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The morthouse, Udny Green

In the early 1800s, corpses were in demand for dissection in anatomy schools. Body snatchers (resurrection men) supplied the demand by stealing fresh bodies from their graves. Morthouses, immensely strong buildings, were used to store bodies until corrupt and of no value to the anatomists. The one at Udny Green is unique. It is circular, constructed of granite blocks and has inside a turntable on which coffins were placed. By the time a body had gone full circle it was too rotten to be of interest. The opening is guarded by an inner iron door which rises vertically from a pit, and a stout outer door of oak.