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 chapel stands a little to the east of Grandtully Castle at a place
called Pitcairn (anciently Petquharne), about three miles from
Aberfeldy. It is situated at a considerable height above the valley of
Strathtay, and commands an extensive view of mountain scenery. Any one
seeing the chapel for the first time, and unacquainted with its
existence, might easily mistake it for part of the adjoining farm
buildings, it is so plain and humble in appearance. Only the presence of
the churchyard surrounding it, and a very small cross on the east gable,
serve to call attention to the fact that it is a sacred edifice, which
on inspection is found to possess features of considerable interest.
The building (Fig. 1549) may be said to be entire in walls and roof. It
measures on the outside about 79 feet long by about 23 feet 3 inches
wide, and is at present divided into two parts by a stone partition.
There are two doors and several small windows on the south side. These
openings are all straight lintelled and quite unadorned. A door on the
north side is probably modern. There is a small locker, 14 or 15 inches
square, in the usual position in the north wall near the east end. This
ambry, which is about four feet from the floor, is of great interest, as
it is quite entire, having a wooden door and hinges, an almost unknown
condition in Scotland. There is another small recess about 17 inches
square and about 3 feet from the ground in the east wall. But the
principal feature of the chapel, and what renders it almost unique, is
the
[Illustration: FIG. 1549.--Grandtully Chapel. Plan.]
painted ceiling at the east end. This ceiling is constructed, as shown
on the sketch (Fig. 1550), at the west end of the eastern division. The
roof consists of rafters and ties, on which, at the east end, boards are
fixed so as to present a circular form, in the same way as in several of
the other painted ceilings of Scottish castles and mansions, such as
Pinkie, Culross, and Earl’s Hall. It is not known whether this painted
roof extended the whole length of the chapel or was confined, as it now
is, to the east end. The painting presents four rows of circular discs,
each containing six circles, which are variously ornamented. Four of
them are occupied with the four Evangelists, and others with coats of
arms, including the royal arms--1st and 4th, Scotland; 2nd, England;
3rd, Ireland, with an inner-escutcheon. The arms of England and Scotland
also occur on separate shields, as well as those of the Earls of Athole
and of the Laird of Grandtully and his wife, Dame Agnes Moncrieff. The
paintings were rather exposed for some years to damp, and in many places
the subjects and inscriptions, which are numerous, are considerably
effaced; but further decay is arrested by the roof having recently been
put in good order. Amongst the paintings there are complicated
monograms, and a large panel in the centre contains an elaborate
composition showing buildings with quaint figures.
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