The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 1/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 1/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
It is generally supposed that the imperfect work of the upper portions
of the walls is of thirteenth century date, but it is more probably much
later. The irregular and inferior workmanship alone seems to prove that,
and the windows are of a form which might belong to any date. The
sconsion arches are not unlike those of the church at Rothesay, which is
not earlier than the end of the fifteenth century.
DALMENY CHURCH, LINLITHGOWSHIRE.
This edifice is the completest of our Norman parish churches, consisting
(Fig. 251) of a chancel with eastern apse and a nave or main building,
separated from the chancel by an elaborate chancel arch. As usual in
parish churches of this period, there are no aisles. Although the above
divisions are complete, the church has not entirely escaped alterations
and additions. On the north side projecting wings have been added, which
contain a gallery and a north porch, and staircase leading to the
gallery. The south front and east end are, however, almost untouched,
and show the work of the twelfth century, uninjured save by natural
decay.
The church stands beside the quiet and pleasant rural village of
Dalmeny, about one mile inland from South Queensferry, and about eight
miles west from Edinburgh. Little is known of its history. A charter is
signed by Robert Avenel, “parson of Dumanie,” about 1166-82, and in the
thirteenth century, during the reign of William or Alexander II., the
church was granted to the monks of Jedworth. It is believed to have been
dedicated to St. Adamnan,[170] and the fact of the neighbouring church
of Cramond being dedicated to St. Columba tends to confirm this belief,
as it has been pointed out by Dr. Skene that these two saints’ names
are generally found together in the dedication of churches.
The edifice consists of a nave 42 feet long by 18 feet wide, with a
projection in the south wall, which contains the doorway. It has three
small windows in the south wall. In the interior of the south wall there
is a recess, now linteled over, which may have contained a monument.
[Illustration: FIG. 251.--Dalmeny Church. Plan.]
From the rough nature of the masonry at the west end of the nave, a
tower would appear to have been intended to be built there. Part of the
commencement of its side walls exists, and into these the two buttresses
shown on Plan have been toothed or joined at a later period.
The nave (Fig. 252) opens to the chancel with a splendid chancel arch,
having three orders decorated with elaborate chevron ornaments, enclosed
with a hood moulding carved with an enrichment somewhat resembling the
dog-tooth (Fig. 253). The soffit of the arch contains a similar faceted
enrichment. The arch is carried on three attached shafts on each side,
built in ashlar, and provided with subdivided cushion caps and plain
bases.
[Illustration: FIG. 253.]
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