TYNNINGHAME CHURCH, Haddingtonshire.
The few relics which survive of this ancient monastery lie buried in a thick clump of trees, which stands between the modern mansion of Tynninghame and the river Tyne, about three miles north-east from East Linton. This was one of the churches dedicated to St. Baldred, of which there were several on the East Coast. That Saint seems to have selected the Bass Rock as his place of abode, whence his fame spread through the adjoining regions. He is believed to have come from the establishment of the Columbans at Lindisfarne, whose diocese extended as far as the Frith of Forth. He died in 606. The foundation of Tynninghame was laid by St. Baldred, or Blathere,[178] and the church continued as a separate parish till 1760, when it was united to Whitekirk.
Fig. 283.—Tynninghame Church. Plan.
What remains of the structure is of Norman architecture, and exhibits elaborate ornamental work of that style. The plan of the church ([Fig. 283]) is in part still traceable. The west end of the choir, with its great arch ([Fig. 284]), is fairly preserved, and the outline of a rectangular choir, about 18 feet in length by 17 feet in width, is observable, although the side walls are greatly demolished.
Fig. 284.—Tynninghame Church. West End of Choir.
The nave, if it ever existed, has entirely disappeared. At the east end an enriched chancel arch still survives ([Fig. 285]), and also portions of pillars, which indicate that there has been an eastern apse.
The western arch (see [Fig. 284.]) is supported on a series of nook shafts, some of which are broken away. These carry simply formed caps, with
Fig. 285.—Tynninghame Church. Arch of Apse.
square abacus, carved with scale work. The arch contains three orders enriched with ornaments and a label. The first and third orders are enriched with very elaborate chevron ornaments; the central order has the billet and the hood mould, a series of small semicircles placed back to back. An arched recess occurs in the wall at each side of the central arch. That on the north side is original, and is ornamented with the chevron. The arch on the south side has been renewed. It is not clear what purpose these arches served, but most probably they contained altars. Arched recesses in this position, although not common, are sometimes found in Norman churches. The arch of the apse (see [Fig. 285.]) is enriched in three orders, and the caps of the shafts have volutes ([Fig. 286]). Two of the pillars which formed part of the apse survive. The details of the caps and central band are shown in Fig. 286.
Many of the smaller ornaments of this structure are very beautiful, and are well preserved. On the south side (see [Fig. 284.]) there remains the recessed pointed arch of a monument, in which parts of a decayed recumbent effigy are visible. The three shields on the top give it a picturesque effect.
Fig. 286.—Tynninghame Church. Caps in Apse.
The ruined church is now used as the family mausoleum of the Earls of Haddington.