Eassie, Old Parish Church

Heritage listing

Date Added 01/11/1921 Last Date Amended 17/10/2002 Supplementary Information Updated 20/06/2018 Type Crosses and carved stones: cross slab, Ecclesiastical: church Local Authority Angus Parish Eassie And Nevay NGR NO 35252 47453 Coordinates 335252, 747453 — The monuments comprise the remains of a cross slab of Pictish date and Eassie Old Church. The cross slab is set within a modern protective shelter in the corner of the church and is in the care of the Scottish Ministers. The present rescheduling is to extend protection to cover the whole of the church. The cross slab is a Class II symbol stone and comprises an upright sandstone slab measuring c.2m high by c.1m wide by c.0.25m thick. On its front face, carved in relief, is a cross with two angels, an unmounted figure bearing a spear and shield, a stag, a hound and an unidentifiable beast. On the reverse in the top left corner is an elephant over a double-disc and Z-rod. Below these are illustrations of figures and cattle, and to the right the remains of a horseshoe above an elephant. All are typical motifs of the Pictish, or Early Historic period. The cross slab was moved to its present position in modern times, having been found in the bed of a stream in the 18th century. Eassie Church is rectangular in plan, measuring c.17.2 by 4.7m. The northern and southern walls stand to a height of about 2m and the gables are complete. The walls are c.0.8m thick. The church was dedicated in 1246 by Bishop David of St Andrews, and was granted to Newbattle Abbey in 1309. The church is thought to have been dedicated to the saints, Brandon and Fergus. Although still essentially in its medieval form, the church was probably extensively remodelled in the 16th century. The W doorway appears to be an insertion of the 18th century, sugges

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.