The Bell

The bell, which had been cast in the Old Aberdeen Foundry, was a gift from St. Machar’s Cathedral in 1798.  It is beautifully inscribed – as may be seen from the separate plaque in the vestibule – and the Aberdeen artist Mr Jackson Simpson did this work.

It is 30ins in diameter, 24 ins in height, note C, inscribed:

CAMPANA ECCLES CATHED ABD FLORENTE DO GEORGIO M D EPO, ANNO DO 1688 (rose and stalk)/SABBATA PANGO. SOLENNIA CLANGO FVNERA PLANGO. PAT KILGOVR FECIT. (rose and stalk)/(A leaf border 2ins high all round)

It is one of the most remarkable bells in the United Kingdom, and one of the two largest bells now existing that were cast in Aberdeen.  The bell is hung stationary between two beams, the clock strikes on the outside of the sound bow on one side and the bell is struck by a hammer on the other side when rung for service.  The clapper has been taken out and the bell now hangs quarter turned.   The inscription makes it plain that the bell was intended for the Cathedral and it may well have done service there for a hundred years or so before being transferred to Ballater.  Bishop George mentioned in the inscription was George Hamilton, D.D. who was born in 1627.