Ratho Kirk

This church dates back to before 1243.
You can see where the chain used to ring the bell has cut into the stonework over time.

I was down there with No1 son this morning to photograph the undeside of the coffin gravesone which (it was fairly recently discovered) has a figure carved underneath.
It was thought to be a 'Greenman' (a pagan symbol) and was there because the minister (whose grave this is meant to be) was not best liked.

However, as you can see, the body looks almost as if it is an oriental warrior in his armour. The head looks as if it is in a bag tied at the top - although that may be a representation of the hair pulled up and ied on top of the head. Unfortunately, the head is fairly well hidden by the stone support and you can't really see any facial features that may be there.

I also shot some carved headstones.

On our way home we stopped to see if we could visit Jupiter Artland..... but it was closed.
So I had to satisfy myself with taking shots of the gates.

I will visit another day.