Fascinating Gaelic Gravestone Inscription

[Calgacus]

I did wonder if 'MAIDHGHEADH' was the same as 'Meagaidh', as in the mountain 'Creag Meagaidh', which means 'crag of the bog land'. I wasn't at all sure how that fitted in with the inscription however if Monzie (Maigh Eadh) means 'bog land' that would explain it!

A few things stand out. Firstly, the clan motto takes pride of place at the head of the inscription. It's the late 18th century and the clan system has been destroyed, but this person clearly identifies strongly with his clan.

Secondly, Monzie is not the world's biggest place, but there was enough of a community to support a (wheel?)wright/carpenter, and he made enough of a living to afford to commission a fairly impressive headstone for his departed loved ones.

Thirdly, his daughter was born when his wife was aged nearly 40. It's a fair guess that this was not their first child, and there were probably a fair few older siblings.

Fourthly, his wife died aged 53. By modern standards this is young, but in pre-industrial Scotland it was probably a fair innings.

Lastly, and most sadly, his daughter did not fare so well, living a mere four years on this earth. This brings home the high infant & child mortality of the time, before modern medicine.

The headstone gives a fascinating glimpse into life in Perthshire at the edge of the Highland Line at the end of the 18th century. It is in some ways idyllic, Monzie is a beautiful fertile place, and it appears that Donald McGregor and his family did OK for themselves. On the other hand, life could be arbitrary and brutal at times, hence the warning 'MEMENTO MORI'- REMEMBER DEATH! Urging us to consider the vanity of earthly life and the transient nature of all worldly goods and pursuits.

On the other hand you could reflect upon another old Scottish saying- 'Ye're a lang time deid!'