INTRODUCTION: Close by the banks of the River Don, not far from Manar House, lies the consecrated ground and secluded graveyard of the Gordons, which is the only part of the original estate that remains in Gordon hands.

"IN PERPETUITY": When the Gordon family put up for sale the Manar Estate, they reserved from sale the Polnair (Polinar) Burial Ground and 14 adjoining acres. This was the burying place of the Gordons of Manar and was to be held by their descendants "in perpetuity". No documents exist to indicate that this land was ever sold, and the present owner of the Manar Estate has confirmed that it does not form part of his title deeds.

FINAL RESTING PLACE: Visitors can still survey the gravestones of the Gordons, set amid the woods and ruins of the ancient Chapel of St. Apolinaris, a little east of Chapel Pool. Here were laid to rest the Gordons, as one by one they departed this life. These included Hugh Gordon and his wife Elizabeth, James Gordon and his wife Elizabeth, and their children James, William, Catherine, and Elizabeth. In all, nine Gordon children did not reach their twentieth birthday, two others dying before their thirtieth. The family endured successive heartbreaks which are recalled when you visit this sad little place.

THE HOUSE OF GORDON: However, a courage and resilience have always epitomised this family, for which reason the burial ground is also a place of affirmation of continuing family life. On the stone of James Gordon of Manar (1812-1874) are inscribed the following words from the Bible: