Description

The monument consists of the remains of a chapel of pre-Reformation date, which was suppressed prior to the Reformation.

Kirkforthar Chapel is situated on an oval flat topped mound which served as a burial ground and is surrounded by a wall. The burial ground is isolated in the midst of ploughed fields. The chapel measures 10.7m E-W by 6m N-S over walls reduced to a height of 1.9-2m. It is built of random rubble masonry with ashlar dressings on the W entrance, which is later addition. The threshhold stone remains but the lintel is gone. No burial markers are apparent within the interior or surrounding the church. The mound on which the chapel sits measures 40m E-W by 30m N-S.

The area to be scheduled is oval, measuring a maximum of 66m E-W by 56m N-S, to include the chapel, burial ground and an area surrounding it which may contain buried remains relating to its Pre-Reformation use, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as an example of a chapel, which was suppressed prior to the Reformation. As such it provides evidence and has the potential to provide further evidence, through excavation and analysis, for ecclesiastical architecture, patronage, burial history, settlement evolution and material culture. Of additional interest is the nature of its relationship to the adjacent house of Kirkforthar, which may have succeeded an earlier house.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO20SE 8.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland