Markinch, St Drostan's Parish Church, Session House

Parish Church.

The parish church stands on an eminence overlooking the village. Although the rest of the building is modern, the western tower, dates from the 12th century. It is square, measuring some 16 feet on each face, and is four storeys in height, the uppermost storey, which is the belfry, having a pair of early windows in each wall. The masonry is of cubical ashlar, built in courses 14 inches in height, and each storey is defined by a string-course bearing a reticulated enrichment. The present spire and cornice, with the course of masonry below the latter, are modern and so, too, is the present entrance, the tower having originally opened into the church by an archway. Within the north-west angle is a newel-stair which ascends from the ground to the upper floors.

ARMORIAL PANEL.- In the north wall of the church is an interesting armorial panel of the 17th century. The helm, resting on an earl's coronet, is mantled and wreathed; the crest is missing. The shield is parted per pale: dexter, Quarterly, 1st and 4th, a thistle ensigned with an imperial crown; 2nd and 3rd, on a bend three buckles, all for Leslie, Earl of Leven. The sinister side is quartered, each quarter is charged with a lion rampant (for Mowbray)*and over all is a label of three points, the whole probably for Margaret Howard, sister of the Earl of Carlisle, who married Alexander, 2nd Earl of Level in 1656. The dexter supporter is a man in armour holding a banner, and the sinister one a crane with a label of three points at the neck. On a label below is the motto, PRO REGE ET PATRIA.

FOLIACEOUS CAPITAL AND CANOPY.- In the front of the session-house are inserted a 13th century foliaceous capital and a niche canopy of later date.

RCAHMS 1933, visited 8 June 1927.

*The Howards, Earls of Carlisle, bear the Mowbray lion rampant in one of their quarters.