Jim Knowles (West Lothian Archaeological Trust)
NIR Detail of Wall Decoration on the Western Wall of Torphichen Preceptory
St Ninians followers probably built the first church in the area around the seventh century upon this site. In the past fossilised oak logs have been recovered around the preceptory when removing earlier graves. The earlier stone built church would have stood on this area of raised ground. The preceptory was founded around 1153 as the first property held by the Knights of St John (Hospitallers) in Scotland. It is thought that a moat once surrounded the preceptory to protect it with watchtowers at either end to provide a lookout. The nave of the preceptory is now the parish church, which was rebuilt in the 18th century. This image shows clearly more of the wall decoration that would have covered most of wall within the interior of the church.
NIR Detail of Wall Decoration on the Western Wall of Torphichen Preceptory
St Ninians followers probably built the first church in the area around the seventh century upon this site. In the past fossilised oak logs have been recovered around the preceptory when removing earlier graves. The earlier stone built church would have stood on this area of raised ground. The preceptory was founded around 1153 as the first property held by the Knights of St John (Hospitallers) in Scotland. It is thought that a moat once surrounded the preceptory to protect it with watchtowers at either end to provide a lookout. The nave of the preceptory is now the parish church, which was rebuilt in the 18th century. This image shows clearly more of the wall decoration that would have covered most of wall within the interior of the church.