the arches being also taken down and rebuilt at the new height, as shown in Fig. 892. The outer walls of the aisles were also carried up about 3 feet, the buttresses being heightened at the same time, and finished with new pinnacles of a totally different design from the old ones
Fig. 895.—The Parish Church, Haddington. West Doorway.
([Fig. 893]), some of which still remain on the buttresses of the choir ([Fig. 894]). The latter are in character with the pinnacles of the late pointed period in Scotland, while the new pinnacles of the nave are of a quite different description. At the time of these alterations the opportunity was taken to introduce a perforated and crenellated parapet, evidently copied from some English example.
These alterations were only carried out in 1811, but the white stone used being of a soft character, the work has now a weather-worn and ancient appearance, which renders the distinction between the old and new work somewhat difficult. The drawing of the church by Grose, and a view in Dr. Barclay’s paper in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, show the condition of the nave before the alterations of 1811 took place, proving that the buttresses, &c., then erected are new.
The west front (see [Fig. 893]) has, fortunately, not been so much interfered with. This elevation is specially characteristic of Scottish design. It contains the main doorway of the building ([Fig. 895]), in which the circular arch (so often employed, especially in the doorways of Scottish churches) is used; but it is enriched with the mouldings and ornaments of the late decorated style (see [Fig. 896]). The mouldings and foliage of the caps are specially striking and characteristic, while the large leaves introduced amongst the arch mouldings are somewhat late in design. The large arch is divided into two smaller openings by a central pillar, the cap of which is of good design. It contains a shield (see [Fig. 896]), surrounded with foliage, on which are carved the crown of thorns, with a heart in the centre, and two hands and feet and the nails, all emblems of the Passion.
Above the west doorway there is a very large pointed window (see [Fig. 893]), filled with mullions and tracery. The wide opening is divided into two sections by a large central mullion, branching into two arches at top; and these subdivisions each contain smaller tracery. It has been suggested that this west window has been heightened, the jambs being so low up to the caps and the pointed arch above so high; but there is no apparent alteration to justify this view. This form of window is not infrequent in late Scottish architecture, as at Paisley transept, Seton Chapel, &c.
The parapet above the window is evidently modern, and the gable has doubtless been heightened.