Page:The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland ( Volume 3).djvu/576

 Sutherland family, the first baronet being Sir Robert Gordon, the author of the History of Sutherland.

—Michael Kirk.

Ornaments in East Window.

The edifice (Fig. 1528) is 45 feet in length by 20 feet in width externally. It has large pointed and traceried windows in the east and west gables, and the south wall contains a central door and a two-light window at each side of it. The openings are all pointed, and the windows have a kind of tracery. The north wall has no openings, being apparently designed to receive monuments, of which it already contains several. This structure bears the date of 1703, and is a remarkable product of that period. The forms of the tracery (Fig. 1530) indicate a very slight acquaintance with Gothic, and the mouldings have all more of a

—Michael Kirk. Plan.

classic than a Gothic character. The ornaments introduced in the transoms are peculiar. Those in the east window consist of a series of Cupids' heads

—Michael Kirk.

Ornaments in West Window.

(Fig. 1527), while those of the west window show a variety of flower patterns (Fig. 1529) carved with considerable spirit. The urns which act as finials on the gables betray the Renaissance feeling of the period. In the architrave-like moulding which surrounds the door and windows are introduced a series of alternating stars and roses.

It may be thought astonishing to find a revival of Gothic so prominent in this northern region; but it must be borne in mind that the Episcopal form of Church government encouraged by royalty in the seventeenth century found considerable favour in this part of Scotland.