tower were, by excavation, ascertained to exist. The mouldings and caps of the existing piers and arch all belong to the first pointed period, but from having been long exposed to the weather, they are considerably decayed. The mouldings on the west angle of the pier are carried up to a great height without any caps (see [Fig. 502]). The caps would, doubtless, be placed at a higher point than the shafts now reach to. This indicates that the arches of the towers on the side next the central aisle of the nave were very high, probably reaching to the level of the clerestory arch, and thus effectually including the space of the towers in the nave. This arrangement of the tower arches next the nave is quite unique, and would give the appearance of a western transept at the entrance to the church.
Fig. 503.—Kilwinning Abbey. West End: Interior.
The north-west tower has entirely disappeared, but its position has been ascertained to have corresponded with that of the south tower. Above the existing arch from the tower into the south aisle, and on the east side of it, a small portion of an arch of the triforium may still be observed ([Fig. 503]). A small shaft with cap and a portion of the arch yet remain. In Grose’s view some fragments of the clerestory are also shown, but they no longer exist. To the north of the south tower pier a strong wall, 6 feet in thickness, has been erected across what was originally part of the nave. This, Mr. Galloway thinks, was probably built as a reparation of the fourteenth century, the structure having probably suffered injury during the wars of independence. Whether the wall was erected at that time or not, there can be little doubt that it was constructed after the demolition of the original west front and tower, as a substitute for the former. The wall is built across the church between the east faces of the two towers, thus leaving the high arches of the towers, if they then existed, outside the edifice. It seems probable, however, that the south tower had by that time been partially demolished, and its ruins have remained ever afterwards exposed to the weather. Hence the extremely weather worn appearance the stones now present. The north tower, we know, remained complete till this century. It is shown by Grose, and an account exists of its being struck by lightning in 1805, and of its fall five years thereafter. A new tower has, in recent times, been erected on the site of the old north tower.
This renewed west wall has a plain pointed doorway and a lofty double window (see [Figs. 502] and [503]), with a simple mullion and transome of rather indefinite design. The doorway is extremely plain and small, being only about 3 feet in width, and having a double splay on the jambs and arch.
The nave seems to have consisted of seven bays in addition to the towers, and was of unusual width. A considerable portion of the south wall of the south aisle survives, and still retains the corbels which carried the vault of the south aisle. This wall, no doubt, formed the north side of the cloister walk, and contained the fine doorway from the cloister to the nave, shown in Fig. 500. Some traces of late Norman work are, as already noticed, observable here. The arch is pointed, and contains four orders of mouldings. The label is enriched with the dog-tooth, while the other ornaments, as well as the details of the caps and bases, are of a somewhat Norman character. The design of this doorway is thus in the transition style, while the remainder of the building is all of early pointed work. The undercut cross bars, which formed a chevron enrichment rising above a roll, have all been knocked off, only the stumps being left. One of the caps contains traces of two figures, and the ornamentation of the bases is peculiar (see enlarged sketches in [Fig. 500]). Two plain round headed doorways can be traced in the south wall of the nave, near its west end. They doubtless led from the nave into the cloister.
Modern buildings now occupy the site of the cloisters, and the old cloister wall is incorporated with them. One of these houses bears the date of 15—, and comprises some of the plain vaulted structures which appear to have formerly been part of the abbey buildings.
The south wall of the south transept, with its gable ([Fig. 504]), is, fortunately, fairly well preserved, and forms a lofty and prominent object in the landscape, rising to a height of about 90 feet. Its triple lancets, with their plain chamfers on the outside, and bold mouldings in the interior ([Fig. 505]), and circular light above, are characteristic of thirteenth century work. The mouldings and dog-tooth enrichments of the arch of the eastern aisle (see [Fig. 505]) are indications of the same period. Similar mouldings and ornaments have been carried up into the triforium, and remains of a circular cusped opening are visible in the east wall above. One arch of the arcade of the east aisle, with one pier and respond, still survive. All the work connected with them is of fine first pointed design. A doorway in the south-west angle of the transept led to the stair to the upper parts of the structure, and, doubtless, also to the dormitory over the chapter house, &c.