Oblique aerial view of Torphichen Preceptory. The central part of the medieval church, comprising the 13th century tower and the N and S trancepts, survives. The present parish church, built in 1756, ...

Description Oblique aerial view of Torphichen Preceptory. The central part of the medieval church, comprising the 13th century tower and the N and S trancepts, survives. The present parish church, built in 1756, overlies the foundations of the medieval nave.

Date 1/4/1994

Collection RCAHMS Aerial Photography

Catalogue Number SC 1681714

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of C 40301 CN

Scope and Content Torphichen Preceptory, West Lothian Only the crossing and transepts of the Preceptory church still stand today. Torphichen was gifted to the Hospitallers by David I (1124-53) and remained in their possession until 1563 when the lands passed to the last Preceptor as a secular lordship. The precincts of the Preceptory were extensive, and included adminstrative, domestic and monastic buildings arranged around the cloistered courtyard now marked by the gravel path. The main gate lies beneath the farm at the extreme left of the photograph. A number of Brothers lived at Torphichen spending their time attending to the sick in the hospital and to the growing of food and herbs. Living under a monastic rule, the Brothers would attend daily prayers, and the Preceptory was served by three priests. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1681714

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap