One of the aims was to launch Tiger's raft... which went very successfully! We happened to be walking 'up' the river when we launched it (and walked a different way home) so didn't actually see where it ended up, but we're hoping it got as far as the North Sea!
 |
| A wild iris! Never seen one grow wild before, or yellow! |
The other aim was to find Newseat of Manar and St Apolinaris' Chapel and Burial Ground, which the friends we were with assured us could be walked to if we just continued up the river. I have to say had we been alone we'd have given up far earlier due to the long grass, copious amounts of nettles and thistles, and somewhat doubtful 'path', but apparently the greenery had just sprung up in the last week thanks to all the rain following the brilliant sunshine.
 |
| Mural monument and tomb of James Gordon of Manar (d.1874) |
The first church of Inverurie, mentioned about 1190, was that of Rothael, otherwise called St Apollinaris' Chapel and now known as Polnar's Chapel (which totally explains why Polinar Dam, just up the road, is called Polinar dam! I love when things come together...). The foundations of the chapel lie on a knoll and measure internally about 32 feet by 16 feet though the site is now a private burial ground for the family of Manar, whose grand house can be seen if you continue on the road towards Burnhervie.
 |
| Two headstones engraved EF.1662 and PF.1666 |
By the time we headed through a field and back up to the road from the chapel (I'm not sure anyone could face those nettles again!) we were basically more than half way home, but since we'd left the car at our friend's we headed back with them. I'd definitely plan to do the route again, though maybe in winter, and just head back through the Davah woods and home, but that's another good local route discovered!
No comments:
Post a Comment