Archaeology Notes

Event ID 703872

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/703872

NS66NW 7.00 60096 65506

(NS 6010 6550) Provand's Lorship (NR)

OS 1:1250 map, (1969)

NS66NW 7.01 NS 6009 6549 Drain

NS66NW 7.02 NS 6008 6551 Well

NS66NW 7.03 NS 6008 6550 Urban Excavation

The building known as "Provand's Lordship" was erected in 1471 by Bishop Andrew Muirhead, and is part of the Hospital of St Nicholas founded by the Bishop for the support of twelve aged poor men. The rest has long since disappeared but it seems likely that this part was the official dwelling of the Master or Preceptor; it was a three-storeyed tenement, built of sandstone. At some date, probably not long after the house was built, part of it became the official dwelling of the Prebendary of Balernock. McUre, writing in 1736, says "he was called the Lord Provan (sic) and his Rectory was design'd the Lordship of Provan." McUre's word "Rectory" was taken locally to mean the building instead of the official position, and so the name "Provand's Lordship" came into use. In 1670, a new front or west wall and wings were built; these walls are much thinner than the earlier ones.

It is now (ie. 1976) the property of Strathclyde Regional Council, and in use as a museum.

L Capperton 1930.