The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
This fragment of a church is situated in the centre of its churchyard,
on the margin of a romantic glen, on the opposite side of which stands
the ruined Castle of Mains, in the region of Strath Dichty, about three
miles north from Dundee. The remains consist of a small building which
projected from the south side of the church, and which Mr. Muir[180]
calls “the sacristy of the demolished church of Mains.” The view (Fig.
1399) shows three lancet windows in the south gable, which are of very
simple design, having merely a splay on their outer edge. The place is
locked up, but Mr. Muir says that the windows have separate rear-arches.
Over the window there is a very beautiful sculptured fragment
representing the Annunciation. It is sadly wasted, the head of the
Virgin, and what may have been the descending dove, being an indistinct
mass. The lower part of the figure, however, is well preserved, and is
extremely graceful. The figure of the angel, although wasted, is in good
preservation, while the scroll and pot of lilies are fairly distinct.
Beneath the pot there is a shield on which are visible two piles issuing
from a chief, with the remains of what may be mullets or annulets on the
piles. There were probably three piles at first.
[Illustration: FIG. 1399.--Mains Church. Surviving Fragment.]
The Church of Mains belonged to the Abbey of Arbroath.
There is a sundial, of more recent date than the building, carved on the
south-west corner, similar to the sundials on the porch of Linlithgow
Church and on the south transept of Melrose.
MARYTON CHURCH, FORFARSHIRE.[181]
Maryton Church is situated about two miles south-west of Montrose.
The fine grave slab (Fig. 1400) was found by Mr. Robertson lying broken
and uncared for; and at his suggestion the minister, Mr. Fraser,
[Illustration: FIG. 1400.--Maryton Church. Grave Slab.]
had it removed and placed in the church vestry. The upper part is
occupied with a finely incised figure of a knight in sixteenth century
costume, and the lower portion is occupied with the arms, supporters,
helmet, and mantling. The arms are, an oak tree growing out of a mount
(for Wood of Bonyton), between two cross crosslets (for Tulloch of
Bonyton). Walter or William Wood married Dorothy Tulloch, one of the
co-heiresses of Bonyton, sometime before 4th January 1493, in which year
they got a confirmation of a charter by James IV. An inscription can
still be partly traced round the slab, and it is believed to date from
1530.
PERT CHURCH, FORFARSHIRE.[182]
An old church situated on the North Esk about midway between Montrose
and Edzell. The building (Fig. 1401) is in a state of ruin and covered
with ivy. It measures in the inside about 43 feet from east to west by
about 18 feet in width.
[Illustration: FIG. 1401.--Pert Church. Plan.]
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