Exploring a Medieval Highland Churchyard

Recently our landlords gardener told Ken about a ruined church and graveyard that we would like (he knows us so well). Today we went looking for this church, in freezing temperatures and a pending snowstorm - we're sensible like that. After thinking we were never going to find it and roads getting covered with snow, we found it, Barevan Church.

It was very atmospheric seeing it in the snow. From what I've found online, the church stopped being used in the early 1600's and has slowly deteriorated over time. It's now a listed as a scheduled monument of historic importance.

As we walked around we could see footprints of someone who had been there earlier, and I think they were a giant as their footprints were enormous. Look how small my foot is in their print, and I've got large feet.

It's such a peaceful setting and as it's up back roads in the country there's no noise except that of nature.

Something I'd never done in my life was make a snow angel, so what better place to do it than in a medieval graveyard. Ken went first and I think he makes a spectacular angel whereas I'm hidden by my angelic assets. I was very excited at making my first ever snow angel.

A really lovely thing that I read online is that the local Cawdor Church holds a service in the ruins of Barevan Church once a year - we'll have to find out when that is as I'm sure it's a really beautiful occasion.

This tomb was in the annex next to the church which originally was the cold room for keeping bodies before the funeral - it seems someone may have escaped. Maybe that's where the big footprints came from.

Look at this sexy man carrying my handbag with such style.

There are some beautiful carvings on the headstones, well on the ones that weren't covered by snow - we'll have to go back in the summer to look at the others.

Next to the churchyard is a fenced off area that we could only see two graves in and in the middle there was a large stone ball. Mr Google has informed me that this new area is for the current family of Cawdor and the most recent person to be buried here was Hugh Campbell, the 6th Earl.

Around the ball are carved the words Lord Jesus Christ and son of God have mercy upon me and all who rest here.

There's also this very unique cross but there are no words on it.

One of these must be the Earl's grave, but we didn't want to brush the snow off as it looked too peaceful to disturb.

This is looking at the new area from the gates.

Here we are with a rugged up snowy selfie.

Looking across the countryside from the church.

On our drive home we passed a farm that breeds shire horses and these two lovelies came to say hello.

You'll be pleased to know that once we navigated the back roads back towards civilisation, we found a cafe and had a lovely hot drink to warm us up.

Until next time, be good, stay safe, and have a really wonderful week.

Pamela & Ken
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