THE ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND
FROM THE EARLIEST CHRISTIAN TIMES TO THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
VOLUME III.
THIRD OR LATE POINTED PERIOD.
In passing from the Middle Pointed to the Late Pointed periods in Scotland,
we do not find any distinct break in the style of architecture such as exists
between the First and Second Pointed periods. The middle pointed style
passes by gentle gradation into the late pointed style, and there is some
difficulty in fixing the period when the one ceases and the other begins.
When buildings such as Melrose Abbey and Lincluden College are compared
with Dunglass, Corstorphine, and other collegiate churches of the
late period, the difference of style is very apparent, and it is at once
seen that these edifices belong to different categories. But between such
examples as Haddington Church and Paisley Abbey the distinction of
style is not at first sight so striking. It is only when the whole character
of the architecture is considered that it can be determined to which
category each structure belongs. Although the line of division is thus
to a certain extent arbitrary, there are some characteristics of the third
pointed period which are peculiar to it, and render it a distinct and well
marked epoch. This period, although inferior in many respects to those
which preceded it, yet comprises more than any other certain elements
which give it a claim to be considered peculiarly Scottish and national.
Many of the structures described in Vol II. as belonging (in part at least) to the decorated period bear some resemblance to those of the same style in England. These edifices are mostly of considerable size, and contain all the usual divisions of choir, nave, and transept, nearly always with aisles. They are also generally vaulted with groined vaults, having wooden roofs above the vaults. The details of the buildings are likewise of similar character in both localities.
As in the preceding period, the large churches of the third pointed period in Scotland are nearly all restorations. No new churches of great size were undertaken. Some of the older large churches which had been damaged were reconstructed, but the new churches erected were almost
