In a charter of confirmation, nineteen years later, Gilbert, in addition to his former liberality, grants to Inchaffray, “Ecclesiam sancti servani de Dunnyne,” the “church dedicated to St. Servanus, or Serf, at Dunning;” so that we have here proof of the existence of a church at Dunning in the year 1219, and it may be inferred that it did not exist in the year 1200, from its not being mentioned in the charters of that year. The date, therefore, of the erection of this church is narrowed to the early years of the thirteenth century, and there need be no hesitation in assigning to that time the present tower and certain other portions of
Fig. 172.—St. Serf’s, Dunning. Plan.
the structure. This tower, although similar in general form to those at Muthill and Dunblane, is considerably later in date. It is an example of Norman work continuing to be used in Scotland for some years after 1200, the pointed form of the arch being the only indication of the coming change of style.
The tower ([Fig. 171]), which is of Norman architecture, is placed at the west end of the church ([Fig. 172]). It is built in three unequal tapering stages, and without buttresses, to a height of about 75 feet to the ridge. The two stories above the church roof have small square-lintelled windows, but in the belfry stage double windows are introduced ([Fig. 173]). Both lights are contained within a plain square-edged round arch, without imposts, and the two lights, which have plain round arches, are separated by a central shaft with cushion cap. The crow-stepped gablets of the saddle-backed roof are probably of later date, but they, no doubt, indicate the original style of finishing the tower. The turret stair, shown on plan (see [Fig. 172.]) stops about half-way up, access above being obtained by wooden ladders. The elaborately-carved and pointed archway ([Fig. 174]), opening from the tower into the church, is a most noteworthy
Fig. 173.—St. Serf’s, Dunning. South-East View of Tower.