(From a Drawing by Mr. T. S. Robertson.)
One of the most interesting and best preserved buildings is the abbot’s house on the south side of the cloister (see [Fig. 461]). It is three stories high, the two upper floors being converted into a modern private dwelling-house ([Figs. 478] and [479]). Having been used at one time as a thread manufactory, the house has been altered externally and spoiled of its ancient internal fittings, with the exception of two fine carved panels, one representing the Virgin ([Fig. 480]), and the other a large Scotch thistle ([Fig. 481]). The ground floor contains the kitchen—a fine apartment with central pillars supporting a groined roof—with a large arched fireplace in the west end. The other offices connected with the kitchen are all vaulted. The house is extremely picturesque and valuable, being the best preserved abbot’s house in Scotland.
Fig. 480.—Arbroath Abbey.
Carved Panel in Abbot’s House.
(From a Drawing by Mr. T. S. Robertson.)
During the 350 years of the existence of Arbroath Abbey many events happened entailing changes in the buildings. Thus, in 1272, a great fire occurred in the town, in which the abbey suffered. In particular the north-west tower is supposed to have been partly wrecked, and to have been rebuilt and carried to a greater height than formerly, or, at least, higher than the other tower. Again, in 1350, a grant was made by William, Bishop of St. Andrews, to enable the repairs to be completed of the “almost irreparable injuries” the abbey had suffered “from the frequent assaults of the English shipping.”[28] In 1380 the church was again injured by fire. So serious was this conflagration that the monks had to be distributed among other religious houses till the roofs of the choir, nave, and transepts were repaired. In connection with the repairs there is preserved in the Chartulary an interesting contract between
