R.I.P

The canopied tomb of James Ogilvie of Deskford and his son in the roofless chancel of Fordyce Old Kirk. James died in 1509, 4 years after his son. He is depicted in detailed armour complete with a short sword and rather touchingly his faithful hound lies at his feet.

The tomb is brightened by dandelions and spleenwort growing from niches in the wall behind it - elsewhere the wall supported clumps trailing ivy-leaved toadflax with tiny snapdragon flowers and there were speedwells in the grass.

It was bitterly cold.