The windows of the clerestory (three on each side), which are now concealed by the roof, are peculiar in their arrangement, being placed over the piers instead of over the centre of the arches, as is usual. Externally they have plain splays, and internally they seem to have been richer, but are now obscured by plaster. The windows and the dog-toothed cornice seem to point to an early date.
Fig. 608.—Brechin Cathedral. View from South-East.
The only parts of the interior of the nave spared during the above restoration are the main piers, of which there are eight ([Fig. 609]), with four responds. Two of these piers seem to indicate, from their form, so far as not damaged, that this part of the structure must originally have been of first pointed work. The piers on the south side are octagonal, and those on the north side are alternately octagonal and clustered. A remarkable feature of the building is observed in connection with these piers, those of the south side, together with the arcade above them, being considerably thinner than those of the corresponding parts of the north side. As the clerestory walls above are the same on both sides, it is difficult to account for the difference in size of the piers. The interior of the nave is 83 feet 6 inches in length by 57 feet 6 inches in breadth. Fortunately part of the west end has not been interfered with,
Fig. 609.—Brechin Cathedral. Plan.