Old St Bride's Church dates to the late 14th century. The Chancel survives as a ruin from this period while the tower was built in 1618. The church houses the tombs of the Douglas family and was renovated in the 1880s on the orders of the Earl of Home. The clock is said to have been gifted by Mary, Queen of Scots. The clock on the spire of Old St Bride’s Church is possibly the oldest working clock in Scotland. As far as it is known the workings are the original and having had a new wheel piece replaced in the last 100 years. The bell ropes are of course renewed when required. The clock, famous for its good timekeeping through the centuries, chimed three minutes before the hour in accordance with the Douglas motto “Jamais Arriere” meaning never behind.
The church, which is in the care of Historic Scotland, has two vaults below the floor of the church, although only the upper layer is now accessible.
Douglases buried here include:
- William, 1st Marquis of Douglas, died 1660, Countess of Angus, died 1623, the Marquis's wife
- Mary, the Marquis's 2nd wife
- Margaret, d 1660, the Marquis's eldest daughter
- Anne, died 1664, the Marquis's eldest son
- William, Earl of Angus, died 1694, the Marquis's 2nd son
Transferred from the new Parish Church of Douglas sometime after the renovations were carried out in 1880 were:
- Archibald, Duke of Douglas, died 1761
- Margaret Duchess of Douglas, died 1774
- Archibald, 1st Baron Douglas, died 1827
- Lady Lucy, died 1780, the Baron's 1st wife
- Lady Frances, died 1780, his 2nd wife
- Archibald, 2nd baron Douglas, died 1844
- Charles, 3rd Baron Douglas, died 1848
- James, 4th Baron Douglas, died 1857
- Williamina, died 1866, the 4th Baron's wife
- Sholto Douglas, died 1821, the 1st Baron's songe, died 1838, George, died 1838, the 1st Baron's 5th son
- Cospatrick, 11th earl of Home, died 1881
- Lucy, countess of Hume, died 1877
James, 2nd Marquis of Douglas and Archibald, Earl of Angus (d 1655) may also have been interred here.
The Cache is located outside the church yard across a small street, there is parking nearby. The cache is a magnetic nano so please bring a writing implement but if you forget, please feel free to provide a photolog. A sign in the churchyard tells you where you can obtain the key to the chancel: an arrangement which permits access, but which inevitably means you aren’t guaranteed access at all times. The area may be busy with muggles especially dog walkers. Unfortuantely, you don't get a good view if the church from GZ. Happy Caching
Congratulations to 3 kinnears to the FTF!
**************************************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.< /font>
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
*************************************