St Mary’s Chapel, Rattray – Historic Church Photography in Aberdeenshire

Tucked away in the Buchan countryside near Rattray, St Mary's Chapel is thought to date back to around 1214, making it one of the older surviving ecclesiastical ruins in the north-east of Scotland. Its weathered stone walls are a reminder of a time when this part of Aberdeenshire was a more substantial centre of local life.

These photographs focus on the texture of the stonework and the way the structure sits in the landscape — collapsed in places, but still carrying the proportions and form of a medieval chapel. The site has an unrestored quality to it that sets it apart from more managed heritage locations.

This visit forms part of an ongoing project documenting historic churches and chapels across Scotland, many of which sit quietly in the landscape with little formal recognition. For more church photography, see the Places gallery and the dedicated church posts in the blog.

Former Kirkton of Craig, Parish Church — Drone & Church Architecture, Scotland

Craig Parish Church stands alone in the countryside, built in 1799 and now converted into a residence, yet still holding architectural character. Flying my drone here aimed to capture its Gothic Revival form, the tower, nave, and surrounding grounds under sky and light.

Designed by Richard Crichton, associate of Robert Adam, this church was one of the earliest examples of the Gothic Revival in Scotland. Its aisled nave and west tower overlook Montrose Basin, and though it’s no longer used for worship, its stonework, proportions, and grounds retain much of its original dignity. The photos show textures in weathered stone, window tracery, rooflines against sky, and its setting in small, quiet grounds. Light plays across the façade — shadows in window recesses, the tower’s silhouette against open air, and the contrast between ancient masonry and the modern skies overhead.

Buildings like this remind me why heritage architecture is a steady theme in my work. For more church architecture and monument photography, check my Places and Drone galleries.