OS1/19/2/137

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
Supposed site of St Mary's Chapel Supposed Site of St Mary's Chapel Revd [Reverend] A. Fleming (Blairs College)
Mr William Duncan, Aberdeen. (late Treasurer of Police.)
004.06 "Neere to the bridge stood of old lykewayes a chappell dedicated to Mary as tutelar to this bridge, but her chappell is long Since taken away, yit the bridge is yit Standing extant." (Description of bothe Touns of Aberdeen Page 19.) (Gordon's 1661)
"In this age of Superstition, according to the custom of the time, the bridge was provided with a chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, erected on the north end, that travellers who passed and re-passed might have an opportunity of exercising solemn acts of devotion at the alter, of which Sir William Rae was chaplain." (Kennedys Annals Page 417-18.)
"This Prelate (Bishop Gavin Dunbar) who began his Episcopate in 1518 Soon proceeded with Spirit to the building of the Bridge. - The earliest date legible upon it is 1520, the latest of the first erection 1526. - And And that the passengers might have every accommodation for praying for Bishop Dunbar, a Chapel was erected on its north end." (Survey of Aberdeen by Archibald Courage) (Page 40-1)
The above Chapel is supposed to have Stood on the west side of the River Dee, on an elevated piece of ground, north of, and close to north end of the present Bridge. Not a vestige of the building is now to be Seen.
It is extremely difficult now to obtain any certain information as to it's site, but from the fact that there is a little enclosure, (not planted,) at the place indicated on trace, and that this enclosure stands on the Eastern side of the Bridge, I believe that this is the veritable site of this Chapel. There are no old Plans which show the site. -
[signed] E.H. Courtney CaptR.E. [Captain Royal Engineers.]
- Turn Over -

Continued entries/extra info

[page] 137
Banchory Devenick Parish -- Kincardineshire
-Turn Over -

Transcriber's notes

No further information on following pages.

  Transcribers who have contributed to this page.

Moira L- Moderator, GreenflyNZ

  Location information for this page.

  There are no linked mapsheets.