAEL • BVEGERHVYS • M • F • / 16ZO

The letterin ornamentae th d gan l border which appears abov inscripe eth - same t Logia tioth s s ena i e Coldston date XVIIactualls Th eL i e(P . 6) , y bele bees thire ha lTh th nschooe dt 1620. th len Z figurbu y o t tb ,la s i e the Kirk Session. The canons have been retained and they are fixed to 1 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, vi, 182. 2 Henderson, Aberdeenshire Epitaphs Inscriptions,d an 154. 3 Ibid., 160. THE CHURCH AND OTHER BELLS OF ABERDEENSHIRE. 103

iron a n headstock cast-ie Th . n crowne on w staplne s brokea e ha d nan has been fitted through the crown. When seen in 1956 the bell had been same painteth e b colou surroundingss o dt it s a r .

RUTHVEN t BreandanS . . 1 . The very large bird-cage belfry of the ruined church contains a bell, 20J ins. diameter, inscribed: 0 NERENVM • INSEIPSVM • DESOLABITVR • ANNO 1643 Above the inscription appears the border (PI. IX, 6) and below it there i sletterin e anotheTh plai s . i illustrates gi ra) d n , (PIan , IX .e , PIs da IX . and badly designed Roman in style. The inscription is obviously a blunder for omne regnun seipsun i m divisum desolabitur, namely "Every kingdom, divided against itself shall be brought to desolation;" an inscription which is though unique b bell a o t n eo . One single cano brokes ni bola d t nan throug e crowhth n replace. it s The lip has been slightly chipped and the upper ornamental border is turned ovee shouldere edgth th rf eo ; this border resemble usee Michaey on sdb l Burgerhuys at St Nicholas, Aberdeen, although much smaller. The tone is remarkably fine, the name "the Wow o' Rivan" being applied tols i belle dt I th tha . o t t about 1850 whe attempn na mads removtwa o et e "the Wow e kir f th Cairneyko o "t e inhabitantth , f Ruthveo s n wero s e enraged that it -was deemed advisable to allow the bell to remain where it was.1 The name of the founder is somewhat of a mystery, the borders have not been found elsewhere badle th d y designean , d letterin onls gi y approximately like that used by Cornelis Ouderogge of Rotterdam some years later. The bell may be one of his early products. The belfry appears to have been repeatedly strengthened and repaired and is perhaps unique, standing as it does, not on the apex of the gable but on a solid rectangular tower or projection from the centre of the wall.

ST FERGUS. 1. In a very graceful bird-cage belfry over the west end of the church hangs a bell, 17f ins. diameter, note B, which bears no inscription. The bell has a hand-bell type s verargeni d y an similat thoso t r t Drumblada e d an e Forgue. The headstock is dated 1836 and it is most probable that the bell, thif too o produce s ,i th foundr e dat d th f ean o t Jamef yo s Aberneth. Co y& of Aberdeen. belfre preserves Th ywa d fro mformea r church, originally buil 1616n i t , rebuil 176n i t agaid 3 an 1869n ni t bearI . e dat th sgooa e s i 164d d 4an exampl e simpleth f eo r e periodwor sideth e f plaie kTh o sar . n excepr fo t 1 Jervise, Epitaphs and Inscriptions in N.E. Scotland, n, 33. 104 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, 1957-58.

heave th y roll moulding outside th p su e corner pillarse th f so . Thera s ei small bascornicd ean shord ean t pinnacle r finialo s t eaca s h corner with one in the middle crowned by a large cock-vane. There is a triangular pediment over the east and west faces and a semicircular one over the north soutd an h faces. Thes inscribee ear shows da n below: East: HO/LINBS/BBCOMM/ETH THINE/HOV SLORDo / FOR EVER/1PSAL 93 : 5

West: DMR/IMR South: VERITA VINCIE S T Wshield)(a M 16 44 North petal6 a ( : design)I'DM In 1644, John Robertson was the minister here; 1 his initials and also those of his father David, who was also minister, appear on the west face.

