Fig. 935.—Fearn Abbey. Plan.
There is nothing very distinctive of any particular period in the architecture, but the features correspond fairly well with the date assigned to the rebuilding of the abbey by the abbots Mark and Donald during the fourteenth century. The lanceolate form of the windows seems at first sight to indicate an earlier period, but, on careful inspection, it will be observed that there is no hood moulding, a feature almost universally used in first pointed work. Besides, the lancet form of window was employed in the north even as late as the sixteenth century, as in the west front of Beauly Priory, built by Bishop Reid about 1550. An ambry, piscina, and sedilia are still preserved in the south wall of the chancel.
The most important of the additions made to the main building is the
Fig. 936.—Fearn Abbey. View from North-East.
south wing or chapel, which was dedicated to St. Michael. This chapel is said to have been erected by Abbot Finlay M‘Fead, who died in 1485. It is 32 feet long by 23 feet wide, and has been connected to the church by an archway 14 feet in width. The walls of the aisle are now reduced to about 5 feet in height, and contain a doorway in the west side and an ambry on the east side. In the south wall is the monument to Abbot Finlay M‘Fead ([Fig. 937]). The canopy is segmental, and the mouldings are bold, but the enrichments are much decayed. On the shield over the centre of the arch the arms of the abbot are still legible—a stag behind a tree, with three stars in chief, and a crozier above. The inscription, which is much decayed, is said to be, “Hic jacet Finlaius M‘Fead abbas de Fern qui obiit anno MCCCCLXXXV.” It will be remembered that, through the liberality of this abbot, the monastery was much enriched. His effigy still rests, though much mutilated, in its original place.