Fig. 475.—Arbroath Abbey. Caps of Doorway.
Of the conventual buildings only fragments now remain. An octagonal turret (see [Fig. 461]) marks the south-east corner of the chapter house with the south and east return walls, and adjoining the south transept is the slype, the walls of which determine the other walls of the chapter house. On the wall of the south transept is clearly seen the mark of the dormitory roof, with the door between the church and dormitory now built up.
A range of erections, and a lofty wall which formed the northern enclosure of the abbey precincts ([Fig. 476]), extend westwards from the church, in a line with the south aisle, for a distance of about 190 feet. This north wall, and a portion of the west wall proceeding southward from it, are all that remain of the extensive enclosure of the abbey, which is
Fig. 476.—Arbroath Abbey. North Enclosing Wall and Gateway.
said to have been of great height, and to have extended 1150 feet on the east and west, 760 feet on the north, and 480 feet on the south. There were great towers at the angles and entrance gateways on the north, and at the south-east angle. In the centre of the existing north wall is the portcullis entrance gatehouse, which is about 24 feet wide, with a vaulted enclosure about 65 feet long. The front wall ([Fig. 477]) is almost entire, and
Fig. 477.—Arbroath Abbey. Front of North Gatehouse.