[70] While passing through the press, we observe that Mr. P. Macgregor Chalmers, in his recent very interesting work, _A Scots Mediæval Architect_, states that he can prove that these figures illustrate the seven ages of man. This interpretation is ingenious, and we should be glad if the proof was made more convincing. Mr. Chalmers is of opinion that the rood screen is of the time of Bishop Blackadder; but the work is considerably superior to that of the adjoining altars, which are certainly by that bishop. It is altogether of finer design and execution than the work of about 1500. The pinnacles have some analogy with those of the Dean’s seat in the chapter house. [71] Skene’s _Celtic Scotland_, Vol. II. pp. 397-400. [72] Black’s _Brechin_, p. 17. [73] _Ibid._ pp. 253, 254. [74] See Vol. I. p. 175. [75] _Ibid._ p. 127. [76] _Scotland in Early Christian Times_, p. 41. [77] Black’s _Brechin_, p. 276. [78] See _Lindores Abbey and its Burgh of Newburgh_, by Alexander Laing, F. S. A. Scot., 1876. [79] Laing’s _Lindores Abbey_, p. 135. [80] _Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland_, Session 1864-5, p. 14. [81] _Registrum Monasterii de Cambuskenneth_, Grampian Club. [82] _Ibid._ [83] _Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland_, Vol. V. p. 18. [84] _History of Culross._ [85] Royal Institute of British Architects, 19th June 1871, p. 196. [86] Royal Institute of British Architects, 19th June 1871, p. 196. [87] It has, however, been suggested that, as the parish was anciently very large, and included Kincardine, possibly the old parish church, which is about a mile off in the country, was used for the landward district, while that of the abbey was the parish church of the town. [88] _The Priory of Beauly_, by E. Chisholm-Batten, from which the following historical notes are taken. [89] Stewart’s _Records of Kinloss_, XLIX. [90] For particulars of this abbey see _Registrum Sancte Marie de Newbotle_, edited for the Bannatyne Club by Professor Cosmo Innes. [91] _Ibid._ pp. xv. xx. [92] _Ibid._ p. xxxix. [93] _Registrum Sancte Marie de Newbotle_, p. xi. [94] _Ibid._ pp. xv., xx. [95] Diplom. Coll. Adv. Libr. MSS., quoted in the _Registrum_, p. xxiv. Father Hay, so well known in connection with Rosslyn, appears to have had access to papers relating to Newbotle which are not now in existence. [96] Diplom. Coll. Adv. Libr. MSS., quoted in the _Registrum_, p. xli., and _Bannatyne Miscellany_, Vol. II. [97] _Registrum_, p. xliv. [98] _Ibid._ p. xliv. [99] _Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland_, Vol. III. p. 355. [100] We have to thank Mr. Ramsay for kindly supplying us with the annexed Plan and the measurements of the ruins, and for other assistance freely rendered.