Description
Substantial cemetery comprising a series of areas enclosed by random rubble walls, with old churchyard to NE, bounded by later cemetery to S and E, with early 20th century addition on hillside to SW, containing outstanding range of gravestones. Gateways between yards with square stugged ashlar gatepiers with pyramidal caps. Watercourse to S with rubble retaining walls and round-arched bridge over.
ENTRANCE GATES: Later 19th century gothic ashlar entrance gatepiers comprising bases to square shafts, caps gabled to each face with incised trefoils and surmounted by crossed rigs with fleur-de-lys profile. 2-leaf wrought-iron principal gates, flanking pedestrian gates and flanking square stugged sandstone piers with pyramidal caps.
ANCIENT CARVED STONES: Adjacent to entrance gates are 3 ancient carved stones, (Scheduled Monuments) including Early Christian unshaped stone re-erected on concrete base, tapered to base with wheel-cross carved on front and incised outline cross on back. Adjacent are shafts of MacEachern's and Cristin's medieval crosses; latter in 2 fragments cemented together and erected on modern base, with foliaceous and plaitwork carving, on side man and woman and warrior on horseback are depicted, and dog on other side. Cristin's cross depicts figures, galley, beasts and foliaceous carving.
N GRAVEYARD: N wall of yard extending to W from entrance gate, lined with headstones and enclosures including; sandstone ashlar classical memorial of circa 1890 to MacMurchy family, tripartite in form with pilasters dividing bays, centre bay slightly advanced with curvilinear pediment above. Ornate, gabled and crocketted cast-iron gothic memorial with sandstone slab dated 1857 and inscription to Rev John Mactaggart in memory of Alison Murray. Egypto-classical sandstone ashlar memorial of 1857 to William Barton comprising 3 tapered headstones, bearing marble slabs, on common base, each pedimented with anthemion cresting. Classical grey granite memorial of 1872 to John McNaughton of Killellan, ashlar coped enclosure surmounted by cast-iron railings with anthemion finials. Classical droved ashlar memorial of 1909 to Alexander Fleming comprising rectangular base to Tuscan columns flanking pink granite slab, and supporting semicircular open pediment with strapwork in tympanum and urn at apex. Nearby, large grey granite obelisk of 1879 to Jean Macalister Hall, with incised Grecian decoration and grey granite enclosure.
OLD CHURCHYARD: to W; central path flanked by enclosures, random rubble walls with ashlar copes and variety of decorative cast-iron railings, some with inscriptions on marble plaques. Enclosure to Lamb family with dwarf wall and iron grated roof. Further enclosures stretching along crest of hill to E, including; Random rubble coped enclosure to MacEacharn monument, high wall to rear with sandstone panel dated 1715 at centre flanked by fluted pilasters and with winged cherubs head superimposed on frieze. Stewart family enclosure, dated 1878, deep ashlar cope to dwarf wall surmounted by Gothick cast-iron railing, memorial at rear comprising 3 round-arched marble panels with inscriptions, frieze and cornice above surmounted by curvilinear pediment with floreate carving to pediment and flanking urns (left urn missing). Enclosure to MacFarlane family immediately comprising random rubble dwarf wall with ashlar cope and wrought-iron railing. Classical pedimented memorial at rear with architraved marble panels. To W,
19th century Celtic cross to Campbell of Kildalloig with foliate and animal carvings, and ashlar coped enclosure.
To N, Strichen's Tomb (also known as the Mystery Tomb) ashlar block construction, corniced square base, barrel-vaulted interior accessed by round-arched opening with keystone, elongated pyramid over base with bolection-moulded frames to blank panels on each face.
Variety of gravestones, recumbent slabs and enclosures mainly from 17th century onwards around site of former kirk (remains no longer visible) including small headstones depicting figures, tools, animals, and classical motifs. Random rubble enclosure (without railings) comprising dwarf wall with ashlar cope, table slab at centre commemorating Rev James Boes. Polished grey granite memorial slab dated 1904 to James Macalister Hall of Tangy and Killean, mounted on corniced pedestal of stugged grey granite with sandstone ashlar dressings, cast-iron railings to enclosure.
S GRAVEYARD: Later graveyard to S with variety of 19th and 20th century headstones; the finest, an Egypto-classical memorial to Jessie Eliza Weir, dated 1908, of tripartite form with higher centre bay surmounted by frieze with anthemion carving, cornice and block pediment above. Nearby, modest sandstone and white marble headstone to Henry Edward Clifford, architect, 1932.
SW GRAVEYARD AND WAR MEMORIAL: On hillside to SW, formally laid out war memorial accessed by ramped terracing. Memorial comprises tapered Portland stone cross, with superimposed sword, standing on stepped octagonal base. Flanking segmental-headed headstones to servicemen on terrace below.