Brechin, The Channonry

The Chanonry was a settlement separate in jurisdiction from the burgh. It housed the officials of the cathedral and the see and possibly pre-dated the 'toun' of Brechin. The Chanonry developed in a small area to the west of High Street and south of present-day Church Street, and its ends lay near the West Port and the pend of the Bishop's Close. Between Chanonry Wynd and Church Lane were the manses and gardens of the four canons; the Precentor, Chancellor, Archdeacon and Subdean. Other ecclesiastical officials had residences across the wynd. On the west side of the Chanonry Wynd lay the ground of the college of Brechin, a cathedral school for boy choristers which was founded in the early fifteenth century and after the Reformation developed into the Grammar School of Brechin. The Manse of the Treasurer was on the site now occupied by Cathedral Hall (Thoms, 1951, 19). The Bishop's Palace stood on the north side of the Bishop's Close, and on the south side where the manse now stands the Bishop's garden sloped down to the Bishop's Orchards and Skinner's Burn (Thoms, 1951, 19).

Information from ‘Historic Brechin: The Archaeological Implications of Development’ (1977).

NO56SE 306 NO 594 600

NO 594 600 (centre) A historic building survey was carried out in March 2005 at a ruined building on The Channonry. The S gable still stood, along with the W wall, which adjoined the boundary wall to the N. Very little tangible evidence of phasing was noted. The building was originally a stable block, with a later addition to the S added during the 20th century. There is a possibility that a further lean-to addition once existed along the N boundary wall of the property.

Three pieces of window tracery and decorative moulding were found during demolition works, one of which contained a mason's mark.

Archive to be deposited in NMRS.

Sponsor: Mr Gordon Hill.