OS1/13/102/16

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 16
Sheet 4 Trace 4 St Andrews

Contd [Continued] from last Page
were still entire and that of others considerable remains still existed. In the interval however which has elapsed since that period a great change has taken place. Most of them have now entirely disappeared the materials of which they were composed having been removed and applied to various purposes, And as nearly the whole of the areas has been converted into garden ground even the site of several of them can now scarcely be ascertained. The original erecting connected with this establishment appear to have been comparatively of a very limited description and as its wealth and its resources increased the extent of its buildings was enlarged. At the commencement of the fifteenth century they were so arranged as to form two courts, and James Bisset the prior at that period is represented as having paved both. in the days of Martine so far as a judgment may be formed from his description the plan of the buildings must have been very irregular. According to Boethine this monastery was excelled by none in Europe either in respect to the extent of its accommodations or the beauty of its architecture. A considerable portion of what is denominated the Abbey Wall which surrounded and enclosed the whole is still in existence, it appears to have been nearly half a mile in extent about 4 feet in thickness and 20 feet in height. It had originally sixteen towers or turrets interspersed at irregular distances projecting outward several feet and rising a few feet higher than the general level of the wall. It was erected by John Hepburn the prior soon after the commencement of the 16th Century" etc New Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] of Fife p. [page] 466-7

Transcriber's notes

Continuation of Description for site of Priory. This further continues on Page 17.
An entry on this page for "High Altar" has been scored out.