THE MYSTERIES of the medieval masons, instrumental in creating some of the most cherished buildings in Angus and the Mearns, may be unravelled by a nationwide project backed by Historic Scotland.

Masons’ marks are among the most enigmatic features of the country’s medieval churches, castles and bridges.

They were the symbolic signatures which master masons cut into the stone wherever they worked.

But little else is known about the identities and life stories of these men who played such an important role in creating buildings from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.

In a bid to rectify that Historic Scotland has given support to a project aimed at recording masons’ marks in Aberdeenshire, Moray and Angus.

By creating a database including all the marks in these areas it is hoped it may make it possible to follow the movements of individual men as they moved from one building to another.

Edzell Castle and Arbroath Abbey are among the sites to be included in the project, which it is also hoped might solve some important archaeological riddles.

Historic Scotland senior archaeologist Peter Yeoman said, “Many medieval buildings are difficult to date, but masons’ marks can sometimes give valuable clues because the same ones may appear at a number of sites.

“If we know when the building activity took place at one of them, then that can help a great deal with the undated ones.

“However the evidence has to be treated with care as there may have been more than one phase of building. There is also debate about whether the same mark may sometimes have passed from father to son.

“The exact function of the marks is not yet fully understood, but was probably a way of showing who had done what so they could be properly paid.”

Aberdeenshire Council archaeologist Moira Greig added, “We are calling on local history and heritage societies to help us by searching out and recording masons’ marks at medieval buildings across the area.

“I am delighted Historic Scotland is helping out by waiving the entry fee at a number of properties for groups taking part in the project.

“We hope this project will help us to discover more about a group of people who gave us so much, but about whom there are few written records.”

Some groups have already started work and others have said they want to take part. If the project is a success it is hoped it might be rolled out elsewhere in Scotland.