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Summary

Description

Remains of 13th century church adapted to form burial aisles and enclosures.

CLERK OF ELDIN AISLE: 17th century, adapted to burial aisle by John Clerk of Eldin in late 18th century. Rectangular-plan; gabled and roofless. Sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings. Eaves course, with cornice and cope to side walls; ashlar coped square terminal blocks with square, blank panels to each side; blind arch to E end wall with blank, square ashlar niche above; plate traceried window to W end wall with blank, square ashlar niche above; coped skews to gables.

DRUMMOND OF HAWTHORNDEN AISLE: circa 1650, restored in 1892 and 1995/ 1996. Rectangular-plan with gabled ends; gabled wall to E protrudes above roof height; sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings; low pitched stone-slabbed roof; strip quoins to W end angles. Shouldered-arched doorway; circular bronze portrait plaqueby W B Rhind, 1892, set between half-fluted columns, cornice and broken pediment with carved motif above; medieval cross to gablehead. Rectangular doorway (now blinded) to right of E end wall.

MELVILLE AISLE: early 19th century. Rectangular-plan, roofless. Channelled, polished ashlar sandstone with polished, architraved doorway; squared sandstone rubble to side and rear elevations; cornice; mural tablets.

CALDERWOOD OF POLTON AISLE: 19th century. Rectangular plan with pedimented ends. Sandstone rubble to end walls; cope, squared sandstone rubble to side walls; stepped quoins; ashlar coped skews to pediments; pitched roof of iron bars.

PRESTON OF VALLEYFIELD (PERTHSHIRE) ENCLOSURE: Dies with iron railings. Medieval effigy of recumbent knight, (temporarily in the Calderwood aisle); sandstone rubble.

BOUNDARY WALLS AND GATEPIERS: rubble walls and gatepiers.

Statement of Special Interest

Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The Kirk was built in the earlier 13th century, and was abandoned in 1793, the west tower surviving until 1866. The manse was built nearby in 1789 and still stands, (see separate list entry). The Eldin, Drummond and Melville aisles run along what was the north wall of the old church; adjacent are the remaining two aisles. The Eldin Aisle is the grave of the essayist on naval tactics and engraver, John Clerk (1728-1812). He was the 7th son of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. The Drummond Aisle is the burial place of the Drummonds of Hawthornden, including the poet, William Drummond, (1585-1649) a leading literary figure who had connections with the English poet, Ben Jonson, as well as being a staunch Royalist. The aisle was restored in his honour in 1892 with the portrait plaque by W B Rhind and epitaph from one of his poems. The medieval cross on the gable apex came from the original church. Inside is a pedimented tablet to Jean Drummond, who died in 1777. The Melville Aisle houses the grave of the statesman Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville (1742-1811).

References

Bibliography

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