Boarhills Parish Church And Churchyard
Chapel (Period Unknown), Church (19th Century), Cist(S) (Period Unknown)
Site Name Boarhills Parish Church And Churchyard
Classification Chapel (Period Unknown), Church (19th Century), Cist(S) (Period Unknown)
Alternative Name(s) Chesterhill; Pitmilly
Canmore ID 34381
Site Number NO51SE 16
NGR NO 56190 13679
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/34381
- Council Fife
- Parish St Andrews And St Leonards
- Former Region Fife
- Former District North East Fife
- Former County Fife
NO51SE 16 56190 13679
In 1867 a stone cist was found 'in the interior of the new Chapel at Chesterhill, near Pitmilly. Of the precise origin of this little isolated churchyard there is no account, but it is the site of an ancient chapel, and the new edifice has very likely been built upon the old foundations. Close, therefore, to the spot where the ancient alter would have stood, was found a stone kist, consisting of several rude slabs, lying with the head to the west, and rather narrow for a skeleton of about 5 feet 7 inches, which lay extended within it. It is supposed to be that of a female, from the smallness of the bones generally. Nothing else was found near it, or about it'.
R Skinner 1870
(NO 5619 1368) The small church at Boarhills, the only nineteenth century church in the district, would appear to be the site concerned. No trace of foundations of a former chapel is visible, and local enquiries produced no further information.
Visited by OS (JLD) 22 October 1956
A cist was uncovered during grave-digging in Boarhills churchyard in 1953. It was reinterred without having been opened, and the exact site is not known, the grave digger having since died.
Oral information from Rev D McClellan, Boarhills Church to OS (DS) 15 October 1956.
The first edition OS 6" (1856) has the published entry "Grave Yard" at the position given by OS (JLD), while the current edition (1919) shows "Church" at the same position. This, taken with Skinner's reference to the "new Chapel" makes it seem likely that this is the site in question.
Visited by OS (CJP) 8 July 1957
Field Visit (2000)
Following on from work carried out previously (DES 1999, 45), surveys were made of several churchyards in Fife.
NO 5619 1368 107 memorials were recorded.
Reports have been lodged with Fife Council Archaeology Unit and the NMRS.
Sponsors: Fife Council Archaeology Unit, Fife Family History Society, RCAHMS.
S Farrell 2000.