The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 2/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 2/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
Hence, as might be expected, the connection of the style of architecture
adopted in Scotland with that of England is at this period very
intimate, almost the only difference observable being that the first
pointed work in Scotland is rather later than that in England, and that
the Norman and transition features are more slowly rejected. We find the
same desire in both countries to render their principal ecclesiastical
structures complete and varied. We have no cathedrals in Scotland which
can vie with Salisbury, Lincoln, or York in size and magnificence, or in
the possession of double transepts. The Scottish cathedrals and abbeys,
however, were, for the most part, complete in all departments, having
choir and nave with side aisles (and, in the case of Elgin Cathedral,
with double aisles to the nave); a presbytery of one or two bays without
aisles, but with large windows on three sides; well-marked transepts
with eastern aisle; generally a large central tower over the crossing,
and frequently two western and other towers.
Great central towers over the crossing of the first pointed period
formerly existed at St. Andrews and Elgin Cathedrals, and at Dundrennan,
Arbroath, Holyrood, Kilwinning, and Dunfermline Abbeys, but of these not
a vestige now remains. The only central towers which now survive are
those of Glasgow Cathedral and Pluscardine Abbey, which are carried on
the arches of the crossing. There is also a central tower at Culross
Abbey which rises with solid walls from the foundation. The central
towers of Kirkwall and Dornoch Cathedrals have been rebuilt.
Of the other towers which once adorned our churches there still remain
the two noble western towers of Elgin Cathedral, and one of the western
towers of Holyrood Abbey. At both of these edifices the towers were
carried up with solid walls from the foundation. In other examples, of
which, however, only fragments survive, such as Arbroath and Kilwinning
Abbeys, the towers opened with arches into the central and side aisles,
so that the space occupied by the towers was included in the church. At
Kilwinning the arch in the towers next the nave appears to have been
carried to a great height, so as to form a kind of western transept. At
Inchmahome Priory there are remains of one western tower, which was
included in the nave. At Cambuskenneth Abbey a large detached tower
exists close to the west end, and at Lindores Abbey there are remains of
one western tower.
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