Scheduled Monument

Kilbride Chapel, old church and graveyard, Lamlash, ArranSM6639

Status: Designated

Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

Summary

Date Added
06/03/1997
Type
Crosses and carved stones: inscribed stone; tombstone, Ecclesiastical: burial ground, cemetery, graveyard; church
Local Authority
North Ayrshire
Parish
Kilbride
NGR
NS 03229 32268
Coordinates
203229, 632268

Description

The monument consists of a roofless church, said to date from the 14th century, together with part of the burial ground in which it stands.

The church, dedicated to St Bride or Bridget, served the parish forming the eastern half of Arran and was the principal church therein. The location of the parish church at this particular spot may result from its proximity to Holy Isle. The church is first documented in 1357, but the dedication suggests the possibility of an earlier foundation.

The church measures approximately 20m E-W by 8m N-S, the walls standing to height of approximately 3m. The wall-plate remains along parts of the side walls. There are 3 doorways and 3 windows in the S wall of the church. The westernmost doorway has lost its lintel and the middle doorway is now blocked. One of the windows (now blocked) has been reduced from a larger opening. There is a further window, with an arched reveal, about half way along the N wall. All the windows are finished externally with a simple chamfer.

Both E and W walls have been partially reconstructed in fairly modern times. A monogrammed stone with the inscription 'FIR GOD' and the date 1618, set in the E wall, appears also to have been set in the former E wall before its collapse. The monogram appears to represent James, 4th Earl of Arran and 2nd Marquis of Hamilton, and his wife Anne Cunningham.

The interior of the church is divided into two unequal portions by a modern wall. Within the W part are 2 supposed aumbries and a possible piscina. One of the aumbries is square and the other has an arched head, but the latter may be a re-used window-head: its arch has a deep chamfer. The possible piscina has a triangular head with a much more shallow chamfer. All three of these features are set at a similar level in the walls.

Within the E part of the church are two grave slabs standing on end, one (apparently upside down) with a cable-moulding around the edge and interlace work at one end. Other grave-slabs and carved stones apparently of medieval date are recorded as being in the burial ground in 1909. These included a slab depicting an armoured figure.

There are a number of very fine post-Reformation headstones in the burial ground, including a slab showing a ploughing scene.

The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, defined by and including the walls of the old portion of the burial ground, and measuring a maximum of 45m N-S by a maximum of 50m E-W, as defined in red on the accompanying map. It includes the church and its associated burial ground, but excludes any lairs for which burial rights survive.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the remains of one of the two medieval parish churches on Arran. It is the only medieval church or chapel on Arran ' a crucial area in terms of the Lowland/Highland divide in medieval Scotland ' known to preserve above-ground remains. It also has the potential to provide evidence for the development of medieval ecclesiastical architecture and for the organisation of the medieval church in Scotland, for medieval and post-medieval burial practices and for the development of medieval and post-medieval sculpture in the west of Scotland.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 03 SW 5.

Reference:

Balfour: The Book of Arran (1909).

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

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Printed: 29/03/2024 04:44