Midmar

Midmar is a historic settlement in Aberdeenshire, lying north of Banchory and southwest of Inverurie. It is noted for its three stone circles and various standing stones. Midmar and Sunhoney are both recumbent stone circles.

stone circle and church
Midmar Kirk and Stone Circle
stone circle
Cullerlie stone circle
tone circle
Sunhoney stone circle
standing stones
Standing Stones at Midmar

History

The name Midmar, formerly Migmar,[1] is of Pictish origin.[1] The first element is mig- meaning "bog, swamp" (c.f. Welsh mig(n)),[1] while the second is the district name Marr.[1]

Midmar is a largely rural community, and links to Midmar Castle and Midmar Manor House. The castle dates from the 16th century.[2] The current church dates from 1787.[3] The previous church, St Nidian's, was located over half a kilometre to the south and now forms part of a scheduled monument that includes a medieval motte known as Cunningar Motte.[4][5]

The oil boom in the 1970s created a temporary burst in building due to the village's proximity to Aberdeen.[6]

Stone circles

Midmar stone circle lies adjacent to the parish church. The 17m diameter circle features stones up to 2.45m high.[3] The stones have been described as "fang-like".[7] In 1914, the stones were disturbed by the construction of a new graveyard.[3] The circle was scheduled as an ancient monument in 1925 and 1970.[8]

Sunhoney stone circle lies slightly east of the village at Sunhoney Farm.[9] Cullerlie stone circle lies further east.[10] Sunhoney and Midmar are both recumbent stone circles whilst Cullerlie is thought to be a later version.[11]

The three circles are supplemented by other standing stones of similar date, scattered throughout the area. One example is a standing stone 100 metres north of the Midmar circle.[8]

Notable residents

Bankhead

Several hamlets are associated with Midmar. One of these, Bankhead, has a former free church chapel (now converted to a domestic residence) that is a category B listed building.[12]

References
  1. Watson, W.J.; Taylor, Simon (2011). The Celtic Place-Names of Scotland (reprint ed.). Birlinn LTD. ISBN 9781906566357.
  2. Historic Environment Scotland. "MIDMAR CASTLE. (Category A Listed Building) (LB16262)". Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  3. Welfare, Adam (2011). Great crowns of stone: The recumbent stone circles of Scotland. Edinburgh: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Momuments of Scotland. pp. 398–399. ISBN 9781902419558.
  4. Historic Environment Scotland. "ST. NIDIAN'S CHURCH MIDMAR. (LB16261)". Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  5. Historic Environment Scotland. "Midmar, Church, settlement and (Cunningar) motte (SM100)". Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  6. "BBC - Domesday Reloaded: EMPLOYMENT IN MIDMAR". Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  7. "Midmar Kirk Stone Circle Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland".
  8. Historic Environment Scotland. "Christchurch, stone circle and standing stone, Midmar (SM32)". Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  9. Historic Environment Scotland. "Sunhoney, stone circle 240m NW of (SM44)". Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  10. Historic Environment Scotland. ""Cullerlie stone circle", Standing Stones of Echt (SM90088)". Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  11. Welfare, Adam (2011). Great crowns of stone: The recumbent stone circles of Scotland. Edinburgh: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Momuments of Scotland. ISBN 9781902419558.
  12. "West Church, Bankhead". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 29 June 2023.

57.15°N 2.52°W / 57.15; -2.52

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