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 sketch likewise shows the small portions of the church which still
remain. The lofty south gable of the transept is visible with the
sloping water table of the roof of the building, which stood on the
south of it. This building has apparently been at least two stories in
height. It no doubt extended over the chapter house wing, and contained
the dormitory, &c. (as at Crosraguel). A small lancet window on each
side of the water table near its apex and another small window over it
seem to indicate that there was an apartment in the roof of the
transept. The wall seen in the distance is part of the south wall of the
choir. It contains the water table of the roof of the east aisle of the
transept, and is broken off at the jamb of a high window, which lighted
the choir or presbytery, thus showing that the latter must have extended
further eastward than the existing ruin.
TORPHICHEN CHURCH, LINLITHGOWSHIRE.
This church, from the circumstance of its castle-like appearance and its
possessing a complete dwelling-house over the transepts, was included in
_The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland_, Vol. II. p.
131, in which a full description of it is given, illustrated with
numerous drawings. The building is here introduced with the view of more
fully explaining some features formerly omitted, and also to form a
complete record of such an important example.
The new features introduced in the Plan (Fig. 1060) are the choir, the
nave, and an outbuilding to the north. The width and height of the choir
and the arch leading into it are clearly seen against the central tower
(Fig. 1061), while the lower part of the east wall and part of the north
wall of the choir are still standing, as shown in the Plan, although
reduced to only a few feet in height.
The present parish church (Fig. 1062) occupies the site of the nave, the
ancient splayed base being utilised in the north wall, where it is
visible along the whole length. It is also probable that the west end of
the present church corresponds with the position of the old west end. In
that case the dimensions were as follow, viz.:--The choir was about 63
feet 6 inches long by 25 feet 6 inches wide, and the nave was about 65
feet 6 inches long by 25 feet wide. The total length of the church was
158 feet 3 inches outside measure. The total length of the transept was
about 68 feet. There was apparently an aisle along the south side of the
nave, the beginning of the wall of which is visible on the Plan. A row
of buildings existed as a continuation northwards of the north transept,
and at a distance of about 31 yards northwards a portion of these
buildings still remains, measuring about 40 feet in length. The first
erection to the north of the transept had a window with stone seats
looking into the church, and it had also a communication with the house
over the church. There may thus have been a row of dormitories on the
upper floor extending northwards.
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