Description

Alexander Smith, Cullen, 1884-6. Cruciform Gothic church,
orientated E/W; sneck coursed tooled ashlar, tooled and
polished ashlar dressings.
Centre entrance in E gable, pointed-headed doorpiece with
paired round-headed entrances with trumeau and inscribed
tympanum, long flanking Y-traceried windows; further large
hood-moulded window above with ornate tracery incorporating
intersecting CS; 3 similar windows elsewhere with ornate
tracery incorporating S for Seafield. Lattice-pane glazing.
Further entrance in E gable with flanking windows; doorway
in E elevation of S transept in slightly advanced and gabled
porch. Arcaded corbelling supports bellcote at N gable apex
with nookshafts, cusped detailing and apex ball finials;
various buttressing; slate roof.
Interior; lofty interior with braced timber roof with
drop pendants, springing from bolection moulded corbels.
Seafield gallery at E, front carved with Lord's prayer; no
seating survives. Ornate octagonal pulpit at NW angle of
crossing with re-used German carving dated 1629 rises from
slender octagonal plinth; stylised foliage and
fruit, banding, scroll and beaded borders, some deep with
further carved leaf and acorn designs. Front panel depicts
Nativity under raised head with double eagle crest and motto;
narrow pedimented backboard incorporating cupboard door,
flanking caryatids, cross and 1639 date.
Similar carving (also dated 1639) re-used in narrow mural
clock at SW angle of crossing.
Large, fine 17th century series carved panels incorporated
below gallery and with later base mounted on wall depicting
series of coats of arms of 8 Highland or NE families,
with lower panels of stylised flowers and geometric patterns,
with carved texts on rails and further stylised carving
on muntins.

Statement of Interest

Ecclesiastical building in use as such. Superseded Church of 1803 on same site. Built by Caroline, Dowager Countess

of Seafield in memory of her husband and son 7th and 8th

Earls of Seafield. Ornate scroll window tracery incorporates

initials of 8th Earl in E window (ICOGR) 7th Earl in N

window (combination of S) and CS in W window (Caroline Stuart

or Countess of Seafield. At Countess' request (1912) no

other memorial to be erected in church Pulpit said to

"have been formed from a valuable piece of elaborate old

carving from Castle Grant'. Large panel below gallery

found by Earl of Seafield at Shillochan, Duthill in 1874.

Measures 9'2" x 6'; records "Cumin of Alter, Caddel of that

Ilk, Lesly of Balquhy, Lumsden of Cusni, Gordon of

Hun(tly?), Ros of Kilraak, Grant of Aucher (nach?), Forres

(tie)".

Thought to have come form (former) Duthill church.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17829538

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)