Publication Account

Date 1997

Event ID 1019533

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Publication Account

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1019533

Roman catholic chapel-of-ease for a congregation of 300, designed by a newly-graduated architect (working with RMJM at the time). Built in fifteen monhs, in rendered brick, with prefabricate roof beams and RC columns. The building's compact, highly geometrical 'broad front' form, with small, deeply recessed windows and wide, square plan, reflected both litugical requirements (for intimae contact between celebrant and worshippers) and the extreme maritime climate of the island; the design was influenced by the work of Coia, who was consulted by McCarron at the initial proposal stage. The building programme was organised innovatively, with the parish priest, Mgr McKellaig, acting as contractor. The mosaic over the front entrance was the work of David Harding, later celebrated as Glenrothes Development Corporation's artist-in-residence during the late 1960s and '70s, and (more recently still) an influential teacher at Glasgow School of Art. (Fig. 4.70).

Information from 'Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75', (1997).