SKENE t BrideS . . 1 . bird-caga n I e belfry ove smala r l middle gablsoute th th n ef i h eo side of barn-like building, hang singlsa e bell, 19-| ins. diameter, not sharpeF , inscribed: IOHN | MOWAT } OLD + ABD { ME § FE J TO { THE f KIRK OF | SKEIN 1735 PlatI showeXV ssectio a inscriptioe th bordere f no th d nsan abovd ean below it. The floral stop where it appears normally is denoted by J and wher t appearei s mutilate symboe d Th r .j. o .f denote § l recumbensa , ox t the trade mark of Peter Ostens of Rotterdam.2

SLAIN FORVIED AN S t TernanS . . smala mead n I an l n bird-cage belfry ove e weshangd th r en t bella s , lOf ins. diameter, 9f ins. high, note Gr, -which bears no inscription. A small bell—the smalles parisy an hn i t churc county—withoue th n hi t inscription, ornament, lines or moulding wires. It is somewhat long in the waist t waisbu , t rather straigh soundbod an t wcanone th small l sAl .hav e been either broken off or cut away; the argent or central boss is now used as a shank whereby the bell is attached to the headstock. The crown staple s broke rina s bee ha d gha n nan fitted throug e crowhth supporo nt e th t clapper. The surfacancienn a s eha t appearanc possiblbely e th l ma d olde eyb an — perhap 17te th hf so century t thi bu doubtful,s s i .

1 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, VI, 240. Eeles, The Church Bells of LinlUhgowshire. P.8.A.8., XLVH, fig. 8. 2 THE CHURCH AND OTHER BELLS OF ABERDEENSHIRE. 105

STONE YWOOD. Church. 1 . In the open spire hangs a single bell, 22f ins. diameter, inscribed: (On waist) ME MORIENS DICAVIT CAROLTJS ROSE/IN USUM ECCLESIAE LAPIDISILVAE A.D. MDCCCLXXIX/LOQUITUR REFUNCTOS/ (On soundbow) E PUDIM T LOVANII SEVERINUS VANAER- SCHODT The bel s profuseli l y ornamented e e bel, th th bot l n n propeho o d an r canonstone th fittingpoore s ei t Th bu , . s include whee headstocd an l r kfo swing chiming e Louvai th casbels e t a wa Th lt .n foundr f Severiyo n nva Aerschodt in Belgium.

STRATHDON. St Andrew. 1. The tower with spire contain bellsa f ins 19 , . diameter, inscribed: D THE GIFT OF JOHN EORBES ESQ- B OF NEW TO THE/CHURCH OF STRATHDON is 19 n n n n The lettering is very similar to that used by the Whitechapel Foundry, London, at that date, but the stop, which is like a cross-section of a flower, is not a stamp normally associated with this foundry. It is .possible that bele cass Hugth y lwa b t h Aberdeenf o Gordo . Co n& . One single canon is broken. John Forbes was born in 1743 and spent some of his life in Bombay. He died in 1821.1 . E . C . F STRICKEN. 1. A bird-cage belfry, dated 1799, over the west end of the church contains a bell, 17f ins. diameter, 13f ins. high, note A, inscribed: HENRIC* * HORSE KM R * TTE * FECIT * DAVENTRlffi * ANNO * 1633 * The inscription and borders are reproduced on PI. XVII, c. A fine bell, almost identical with that of Belhelvie but slightly smaller. The ornamental border e verar s y t ricratherbu h roug n partsi e h Th . lettering is poor and not very clear or regular. uppee Th rwaise parth rathef s i to t r more vertica soundbod lan wmors i e curved than is usual in Dutch bells. The stop appears on a bell at Grange, Banffshire, dated 1677, whic s otherwishi e destitut f ornamenteo alsd an ,o bele o nt th Kirkoswald la , Ayrshire, 1677.2 The canons and argent have been removed on some former occasion and the bell was again being rehung in 1956. Statisticalw Ne e Th 1 Account of Scotland, xn, 542. 2 Coll. Ayrs. A.S., Second Series , 235I , . 106 PROCEEDING E SOCIETYTH F O S , 1957-58.

STRICKEN. Town Hall. 1 . Hung between beams at the base of the spire is a bell, 31 \ ins. diameter, not , inscribedeC : . MEART F LONDOO S N FECIT isis (ornament) Cas Thomay b t s MearWhitechapef o I I s beard e "an l Whitechapesth l ornament," fig. 2, 6. B. .C 1912. F .

TARLAND t MathulachS . . 1 . e belfr Th f thio y s ruined church contain a bells , 15£ ins. diameter, inscribed: HUGH GORDON & Co 1772 A small bell on the English model. The lettering is of the ordinary Whitechapel type, but as the date is not from the sets used at Whitechapel t seemi s probable tha foundere th t s were copying thos bela Thomay n lb eo s figuree us thif o Janawat o s st kindap s Chelsef y.o wa o awh The moulding wires are 1, 2—2, 3—1 and one single canon is broken. The bell is cracked and disused. The original hangings and shouldered stock remain with a lever fixed in the centre, but when seen in 1956 the stock and clamps were much decayed. The bell then had no clapper.

