Archaeology Notes

Event ID 716565

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/716565

NMRS REFERENCE:

NT46NE 1.00 4724 6980 House

NT46NE 1.01 472 698 Wall

NT46NE 1.02 4714 6984 West Gate

NT46NE 1.03 4729 6986 East Gate

NT46NE 4 47158 69812 Chapel

NT46NE 3 4710 6997 Dovecot

NT46NE 39 4700 6967 Icehouse

NT46NE 46 4730 6992 Stable

(NT 4716 6981) Chapel (NR)

OS 6" map (1909)

This barrel-vaulted building, in the grounds of Herdmanston House, appears to be the W part of a chapel. Oblong and orientated, it measures externally 36 1/4ft by 21ft. A cross wall footing within suggests the demarcation of the sanctuary and that the structure continued farther E, the present E gable being modern. Details of a window in the W wall suggests that the structure is of 13th century date, but there are no other features to corroborate this. Within it are two monumental slabs to members of the St Clair family; one is dated 1594. Rebuilt about 1840 (C McWilliam 1978), the chapel is kept in good repair; an elaborate 12th century Norman stone stoup from it is in the NMAS.

The chapel, dedicated to St John the Evangelist, was founded at some date in the early 13th century by John Sinclair of Herdmanston with a chaplain for the convenience of his family and guests.

RCAHMS 1924, visited 1913; Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1958

This building, the family vault of the St Clairs, is in good repair and is as described.

Visited by OS (BS) 25 July 1975.