7. Whitehill Aisle – the burial plot

St Kentigern’s was the parish church for Carrington village. Founded in 1243 by Sir Andrew Ramsay of Whitehill, it was used as  the traditional burial ground for the Ramsay and Wardlaw Ramsay family members.  The church was demolished in the 17th century but the cemetery and family burial site were preserved by building a circular stone wall around the enclave.  The Ramsays built a mausoleum within the ruined church and the then Sir Andrew was buried in it in 1715. Towards the end of the 19th century, the vault was emptied, and all the coffins were re-interred in the plot. The names of the family members are inscribed on a panel set against the wall of the former apse. The roof of the mausoleum was repaired by Euphan Hanbury Tenison, the last of the Wardlaw Ramsay ilk, and her grandchild Isaac can be seen strimming the grass in the burial plot.

The stones that constituted the medieval church were conveyed to Carrington and used to build the rubble walls of the Rosebery / Primrose kirk in 1701.  The walls and gatehouse are particularly interesting in this respect. Sir Andrew Ramsay contributed towards the expense of building a new kirk. Sadly, the new church is no longer in use, and is now an office.

Mary Wardlaw Ramsay is buried in front of the plaque which lists

all the Ramsays who were laid to rest inside the mausoleum (right)