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
also corresponds with that of the aisle piers, both containing, as above
mentioned, fine examples of Celtic foliage and figures. The peculiar
traceried windows at the east end of the south aisle of choir and the
adjoining piscina (see Fig. 999) are also clearly of late date.
The cloister lies to the north of the nave; it measures 73 feet from
north to south by 66 feet from east to west. The cloister walk has had a
wooden roof all round, resting on corbels (see Fig. 994) in the main
wall, and on an arcade on the side next the cloister garth. Some
fragments of the shafts and arches of the arcade are preserved in the
chapter house, and the bases of a twin column, socketed for the shafts,
stand on the wall at the north-west angle. The arcade would thus appear
to have rested on coupled shafts, and, so far as can be ascertained by
examination of the only surviving portion at the south-west angle and
the fragments in the chapter house, the arches were pointed and carved
with Celtic ornament somewhat similarly to the arches of the sedilia in
the choir (see Fig. 986). In each angle of the cloister walk an arch has
been thrown across the walk diagonally, so as to strengthen and steady
the walls. Only one of these arches, that at the south-west angle (see
Fig. 994), remains entire, those in the other angles being reduced to
fragments. This arch is the only one which is moulded on the edge, the
others being splayed. These arches have evidently been built after the
walls adjoining, as they fit awkwardly against previously existing
doorways at the north-east and north-west angles. That at the south-west
angle butts against a structure which seems to have formed a turret
adjoining the north-west angle of the nave. This turret contains a small
chamber, at about 7 feet to 8 feet above the floor of the nave, which
enters by a small door from the nave, and is said to be the porter’s
lodge. It has a curiously cusped loophole opening in the direction of
the church door.
The cloister is surrounded by buildings on the east and north. The north
transept has a door to the cloister, and a benitier is placed near the
entrance. Next to the transept on the north is a chamber, 10 feet wide,
entering from the cloister (see Fig. 982), and lighted by a window to
the east. There is a fireplace in the east wall of this room, being the
only fireplace in the monastery. It seems doubtful whether this chamber
was not originally the slype or passage from the cloister towards the
east, as there is no other passage.
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