TARLAND. New Church. 1. In the tower hangs a single bell, 23\ ins. diameter, weighing 2 cwt. 3 qrs. lllb., inscribed: J. TATLOR & C° FOUNDERS 1871. Moulding wires arranged 4, 4-4, 4-2. The bell has large angular canons and is very short in the waist. The fittings include a remarkably large and clumsy modern wheel. e south-westh t A t cornerbuildine th f vera o s gi y larg loftd ean y arch belfry like that at Tullynessle which was in use before the present tower spird an e were buil 1889n i t . . 1898E . C . . F

TARVES t EnglatS . . 1 . The plain bird-cage belfry contains a bell, 19| ins. diameter, note A, inscribed: . J WARNE SON& R S LONDON 1855 (on waist front) TARVAS SEPTEMBER/ 185 waistn 5(o rear)Royale Th Arms /PATENT E CHURCTH D OTHEHAN R BELL ABERDEENSHIREF SO 7 10 .

Kire Th k Session records contai numbena f referenceo r e predeth o t s- cessor of this bell. On 28th May 1732, it was decided to appoint a committee to consider getting a new bell, and on 4th June the elders were asked to collect money for this purpose. Under the date 13th July 1733 appears "Also a discharge from William Armstron d Davigan d Hodge Bell founderr fo s 46£ 2s. as the balance due to them for casting our Bell." David Hodge

t cas Mnian'bele S th tn li s Church, Leith, Midlothian 1738.n i , 1

TOUGH Nine Th e. Maiden t DonaldS f so . 1 . A small bird-cage belfry contains a bell, 19 ins. diameter, note A, inscribed: (Cross, PI.X (c)I , (coin) (coin)/(on waist) (Shield,X (d))I L P

mose Onth f teo interesting count e bellth probabld n si yan oldeste yth , being cas Williay b t m Culverde f Londonno s wil s dateHi i l . d 1522,d an 2 he was certainly working as early as 1508.3 The bell bears Culverden's foundry shield -which is in effect a rebus. The letterin eacn guppee o hth bele sidth n shiele ri lf th ehalo f do f reads "In dno co fido" and is a reference to Psalm XI, the first verse of which souly m , o Flet bira e s dey a reads y sa trusty w : m "Iho I Lor;e t nth dpu youo t r mountain. bire s showe bottodTh i "th n ni m right hand corner wit lettere hth s "de" above intendes i pigeoa t i ,e e b culver th no o d t d an r word Culverde t theothee no th n s n i n e rhar o sid th deriveo df t W eo e th ; shield standin r Williamgfo bele shiele lTh itsel.th n do f bear lettere sth s "Fond founderr "fo . The initial cross was an old one even when Culverden used it, and it appear belln so s cas Robery b t t Burfor Londonf do dieo 1418.n di wh , 4 The bell is now unfortunately cracked, though Dr Eeles on his visit in 1898 makes no mention of this condition applying then. Th emosa bels tha l interesting histor fro d followine yman th t wilgi e b l seen that Tough was not its original home. About 1700 David Wilson of Finzeauch presented a bell to the church,5 but in 1734 the parishoners sub- scribed for a new one, on the understanding that "they were to have the use of it (without paying anything to the officer) for themselves and their posterity at their several funerals, ay and so long as the said bell should last . . ." An arrangement was made with John Mowat, bell founder, Old Aberdeen, unde musid r ol whic e c suppliee th bell hh f o King'f so e don s

1 R.C.A.M., Scotland. The City of Edinburgh, 252. Haven Churche Th , Bells of Cambridgeshire, Second Edition . Wil44 , l given in full.

3z Deede d Walterssan Churche Th , Sells of Essex,. 38 ' Ibid.,. 14 5 Henderson, Aberdeenshire Epitaphs and'Inscriptions,. 26 , I 108 PROCEEDING E SOCIETYTH F O S , 1957-58.

College—Wilson's" bell and the bad money in the box" being taken in part payment. (Session Records.)1 It is clear from the above that the bell was one of those cast by order of Bishop Elphinstone for the great steeple of King's College, Old Aberdeen. The inventory of 1541 gives the inscriptions on the five great bells., and that

of 1542 3 notes tha addition i t five th 2 e o ngreat t bells there were five small bells for marking the middles of the hours with as many iron clappers and also two bells for daily use. This bell at Tough must therefore have been s know i e sol s th e lattea e s th r noni survivo f fa reo e o sevens th f d o r an , twelve bells which towebeine th 1542n n gi ri .

