Architecture Notes

Event ID 875038

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Architecture Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/875038

NO22SW 1.03 24183 24719

Sundials:

Dr Andrew Somerville records two lectern sundials at Megginch Castle, and three other sundials:

(1) The original 17th century lectern sundial found in the grounds, and (2) the lectern sundial dated 1890, probably a copy of the 17th century type, located next to the small burial ground adjoining the chapel (MS 5741/4/8).

(3)The southern wall of the walled garden has a sundial attached to it (An Invertory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, Volume 4, page 211) (MS 5741/10/51).

(4) A measured drawing of a horizontal sundial on a moulded pedestal (MS 5741/8/32) might be identified with the Victorian horizontal sundial (MS 5741/10/52).

(5) An armillary sundial is also briefly noted (MS 5741/10/52).

From desk-based evidence alone it has not been possible to locate the original 17th century sundial, the horizontal sundial or the armillary sundial. Map evidence suggests that a sundial was located in the garden to the west of the castle (NO22SW 1.11 2415 2455) at NO 24164 24572. It is possible that another was in the walled garden.

(Anne Cassells, 25 June 2009, updated 20 May 2010).

Information from Dr A R Somerville, Cheshire, in letter dated 8.8.89.

"On my last trip I did manage to get into Megginch Castle. They have a small lectern dial made in C19 by Lady Strange's grandfather, which I think is listed, but they have now found the C17 original from which itwas copied and which has the the initials SPH and DMS - Sir Peter Day and Dame Maria Scrimgeour, who were married about 1630. They also have a wall dial - overgrown by wisteria - which is flaking badly now and the date has been lost, but Lady Strange remembers it clearly as 1575, so it is a very early one."