St Machar's Cross, Aboyne

NO 5032 9988 by Dykehead, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. From Canmore ID 35288: 'St Muchrieha's or Mochrieha's (Scott 1918) Cross - a cross-incised stone standing on an earthen mound, on the SE periphery of which is St Muchrieha's or Mochrieha's (Scott 1918) Well. A large stone with an artificial hollow stood near the cross and was known as the saint's chair - "Cathair Mochrieha" (Scott 1918). The well was an excellent perennial spring which was formerly encased in masonry which had been removed by 1865. The saint's "chair" was broken up and removed for building purposes about 1810. Watson (1926) gives the derivation of Muchrieha as "Mochridhe" - "my dear one". Scott is the only authority to associate the name with "Machar" which replaces it on the 2nd edition 6".' Recent forestry work in 2022 to remove storm damaged trees has resulted in mature undamaged trees surrounding the Cross Stone having been removed and significant damage caused by deep heavy machinery tracks around the stone and St Machar's Well.