From Mr. Galloway’s explorations it was discovered that the foundations of the north wall of the north transept still exist, thus enabling the dimensions of the church to be determined. Both transepts had, as was very usual, only an eastern aisle.
To the south of the south transept some portions of the slype or passage from the cloisters to the eastern side of the monastery, and parts of the chapter house, yet remain. The slype has a plain semicircular arched doorway (see [Fig. 507]) next the cloister, and has had a stone bench or seat running along each side. The passage has been arched with a cradle vault in ashlar, of which a small portion still survives. The chapter house is in ruins, but the west wall ([Fig. 506]), which contains the semicircular entrance from the cloister and two semicircular windows, one on each side of the entrance, is still preserved. The windows were divided into two openings by a mullion and two plain arches. The doorway and double windows have numerous mouldings, and the doorway is enriched also on the inside ([Fig. 507].) The mouldings are bold, and the same mouldings are repeated in the jambs and arches. The caps are simple (see section in [Fig. 506]), but they are not adjusted to the mouldings of the jambs, having a plain soffit, against which the shafts and mouldings of the jambs butt. These are all indications of somewhat late design. As was usually the case, the doorway and side windows of the chapter house were left open; that is, without a door to close the doorway or glass in the windows, so that all that passed in the chapter house might be seen and heard from the cloister. The chapter house has been of quadrangular form, 19 feet in width by 38 feet 4 inches in length. Only the entrance front remains.
Fig. 504.—Kilwinning Abbey. South End of South Transept: Exterior.
Fig. 505.—Kilwinning Abbey. South End of South Transept: Interior.