The Michael Kirk, Gordonstoun

Built as a mortuary chapel for Sir Robert Gordon, 3rd Baronet of Gordonstoun who succeeded his father in 1688. Educated at St Andrew’s University, much travelled, well read and a keen amateur chemist he was soon looked on as eccentric. The Michael Kirk is reached along a path from Gordonstoun named the ‘Silent Walk’ as those attending worship were expected to walk there in silence.

One of the pillars at the entrance to the enclosure has a rude, vigorous carving of a bearded savage, seemingly in a loin cloth, standing on an upturned leaf, a club over each shoulder, a crude Ionic capital acting as halo. His twin can be seen top right on the 1705 Gordon memorial inside the chapel, one cudgel less.

The chapel was re-roofed and furnished as an Episcopal chapel for Lady Gordon Cumming in 1900. It was reconditioned for use by the School before the construction of St Christopher’s in 1966, though the congregation usually had to stand in the open! It is now used for small school services, family weddings and similar occasions. In the graveyard, the medieval Ogstoun market cross survives with some very fine tombstones.

Members of the Moray Burial Ground Research Group will be on site to point out the most interesting features.

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk