Christ's Kirk, Rathmuriel, Kennethmont

Grid reference

NJ 605 268 (accurate position)

Six-figure easting & northing

360500 826800

Latitude

57.330231474123636

Longitude

-2.656120169496767

Altitude (metres)

205

County

Aberdeenshire

Nearby places

Rathmuriel, former parish, Kennethmont (0 miles)

Christkirk, settlement Kennethmont (0.09 miles)

St John's Well, Insch ABD (0.75 miles)

St John's Chapel, Insch ABD (1.06 miles)

Leslie, parish (1.45 miles)

Object Classification

Antiquity

Ecclesiastical

Is linear feature?

No

Notes

The church is now in ruins. It belonged (from the late twelfth century) to Lindores Abbey. Until about 1758-9 an annual fair, called Christ's fair or The Sleepy Market, was held at night on the green which encircles the church (OSA). OS 6 inch 1st edn shows the 'Old Market Stance' at NJ603270, while the story explains the place-name Sleepytown on modern OS map at NJ609271. Macdonald (PNWA, 102) says 'At Christ's Kirk .. an annual fair was held in the month of June, which was known as "Christ's Fair". More commonly it was called the Sleepy Market, because it began at sunset and terminated one hour after sunrising. Latterly it was a scene of all manner of wickedness, and had become such a scandal that the country demanded its suppression. It was discontinued about the middle of the last century' [i.e. the mid-eighteenth century].

Relationships with other parishes

Within Kennethmont, parish

Within Rathmuriel, former parish, Kennethmont

Relationships with other places

Adjacent Christkirk, settlement Kennethmont