The above photo is of the original graves in the ruined Kirk of St Mary's of Kincardine O'Neil. The 3 duncan Headstones still standing are in the foreground. The Duncan Headstones were erected by Margaret Duncan from Canada, who sent the money to do so.
The wording on the central headstone reads:
1869 ERECTED to the memory of GEORGE DUNCAN, late farmer of Hindrum who died 10th November 1868 aged 83(?) years. Also his wife MARGARET WARRACK who died 7th June 1875 aged 84 years. Also William, son of George Duncan, farmer Hollandbush who died the 4th September 1855 aged 8 years. Also Margaret his daughter who died 5th January 1863 aged 17 years. Also Helen Dinnie, wife of William Duncan,joiner, Aberdeen, who died 1st July 1861 aged 31 years. Also his daughter Ann who died the 25 th February 1854 aged 8 mths.
Also of James, son of George Duncan Hollandbush who died 29th December 1869 aged 26 years. Also of his daughter Jane who died 20th February 1875 aged 20 years. Also of Jemima, daughter of Alexander Duncan, Farmer Craiglash who died 24 th march 1873 aged 12 years. Also his son Alexander who died 18 th December 1876 aged 29 years. Also of Margaret daughter of George Duncan late in Hindrum who died 29 th January 1879 aged 53 years. Also of his son George Duncan, late farmer of Hollandbush who died 26 th January 1884 aged 66. Also his wife Jane Robb who died 28th November 1886 aged 67 years .Also of Catherine
Duncan daughter of George Duncan, Hendron who died 6th February 1886 aged 31 years.
Gravestone in KIrkyard of Kincardine O'Neil in the shape of a Cross next to the main Duncan Headstone reads:
Errected by Jane Skerratt Duncan in loving rememberance of her husband George Duncan junr. Hollandbush d. 14 October 1882 aged 33. 2 lines of text.
"The old Kirk of St. Mary's was built into a rebend of Aberdeen Cathedral by gift of Duncan, Earl of Fife. The roof of the church was originally heather thatched until 1733 when it was burned out, when a villager shot a pigeon on the roof. It was replaced with slate. The old Kirk was refurbished in 1799 and extended in 1830, but finally abandoned in 1862 when a new church was built.
In past centuries, as in many other Scottish villages, the kirkyard of St. Mary's of Kincardine O'Neil was not so peaceful as it is today. Not only was it customary for the ministers cattle to graze amongst the graves throughout the summer, but on certain days within the kirkyard walls, there were riotious and noisy markets, attended by hundreds of people. The horses were tied to the walls or simply allowed to wander loose. Tents and booths were erected, vendors laid out their wares on the flat tombstones and even within the porch of the church.
A petition taken up in 1777 to abandon the fairs, stated that stealing, brawling, fighting and every indecency took place under the very shade of the church".
In past centuries, as in many other Scottish villages, the kirkyard of St. Mary's of Kincardine O'Neil was not so peaceful as it is today. Not only was it customary for the ministers cattle to graze amongst the graves throughout the summer, but on certain days within the kirkyard walls, there were riotious and noisy markets, attended by hundreds of people. The horses were tied to the walls or simply allowed to wander loose. Tents and booths were erected, vendors laid out their wares on the flat tombstones and even within the porch of the church.
A petition taken up in 1777 to abandon the fairs, stated that stealing, brawling, fighting and every indecency took place under the very shade of the church".