Midmar
Midmaris a historic settlement inAberdeenshire,lying north ofBanchoryand southwest ofInverurie.It is noted for its three stone circles and various standing stones. Midmar andSunhoneyare bothrecumbent stone circles.
History
[edit]The nameMidmar,formerlyMigmar,[1]is ofPictishorigin.[1]The first element ismig-meaning "bog, swamp" (c.f.Welshmig(n)),[1]while the second is the district nameMar.[1]
Midmar is a largely rural community, and links toMidmar Castleand Midmar Manor House. The castle dates from the 16th century.[2]The current church dates from 1787.[3]The previous church, St Nidian's, was located over half a kilometre to the south and now forms part of ascheduled monumentthat includes a medievalmotteknown as Cunningar Motte.[4][5]
The oil boom in the 1970s created a temporary burst in building due to the village's proximity to Aberdeen.[6]
Stone circles
[edit]Midmar stone circle lies adjacent to the parish church. The 17m diameter circle features stones up to 2.45m high.[3]The stones have been described as "fang-like".[7]In 1914, the stones were disturbed by the construction of a new graveyard.[3]The circle was scheduled as an ancient monument in 1925 and 1970.[8]
Sunhoneystone circle lies slightly east of the village at Sunhoney Farm.[9]Cullerlie stone circlelies further east.[10]Sunhoney and Midmar are bothrecumbent stone circleswhilst Cullerlie is thought to be a later version.[11]
The three circles are supplemented by other standing stones of similar date, scattered throughout the area.[citation needed]One example is a standing stone 100 metres north of the Midmar circle.[8]
Notable residents
[edit]- ProfJ. R. U. Dewar(1850–1919), principal of theDick VetSchool inEdinburgh
- RevJohn Ogilvie (poet)(1733–1813)
- John Ligertwood Paterson(1820–1882), medical doctor known for work inBahia,Brazil
Bankhead
[edit]Several hamlets are associated with Midmar. One of these, Bankhead, has a former free church chapel (now converted to a domestic residence) that is a category Blisted building.[12]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcdWatson, W.J.; Taylor, Simon (2011).The Celtic Place-Names of Scotland(reprint ed.). Birlinn LTD.ISBN9781906566357.
- ^Historic Environment Scotland."MIDMAR CASTLE. (Category A Listed Building) (LB16262)".Retrieved28 February2019.
- ^abcWelfare, Adam (2011).Great crowns of stone: The recumbent stone circles of Scotland.Edinburgh: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Momuments of Scotland. pp. 398–399.ISBN9781902419558.
- ^Historic Environment Scotland."ST. NIDIAN'S CHURCH MIDMAR. (LB16261)".Retrieved28 February2019.
- ^Historic Environment Scotland."Midmar, Church, settlement and (Cunningar) motte (SM100)".Retrieved28 February2019.
- ^"BBC - Domesday Reloaded: EMPLOYMENT IN MIDMAR".Archived fromthe originalon 24 November 2017.Retrieved23 December2019.
- ^"Midmar Kirk Stone Circle Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland".
- ^abHistoric Environment Scotland."Christchurch, stone circle and standing stone, Midmar (SM32)".Retrieved1 March2019.
- ^Historic Environment Scotland."Sunhoney, stone circle 240m NW of (SM44)".Retrieved1 March2019.
- ^Historic Environment Scotland.""Cullerlie stone circle", Standing Stones of Echt (SM90088) ".Retrieved1 March2019.
- ^Welfare, Adam (2011).Great crowns of stone: The recumbent stone circles of Scotland.Edinburgh: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Momuments of Scotland.ISBN9781902419558.
- ^"West Church, Bankhead".British Listed Buildings.Retrieved29 June2023.