TOWIE. Established Church. 1. A bird-cage belfr a commo f o y n type, buil n 1803i t , contain a bells , 18 ins. diameter, note A, inscribed: (ornament) M: JAMES LUMSDE F CORACHEINO E

MINNISTEB/ATE T TOWIE/ 1743 Thomay B s Leste f Whitechapelo r , London s clearla ; y e showth y nb lettering and also by the use of the well known "Whitechapel ornament" beginninge th t a ,. fig6 , .2 double th f o ee canonbele on crackes s lTh i ha s brokend dclappean e Th . r originas e mouldini th d an l g wire arrangee sar , 1—2d2 , 2—1. Rev. James Lumsden, born 1704, died 1777 was minister here from 1740

till his death. A tombston4 e to his memory is in the churchyard.

TOWIE. Former Free Church. 0. The bell for this church was obtained form Grlenbuchat Castle, and .a

print of the castle, c. 1845, shows that the bell was then housed in an openin5 g high up in the walls by the south-west corner of the fabric. Subsequently it was transfered to the Free Church at Towie, and "when that church was disused for ecclesiastical purposes the bell was taken down and subsequently sold as scrap. Evidence about the bell is conflicting, one authority6 states that there finae wa th inscriptio o lt sn owne bu , it r n describeno t dthui s "an awfud ol ' bell, about a hundred years, with dates and writing on it."

Henderson, Aberdeenshire Epitaphs and Inscriptions, I, 26. Eeles, King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, 5. Ibid., 22 and 45. Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, VI, 142. W. Douglas Simpson Booke Th , of Glenbuchat, , fig. 23 .34 Ibid., 166. E CHURCTH OTHED HAN R BELL ABERDEENSHIREF O S 9 10 . TULLYNESSLE t NeachtanS . . 1 . modera n I n churc arcw ne h norte hbelfre th th f n ho "wes ye o sidd th f en te o hangs a single bell, weighing 2 cwt. 3 qrs. 6 lb., 23f ins. diameter, and inscribed: TAYLO: J CR& ° FOUNDERS 1876

Fro e Loughborougmth h foundry e previouTh . s bell seem o havt s e been only about a hundred years old and of no interest. A remarkably fine bird-cage belfry is preserved in the north-west corner of the churchyard: it has a saddle back roof, with pinnacles and rudimentary crochets and although dated 160 almos s 4i styl e centura th f eo n i t y earlier.

TURRIFF. St Coan. 1. In the double belfry over the east end of the ruined church hangs a bell, 18\ ins. diameter, inscribed: (on soundbow) V H 1556 See PI. X, b. A most remarkable bell; long-waisted wit hsmala l soundbo smald wan l crow slopind nan g shoulder which might almos describee b t a doubl s da e shoulder. The canons are small with reed mouldings, 4 ins. high and f in. sectionn i . single in bon 1 y;e cano s brokenni . pairo Therf tw o s e ear moulding wires below the shoulder and on the soundbow in the usual places, but the inscription is located on the soundbow—very unusual at this early date. The bell is not a very smooth casting and the lettering is very rough and badly cast; very unlike 16th-century Flemish bells, Englismore th f eo h type, Romae th t nbu letterin soundboe th d gan w inscriptio t see no hav mo t o nd e been used in England at this date. The bell may possibly be of local— perhaps Aberdeen—manufacture. Th e sprine canon heighe bele th th th o f lt gf o 14 s o tsi |clappee insTh . r bees ha n hung fro mbola t throug crowne hth . e belth l n initiale appea o those Th b H f Williao sV eo t r whosy mHa e graveston north-ease th n i s ei te church. sidth f eo 1 This describes a 2 m shi canoa Aberdeenf no , prebendar Turrifff yo stated an , s "where afte year6 3 r s happily spent in that office he died May 22, 1582, in the 82nd year of his age." Another reference 3 states that one William Hay was called parson her 1583n ei . restore churchs w presens wa ne it t yeare 4 o d,bu t Th3 th r n tsei fo bels lwa positio 182n i 8 whe ncloca purchases kwa publiy db c subscription.4 Statisticalw 1Ne Account of Scotland, xn, 989. 2 Jervise, Epitaphs and Inscriptions, n, 220. 3 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, vi, 271. 4 New Statistical Account of Scotland, XII, 992. 110 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, 1957-58.

