Scottish Pictured Headstone by Fiona Phipps

The description box wouldn’t let me add the following text, so I’ve put it here..... Pencil sketch. This type of headstone is unique to lowland Scotland. This particular one I found in the Auld Kirk in Alloway along with others just as intricate. Some parts of the Kirk date to the 1200’s, the present ruin from around 1516. The symbolism means roughly ....the skull and crossed bones....memento mori, remember that you will die. Hourglass...time passing, upright on the stone means he ran out of time naturally, on its side means he met his end before his time. The crown means “the crown of life” , immortality, righteousness, resurrection. The Fleur de lis stands for the trinity. The rest are tools of the deceased trade, in this case a blacksmith. The only thing I don’t know is what the two scroll thingys stand for.

Great sketch complementing your detailed history. Mediaeval history is fascinating.

Great sketch Fiona, and thanks for the explanation it made it very interesting.

A great bit of history Fiona, being from Scottish ancestry myself, I have gone back to Fraserburgh, to the 1600s and the information you get from the old Kirk documents is amazing with the wrath of God brought down on you for doing anything wrong, all there in the record's. This is beautiful work .

A very nice drawing Fiona and love all the information about - an amazing gravestone!

Great work Fiona and thanks for the explanation too. Very well sketched if I may say so.

Richard, Paul, Linda, Margaret....I find this kind of thing and the history, fascinating. I’ve got a few more and I’ve even found a couple in my local cemetery. Thank you very much for commenting, not everyone’s cup of tea. Lol

Hope my hourglass stays standing beautiful and informing Fiona

Thanks for the history lesson! A super drawing Fiona, a lot of work in this.

Isnt it remarkable what a set of images can tell you about a person Fiona? Nicely drawn and the story of it well told. Just glad that it wasn't an early dentist as those pincers/ pliers are scary. I was glad to spot the horse!

Thank you willie, very kind. Dennis, I hope your hourglass stays in the upright position for a long time to come. Thanks very much Alan, yes it took a while. Sarah, how are you? Hope you are still painting, long time since I saw a posting of yours. Thank you very much for taking the time to comment. It’s amazing the images on some of the stones, all different and telling a different story.

Great detailed, interesting info’ Fiona. Love the intricate sketching and the history behind it.

Awesome sketch Fiona and it is fascinating to read what all those symbols stand for!

I find this amazing Fiona not just the impressive drawing but that you have interpreted all the symbols for us. It makes it so much more meaningful. I would be interested to see some more especially with the information about the person. Well done

Thanks for the info and I really like the sketch

A remarkable sketch, Fiona and you would make a good history teacher - not boring at all.

Thanks very much for your wonderful feedback Carole, Anjana, Carol, Heather, Marjorie. I love history Marjorie but teacher? Nah!

What an interesting headstone and thanks for the information about the symbols. Your drawing illustrates it beautifully too.

Many thanks Diana, yes they are very interesting and decorative stones.

How fascinating thanks Fiona! Beautifully drawn too.

Thank you Carole, I find it morbidly fascinating...lol. Hope you’re okay?