Sunday, January 21, 2018

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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10 comments:

  1. Just popping by to say I still adore your cemetery travels!

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    1. Thanks Stephanie, you would have loved this one.
      Have a great week.

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  2. H Pam - amazing find ... I'd love to visit - but so glad you made the snow angel - I think I'd have done it at home... so I could very quickly warm up! But quite understand why you chose a medieval church area ... gorgeous shots - cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks Hilary. As I'd never done a snow angel, I'd not really appreciated how cold I would get - I thought my hands were going to drop off.
      Have a lovely week.

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  3. Pamela,

    Fabulous! What an adventure!! I'd love to see your English countryside with these hauntingly beautiful old castles. This is something we don't have in the states. I wish I weren't such a chicken of air travel and I had oodles of money to see faraway places but since these two stumbling blocks are stopping me then I'll have to enjoy views from the comfort of my home. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I'll have to keep finding places for you to enjoy from home Cathy. Glad you like this post.
      Have a really lovely week.

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  4. Hubby and I would have loved to enjoy this with the two of you. Always fun to explore.

    I would have loved on those horses on my way by as well.

    Have a fabulous day. ♥

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    1. I always stop and speak to horses if they're near the fence - such beautiful creatures. Though I tend to speak to any animal I come across.
      Have a lovely week.

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  5. That looks like a nice day. I like the snow angels you made.

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    1. Thanks Ellen, another thing ticked off my list of things to do in this country.
      Have a lovely day.

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