A Diversion to Midlothian..

[endlessrarities]

Here, as promised, is a guide to the delights of Cockpen Old Parish Church and burial ground. 

The church itself has its origins in the 13th century, but according to the inimitable MacGibbon & Ross, very little of the original fabric remains intact.  I presumed that the windows in the East wall (see below) were medieval, but evidently the 13th century elements comprise little more than some ashlar masonry:-

 

This presumably means that the nice lancet windows are later additions, with the ashlar just visible to the left of the picture. 

Galleries were added at either end in the 17th century, with some evidence of the timber work visible below in the form of joist-holes:-
 

 

Some of the funerary monuments are rather fun, too.  This looks like a late 18th/early 19th century example, presumably commissioned for the grave of a carpenter (I thought the set square might signify a mason, but I'd reckon the axe/hatchet is a woodworking implement).

 

It's a fine piece of craftsmanship, marking the resting place of a man named 'Robert Rough'.  Sadly, the sandstone has eroded and delaminated, so much of the inscription is now lost.  Let's hope some enterprising antiquarian had the foresight to take a note of what it said before it was lost to the mists of time...

Another monument that caught my eye was this pleasant little table-tomb.  I like the carving - again it strikes me as being quite early, perhaps early 19th century in date.  I didn't loiter long enough to find out - it was 2.30 pm, I'd forgotten my lunch and I had a one and a half hour drive ahead to get home. 

 

It was a lovely little place, and well worth the visit.  And when I paid my respects, it was deserted, which made it even more satisfying.  Here's a more general view, just to give you a better idea of its setting.