bele Th l e southangth n hi s arch oa verf y beautifu ricd an hl double belfrbird-cage th f yo pillarex belfrtypee si s Th syha .abou ins2 1 t . square; the openings are 25f ins. wide by 31 ins. deep; the lower side openings are 9f ins 30y .b heigh|e insTh . t from cil cornico . 2lt ft | ins5 s ei . Eacf ho the wider openings has a double cusped head and the pillars are corbelled ease th tou n uppee wallo t Th .r side openings hav ecentraa l pillard an , e usuath ther e l ar etriangula r tympana over each opening. There ar e remains of pinnacles above each pillar and of a big one in the centre. On the south-west tympanum in raised letters is the inscription: M T M 1635 On the die below the southern half: Wshield)a ( E and on that below the northern half: 1635/• M/PARSO• Y T M • MA N One Thomas Mitchell was minister here in 1635.1

TURRIFF. NewChurch. 1. A very large arch belfry contain a bells , 30 j ins. diameter, weighing 6 lb. 0 cwt . , inscribedqr .1 :

TAYLOJ: POUNDER9 C R& S LOUGHBOROUGH 1875.

TURRIFF. Former Free Church. A bell, 15^ ins. diameter cas s thir fo wa t,s church wit inscriptione hth : PRESENTED/TO THE/FREE CHURCH TURRIFP/BY/ WILLIAM lNGRAM/FEUAR/1850 190n I Unitee hunbels e th 1 th wa l n g i d Free Church, Drumbladed an , closine onth thif go s churc Wese huns th hwa n g ti Church, Scone, Perthshire in 1944 a roughise bel s i Th l. h casting wit a hhand-bel l type argent; lettering rather irregula mucd an r h raised. . 1901E . C .. F TYRIE. St Andrew. 1. A large plain bird-cage belfry of the usual type over the west end contains a bell, 14f ins. diameter, 11 ins. high, note D, inscribed: PIETER SEEST AMSTELODATKH ANNO J77FECIE M 7 T 1 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, vi, 271. THE CHURCH AND OTHER BELLS OF ABERDEENSHIRE. Ill

The bell is said to be an old ship's bell; this may possibly be the case, although thernam o vessea n f s ei eo linscriptioe upoth belle d nth an , s ni like that on a church bell. However, the date is after the time when Dutch bells had generally ceased to be imported into Scotland, the bell is unusually mucs i smal d han l worn. Ther alss ei o evidenc . painf eit o n o t The letterin smalls gi , roug poord ornamente han th ; gooe sar them n di - selves relie w apparentld , lo bxi an f n i t y much wornbordee Th . r above eth inscription is of the floral running type repeated every 8 ins., one half being a mirror copy of the other. The border below the inscription is made up of alternate acanthulead an f s leaf designs, repeated every I f date insTh e. seems to be intended for 1773, but the 3 is badly broken.

UDNY. Christ Church. 2 . The tower contains two bells, inscribed: Treble ins2 2 , . diameter. CHRISTS KIRK OF THE GREEN UDNY mi. (fig. 2, 6.) Tenor ins6 2 , . diameter. CAS JOHY B T N WARNE SON& R S L™ LONDON 1895 The treble has the slightly higher note and hangs inside the tower, being used as a service bell. It was undoubtedly cast by Thomas Hears II of Whitechapel well-knowe th s a , n "Whitechapel ornament" appears after the inscription, fig. 2 6. The tenor is hung dead on the roof of the tower onls i clocyd e useth an striko r kt d. fo eon treble e successoth Th s ei a bel Johy f b o lr n AberdeenMowad Ol f o t . Logan'n I (18t. hsMS century followinge th s )i : 1 "The bell is cracked, and bears the inscription here given from a boy who went up to it at my request: Mr Robert Innes min. John Mowat, me fecit. Old Aberdeen 1744. In usum ecclesise de Udney. Sabata pango. Funera plango. ..." Robert Inne s ministewa s r here from 1722 tils deathi l n 1755.hi e Th 2 present church was built in 1821.3 F. C. E. 1907. 1 Henderson, Aberdeenshire Epitaphs and Inscriptions, 93. 2 Scott, Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance, vi, 206, 207. 3 Henderson, Aberdeenshire Epitaphs Inscriptions,d an . 94