The following is a statement by Mr. W. Galloway in defence of his views regarding the date of the walls of St. Blane's Church, Bute:[1]—
"Objections are taken in the notice of St. Blane's Chapel, Bute (Vol. I. p. 297),
to the views advanced by me in the Archæologia Scotica (Vol. V. p. 217) as to
the priority in date and construction of the rubble part of the chancel, over the
Romanesque structure conjoined with it. These are specially summarised under
three heads, in the first of which exception is taken to the fact of there being a
base, topped with a small splayed freestone course, with rubble above and below,
which is supposed to contravene the ideas ordinarily entertained as to Celtic
practice. This practice, however, was strictly dependent upon and fixed by the
nature of the building materials that happened to be available in any particular
locality. In out of the way districts and far-off islands, where freestone was
unknown or not procurable, the builder had to be content with the stone that
came most readily to hand, necessity, not choice, compelling his selection. This
is proven by the avidity with which the Celt took to freestone whenever it
could be got.
"No better illustration can be selected than Oransay Priory (Vol. III. pp. 372-381). There the south cloister arcade, the door to the church adjoining it, with the chapel projecting at the north-east angle (and to these may be added the Teampul na ghlinne, on the Colonsay side of the strand), are examples of rubble building, in the local schist, where arches are turned and openings formed without a trace of freestone or any material that could be hewn. The portion of a mullion of transitional date found in the ruins proves that freestone had been imported to the island by the close of the twelfth century, and was in constant use thereafter.
"It would be a serious mistake, however, to place in the same category the Island of Bute, where freestone (red) occurs locally, and the best qualities of rock on the adjoining mainland. Freestone was in common use with the Romans both for monumental work and building, and it is precisely this simple splayed form of base which is most frequently to be found. As to its use in Celtic work there may be cited Cruggleton Chapel (Vol. I. pp. 212-215), about three miles from Whitherne Priory, which by every criterion is extremely primitive, much earlier than the priory, and also Celtic, founded most probably by the Carrols or M'Kerlies, who wrested the castle from the Norse jarls. There the base, which has been laid on the grass level, has a base course precisely similar to that of St. Blane's, with rubble above and below. In fact, the entire building is rubble, except the dressed work and the chancel arch. It is not freestone, but silurian grit, from the Stewartry shores. It is no doubt later in date than
- ↑ Since this proof was revised by Mr. Galloway, a month ago, we regret to be informed of his death.
