Aldbar Chapel nr Brechin Angus Scotland
Aldbar chapel, is built into a small, steep slope, is set within a small graveyard situated in the secluded and heavily-wooded Den of Aldbar. A passageway was dug behind the building, presumably to keep the damp earth off the rear wall
The mortuary chapel is now in a ruinous state, and being encroached by vegetation and trees. The slated roof may completely collapse shortly, as the timbers appear rotten and unstable.
Description (exterior)
The medieval chapel had become very ruinous when it was rebuilt as a mortuary chapel in c1850. This was carried out by the Chalmers family and R W Billings, and apparently the 'exact dimensions' of the old chapel were used when the mortuary chapel was built, using as far as possible the existing stonework.
The chapel was built using mostly ashlar and tooled sandstone blocks. It is reported that a lot of original masonry was used in the rebuild into a mortuary chapel. The roof is slated, although now is in a state of collapse.
The east face of the chapel forms the frontage. A round-arched doorway gave entrance to the chapel. Alongside are two rectangular windows, their glass now gone. The south gable has two tall rectangular windows with thick mullions. Above is a small sub-triangular windows with simple tracery. At the gable head is a detailed heraldic or family panel. The north gable has a rose window near the gable head, but this is now hidden by vegetation.
There is documentary evidence of this chapel's existence in the 13th century. In 1433 it was granted to the College of Methven
Description (interior)
The interior of the chapel is now devoid of any fittings and furnishing. The structure of the roof timbers can be seen however, with a whale bone-style curved beam pinned together and supported on decorated stone corbels.
A number of Pictish stones and a cross, repositioned inside the chapel in the later 19th century, are now located in Brechin Cathedral
Aldbar Chapel nr Brechin Angus Scotland
Aldbar chapel, is built into a small, steep slope, is set within a small graveyard situated in the secluded and heavily-wooded Den of Aldbar. A passageway was dug behind the building, presumably to keep the damp earth off the rear wall
The mortuary chapel is now in a ruinous state, and being encroached by vegetation and trees. The slated roof may completely collapse shortly, as the timbers appear rotten and unstable.
Description (exterior)
The medieval chapel had become very ruinous when it was rebuilt as a mortuary chapel in c1850. This was carried out by the Chalmers family and R W Billings, and apparently the 'exact dimensions' of the old chapel were used when the mortuary chapel was built, using as far as possible the existing stonework.
The chapel was built using mostly ashlar and tooled sandstone blocks. It is reported that a lot of original masonry was used in the rebuild into a mortuary chapel. The roof is slated, although now is in a state of collapse.
The east face of the chapel forms the frontage. A round-arched doorway gave entrance to the chapel. Alongside are two rectangular windows, their glass now gone. The south gable has two tall rectangular windows with thick mullions. Above is a small sub-triangular windows with simple tracery. At the gable head is a detailed heraldic or family panel. The north gable has a rose window near the gable head, but this is now hidden by vegetation.
There is documentary evidence of this chapel's existence in the 13th century. In 1433 it was granted to the College of Methven
Description (interior)
The interior of the chapel is now devoid of any fittings and furnishing. The structure of the roof timbers can be seen however, with a whale bone-style curved beam pinned together and supported on decorated stone corbels.
A number of Pictish stones and a cross, repositioned inside the chapel in the later 19th century, are now located in Brechin Cathedral