OS1/14/5/61

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[Page] 61

[continued from page 60]
with indications of a circular window above. A similar window on a smaller scale is to be seen
in the upper part of the wall of the south transept. The other windows which remain are in the early-
pointed or lancet-shaped style. The pillars which supported the roof of the church are all
demolished but their foundations may be traced without difficulty. Adjoining to the south transept
on the east is a building said to have been the Charter-house of the abbey. It consists
of two vaulted apartments the one above the other in a state of good repair. Immediately
in front and of the south transept appear to have been the cloisters; and at a short distance
from the south wall of the nave are the remains of the abbot's house which is still inhabited
as a private mansion. On the whole the buildings although when entire they must have
had an imposing aspect were inferior in point of magnificence to some others of which Scot-
land could boast. Little is known respecting the history of the abbey although it was much
celebrated in its day. The monks were brought from Kelso and were of Tyronensian order.
The abbot exercised episcopal jurisdiction within his precincts and had a seat in parlia-
ment. Of those invested with this dignity, two may be mentioned as distinguished. Gawin
Douglas who was afterwards bishop of Dunkeld; and Cardinal Beaton who held this along
with his other dignities and who appears during his incumbency to have alienated part of
the property of the abbey. After the Reformation the revenues and unalienated possessions
of this wealthy establishment were erected into a temporal lordship in favour of Lord Claude
Hamilton third son of the Duke of Chatelherault. Lord Arbroath is one of the present
titles of the Duke of Hamilton. These revenues afterwards came to the Earl of Dysart from
whom Patrick first Earl of Panmure in 1642 purchased them including the patronage
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