Archaeology Notes

Event ID 713789

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/713789

NT27SE 103.01 28332 74468.

(NT 2833 7446) St Triduana's Chapel is attached to the SW angle of Restalrig parish church. It was already in existence in 1477. Its design, a two-storeyed vaulted hexagon, 36'6" in external diameter, is unique. The lower chapel, built partly below ground, survives intact; it was restored in 1907-8 after use as a burial vault. The upper chamber, a chapel of unknown dedication, was demolished in 1560. Traditionally, St Triduana, in the 8th century, blinded herself and thereafter retired to Restalrig, where she was buried. Her shrine became a place of pilgrimage for those with diseases of the eye, a practice mentioned as late as the 16th century.

RCAHMS 1951; S Piggott and W D Simpson 1970.

This chapel, in good condition, is generally as described.

Visited by OS (SFS) 3 December 1975.