Fig. 539.—Inchmahome Priory. Mouldings of West Doorway.
constructed and enclosed between two high walls leading up to it. This was, no doubt, erected with the materials of the demolished monastic buildings right through the centre of what was the cloister garth. This enclosure is said to have been erected in haste to receive the remains of Lord Kilpont, son of the first Earl of Menteith and Airth, who was assassinated in the camp of Montrose at Collace, in 1644, by Stewart of Ardvoirlich; a weird Highland story, on which Scott has founded his romance of The Legend of Montrose. The body was sent home to his father, then a State prisoner in his own castle of Talla, and was buried here.
Fig. 540.—Inchmahome Priory. North-West Tower.
In the choir are the graves of some of the most distinguished men of the families of Comyn, Stewart, Drummond, and Graham, with numerous monuments, much defaced—amongst others, that of Walter Stewart, fifth Earl of Menteith and his Countess ([Figs. 541] and [542]). The Earl was one of the most historic men of his day. He was present at the battle of Largs, in 1263; he was a witness to the marriage of the Princess Margaret to Eric of Norway, 1281; and he was a distinguished crusader under Louis IX.
Fig. 541.—Inchmahome Priory. Monument of Fifth Earl and Countess of Menteith.