caithness-1911/05_064

Transcription

INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. [Page] 7

PARISH OF BOWER.

finished, and rubber smooth, one having a false boring in the middle;
a very small and neatly fashioned comb of bone, with an open semi-
circular handle; a bead of blue vitreous paste, enamelled with a
yellow spiral ornament on three sides; and a very neatly fashioned
bronze pin 3" long, having an annular head, with ribbed ornamenta-
tion on the upper part set on a short rectangular projection from the
stalk. Several large stone vessels, or vats, one of which was 3' deep,
were also found. Most of these objects are preserved in the National
Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh.
See Archaeologia Scotica, v., part i. p. 143; Antiquaries, ix. p. 247
(pin illus.).
O.S.M., CAITH., xii.

PARISH OF CANISBAY.

ECCLESIASTICAL STRUCTURES.

23. Canisbay Church. - This church (fig. 2) is situated on the N.
coast, some 2 m. W. of John O' Groat's. Being covered with

[Drawing inserted]
FIG. 2. - Canisbay Church, previous to the last alteration (No. 23).

harling, and the architectural details few, the date of its erection is
somewhat difficult to determine. Further, it has undergone altera-
tion at various periods, particularly in the 18th century, as evidenced
by the dates 1720 and 1724 on the skew puts of the nave and S.
transept respectively. It also received very extensive repairs in
1832-33 , as well as in recent years. There are indications, not with-
standing, that the original structure dates from before the Reforma-
tion, and probably from the 15th century. The plan discloses an
affinity to that of many other churches in Scotland of this period
and earlier. It is an oblong structure, measuring some 84' x 24',
with S. and N. transepts (the latter, however, of later date), and a
tower in the centre of the W. front. This tower is the feature
most indicative of pre-Reformation date. It is an absolutely plain
structure, unrelieved by mouldings or string courses, with a few
small windows at the bell chamber in the roof. The roof is of the
saddle-back type, running as usual in line with the roof of the church.
The tower measures 14' 6" square, with walls of 2' 6" in thickness.