Mortlach Church, Scotland

 Introduction

This evening, I am focusing on historic Mortlach Church, Mortlach near Dufftown on Speyside. 

Information on Mortlach Church

Mortlach translates as ‘big hillock’.

The church is believed to be built on a very ancient and early Christian site dating back to AD 566 . This was when Moluag of Bangor established a place of worship here.

The earliest church dates from 1010 AD. This is contemporary with a battle in the area when the Scots secured a victory against a Danish force.

The building is aisleless and rectangular. Restoration occurred in 1870 and 1931.The adjacent burial ground has tombstones from the 17th-20th centuries. There are also two Pictish carved stones, one inside the church and other in the burial ground.

Class II Pictish symbol stone, located standing in the graveyard down the hill to the southeast of the kirk. 

 

 

Traditionally the above stone is thought to commemorate a victory in battle of Malcolm II over the Danes in 1010AD. This is why it is known as “the Battle Stone”. However, it is more likely date to c.800AD.
 
One side (of the stone) from the top shows two creatures facing each other with animal heads and fish bodies.Below is a cross decorated with spiral patterns.below is four-legged beast with a large head.
The other side from the top is an eagle, a snake, the head of a bull, a figure on horseback with a dog running below.

This site is just a short walk from Dufftown and should be visited.

More information for the visitor.

The publication, Visitors’ Guide to Scotland includes sections on Speyside and the Picts. This book is heavily illustrated and contains a wealth of information on Scotland and it’s history. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.

 

 

 

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