CHAPEL AT LINTON, in Shapinsay.
This chapel is near the shore at the south-east part of the island. It consists of nave and chancel, and stands nearly exactly east and west. ([Fig. 90.]) The extreme length is 35 feet 9 inches, and the width 19 feet
Fig. 90.—Linton Chapel. Plan and Elevations.
5 inches. About 7 feet in height of the east end of the nave, including the arch into the chancel ([Fig. 91]), remains; but of the rest only about 2 feet and 3 feet remain. It is built of whinstone without any freestone dressings.
The nave is 18 feet by 13 feet 7 inches inside. The walls are 3 feet thick.
Fig. 91.—Linton Chapel. View.
The entrance is in the south wall near the west angle, differing in this point from most of the early chapels, and is 2 feet 8 inches wide with parallel unrebated jambs.[127] The upper part of the entrance is gone, but probably it was a semicircular arch. ([Fig. 92.]) Nothing can be stated
Fig. 92.—Linton Chapel. Section and Elevations.
Fig. 92.—Linton Chapel. Section and Elevations.
Fig. 92.—Linton Chapel. Section and Elevations.
Fig. 92.—Linton Chapel. Section and Elevations.
Fig. 92.—Linton Chapel. Section and Elevations.
of the windows. The chancel arch (see [Fig. 92.]) is semicircular, of rough stone, 3 feet wide, with plain parallel jambs, and the arch is set back on the jambs at the impost, which is about 5 feet 6 inches high from the supposed floor of the nave. The inside is much filled with rubbish. It is uncertain whether there was a step at the chancel arch. The chancel is 7 feet 6 inches by 7 feet inside, narrower than the nave by the thickness of the walls. The north and south walls are 2 feet 10 inches thick, and the east wall 3 feet 4 inches. Only about 2 feet in height of the east wall remains, though within the memory of man the east gable was standing and a cross on it.
Nothing can be stated of the windows. The exterior length of the nave and the interior width are in the proportion of the vesica piscis. The chancel is nearly square.
This chapel bears close resemblance in form and size to Wyre Chapel, and is probably about the same date. It is supposed by the owner that Linton Farm formed part of St. Catherine’s lands, and that this chapel was dedicated to that Saint.