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
It is quite possible that the present farmhouse is on the site, if it
did not form a part, of the north-west corner of the cloister. To the
north of this house there still remains a portion of the old granary,
now part of the modern farm-steading. It contains two doorways, one with
a splayed and pointed arch, and the other much wider, having a rounded
top. The west gable, as seen above a modern roof, is constructed as a
dovecot with nests, similar to what is found at Cambuskenneth. On the
skew putt at the north side of the gable there is a coat of arms (Fig.
907), two bars embattled. There is no known coat quite similar to this.
A richly moulded and embattled finial terminates this gable, but it is
broken and mutilated. Another coat of arms, built into the modern walls
of the farm-steading, and shown by Fig. 908, is also unknown, as
likewise are the initials.
[Illustration: FIG. 907.--Balmerino Abbey. Arms on Skew Putt of Barn.]
[Illustration: FIG. 908.--Balmerino Abbey. Dormer in Farm Building.]
[Illustration: FIG. 909.--Balmerino Abbey. Figure of Ecclesiastic.]
[Illustration: FIG. 910.--Balmerino Abbey. Figure in Armour.]
To the east of the chapter house, at a distance of about 90 feet, are
the ruins of what is called on the Plan the abbot’s house. What remains
consists of a vaulted cellar, measuring on the inside about 18 feet 2
inches by 15 feet 7 inches, and separated by a thick wall from a similar
apartment on the north, which only in part survives. How far this
structure extended it is impossible to say. It is constructed of good
masonry, the doorway between the apartments being finely wrought; and it
evidently was an important building.
Adjoining this house, two sculptured figures--one of an ecclesiastic and
the other in mail armour (Figs. 909 and 910)[180]--are stuck into the
ground. The first has probably been a recumbent figure on a tomb, and
the other is an isolated upright figure, the back being as carefully
wrought as the front.
A laudable effort has been made to preserve the ruins by enclosing them
with a lofty fence; but much might yet be done by way of preservation
and disclosure by excavation.
CHAPEL, ROTHESAY CASTLE, BUTESHIRE.
[Illustration: FIG. 911.--Chapel, Rothesay Castle. Plan.]
In the description of Rothesay Castle[181] the plan of the ground floor
of the chapel is shown standing within the courtyard, and at right
angles to the east wall of enceinte. The chapel itself, however, was on
the upper floor of this building, which is two stories in height. The
chapel (Fig. 911)
[Illustration: FIG. 912.--Chapel, Rothesay Castle. View from
North-West.]
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