Grotesque Head

Today's the day ....................... to look up

I was shown this face with pointy ears today, by a friend who is quite an expert on the history of the town of Kirkcudbright.  

It is on a stone archway that stands next to Greyfriars Church on Mote Brae in the centre of town.  Tradition holds that Fergus, Lord of Galloway, had a castle on Moat Brae in the twelfth century, although nothing above ground remains of this alleged structure.  Through the years the site has served as the location for the friary, parish church, as well as work houses and places of business. 

It is thought that the head may have come from nearby Dundrennan Abbey, a Cistercian monastery established around the same time by Fergus - but no one really knows.  Faces like this with pointy, cat-like ears seem to be quite common in mediaeval buildings.  

Here's one in Romsey Abbey, Hampshire which is a 3-D picture that you can move around .................