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Montcoffer View, BANFF, AB45 1FS

A new house stands above the field between Duff House Woods and the A97 south-west of Banff. I wonder how long it will be before the field too becomes a building site?

This alien is quite scarce in Scotland, and the ones here have probably escaped from a garden and established themselves in Duff House Woods.

"About a mile south of Duff House, in a very peaceful location looking over the river, is a Mausoleum built in 1792 by the 2nd Earl Fife, initially for his parents, but now with possibly 21 residents, including the first five Earls". www.banffmacduffheritagetrail.co.uk/duff-house-mausoleum

This tomb on an outside wall of the Duff House Mausoleum is reputed to be that of Banff's Provost Douglas and was moved here from Banff Old Kirkyard. www.banffmacduffheritagetrail.co.uk/duff-house-mausoleum

About a mile south of Duff House, in a very peaceful location looking over the river, is a Mausoleum built in 1792 by the 2nd Earl Fife, initially for his parents, but now with possibly 21 residents, including the first five Earls. The sixth Earl – who became the first Duke of Fife – was buried at Mar Lodge on Deeside, another of what was the Duff family properties. The Mausoleum is a rectangular “gothic” building, with stone latticed windows and a slate roof. When a restoration was done in 1912, one of the reasons apparently was that the then stone tiled roof was leaking, and the slate roof was put on top to make it weathertight. Other work in 1912 included filling in the crypt. As you enter through the main door in front of you are three large stones in the floor which cover the steps that went down. There was then an aisle running left and right, with a total of 22 shelves, in pairs, for coffins. The only location known of any of the listed incumbents is the First Earl and his (second) wife Jean, who are in the north-easterly corner, looking out over the river. His son, James the 2nd Earl, had them brought to the Mausoleum from Rothiemay once the Mausoleum was completed. William the first Earl Fife never lived at Duff House in his lifetime – although he had it built – but has been here now for 228 years! A list of people buried in the crypt is incised in stone just inside the door; this lists 19 people. It does get a bit confusing because two other lists have been printed in history books, and all three are slightly different. If the lists are combined a total of 21 people are spending their time in the crypt. Monuments to many of them adorn the inside of the Mausoleum itself. The first Earl’s at the east end is made of Coade stone – refer to the separate “story” of 16-Sep-19 for more information. A number of excellent examples exist around the Mausoleum, but the first Earl’s tomb is marred by the crest at the top being damaged by rusting – and hence expanding – supporting metal work. Originally the windows were filled with coloured glass; years ago fragments could be found on the ground outside, and some remnants can still be seen in the stone tracery.

This elaborate building is almost lost among the surrounding woods, which makes it rather difficult to photograph. It was erected by James Duff in 1790, when he was raised to the rank of 2nd Earl of Fife. He moved the remains of his forebears here, including those of his father the first earl, who built Duff House. For full details see http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=21988 and http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/18468/details/duff+house+mausoleum+and+st+mary+s+well/

This elaborate building was erected by James Duff in 1790, when he was raised to the rank of 2nd Earl of Fife. He moved the remains of his forebears here, including those of his father the first earl, who built Duff House. For full details see http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=21988 and http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/18468/details/duff+house+mausoleum+and+st+mary+s+well/ Generally speaking, I am in favour of trees, but there are cases where the removal of a few would be beneficial, and this is one of them. It is all but impossible to get a proper view of the mausoleum, and the trees are so close that there must be a risk of them damaging the building.

The mausoleum was built in 1790 for the second Earl of Fife, to accommodate the remains of his family. I have seen it hinted at that he included some people he thought ought to be related to him, without any definite evidence that they were related. I wish the estate would undertake a little careful clearing of the trees that are getting too close to the building.

Most of the woodland is carpeted with Snowdrops, but for some reason this part has been planted with Winter Aconites instead.

A close-up of some of the swathe of Winter Aconites near the Duff House Mausoleum.