Publication Account

Date 2004

Event ID 1019657

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Publication Account

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1019657

RCAHMS Excursion Guide

The simple rectangular form of the pre-reformation church survives. A burial-aisle was added to the north in 1641 forming the existing T-plan church. In 1802 the church was 'repaired' which included the insertion of round-headed astragaled windows and the creation of a door in the centre of the south wall. A pre-1927 photograph, in the vestry, shows the interior as a rectangular plastered space with no internal access to the north aisle. In 1927 Capt. and Hon. Mrs Drummond Moray employed J Jeffrey Waddell (1876-1941) to 'restore' the church to its 'medieval appearance'. The programme of works was drastic, all the harl and the plasted was removed and new gothic windows inserted, all under a new roof. Access to the north aisle was opened up through an archway and a vestry created beyond. This invovled the blocking of the 19th century north doorway. The east end appears to be the only area that was not rebuilt, retaining the pre-Reformation sacrament-house and leper squint. During the work various sculptures stones were uncovered from the walls including the 1644 pediment of the churchyard gate, these along with the Cross of Fowlis, are preserved within the church. Waddell, an FSA Scot, was convinced that there were further early sculptured stones within the fabric. The interior was fitted out with a complete set of furnishings with Celtic inspired decoration. A portrait of Waddell in the NMRS shows him sitting in one of the pews. There is also some fine 20th-century stained glass including the Ascending Christ in the west window.

Information from ‘RCAHMS Excursion Guide 2004: Commissioners' Field Excursion, Perth and Angus, 31 August – 2 September 2004’.