The second church in point of antiquity is a small quadrangular structure (Fig. 933) which stands near the principal church, and to the south-east of it, on the higher ground adjacent to the modern town. It is 32 feet long by 13 feet wide within the walls, which are now reduced to about 6 to 7 feet in height all round. The north wall appears to have been rebuilt, for Mr. Neale describes it in his _Ecclesiological Notes_[187] as being ruinous, but having one lancet. The east end contains a triplet enclosed in one arch, and the south side has a door and a two-light window under one arch. These features point to the date of this chapel as being early, but it is scarcely possible to fix a definite time. It is, however, apparently earlier than 1429, the date of the burning of St. Duthus’ Church on the links, and it is thought that this may have been the original parish church. The adjoining larger church is recorded as having been a rebuilding of a previous church, and it seems most probable that the building now under consideration was the earlier church. As regards the third church (see Fig. 933), which was undoubtedly dedicated to St. Duthus, chronicles declare it to have been built by William, Earl of Ross, who died in 1371. In 1487 James III. procured from the Bishop of Ross and the Pope sanction for converting it into a collegiate establishment for a provost, five canons, two deacons, a sacrist, with an assistant clerk, and three singing boys. This institution was liberally endowed out of the crown lands, and, after the death of James III., an annual sum was paid out of the royal treasury.[188] [Illustration: FIG. 933.--St. Duthus’ Church. Plan.] In the _Treasurer’s Accounts_ for 1504 there are entries which seem to point to all three churches as being then still in existence. These entries show that on 23rd October of that year the king made an offering of 14s. “in Sanct Duchois Chapell quhair he was borne” (no doubt meaning the place where the saint was born, or the old church on the links); also, “in Sanct Duchois Chapell in the Kirk-yard of Tayne” (referring, probably, to the second, or original, parish church); and also, “in Sanct Duchoils Kirk” (which may be the College Kirk as distinguished from the Parish Church). The Collegiate Church stands in a pleasant situation overlooking the sea, on the raised beach to the north of the town, and is surrounded by a burying-ground. St. Duthus’ was an ancient and favourite place of pilgrimage, and the old church having been consumed, this new one would, after its erection, be doubtless the celebrated shrine to which James IV. and V. made their pilgrimages.