The first pointed style, in which all the above structures were carried out, reached Scotland, as already mentioned,[9] through England. The relation between the ecclesiastics of the two countries was then very close, the monasteries being colonised from English houses, and the cathedral rules being based on the uses of those of England.
Hence, as might be expected, the connection of the style of architecture adopted in Scotland with that of England is at this period very intimate, almost the only difference observable being that the first pointed work in Scotland is rather later than that in England, and that the Norman and transition features are more slowly rejected. We find the same desire in both countries to render their principal ecclesiastical structures complete and varied. We have no cathedrals in Scotland which can vie with Salisbury, Lincoln, or York in size and magnificence, or in the possession of double transepts. The Scottish cathedrals and abbeys, however, were, for the most part, complete in all departments, having choir and nave with side aisles (and, in the case of Elgin Cathedral, with double aisles to the nave); a presbytery of one or two bays without aisles, but with large windows on three sides; well-marked transepts with eastern aisle; generally a large central tower over the crossing, and frequently two western and other towers.
Great central towers over the crossing of the first pointed period formerly existed at St. Andrews and Elgin Cathedrals, and at Dundrennan, Arbroath, Holyrood, Kilwinning, and Dunfermline Abbeys, but of these not a vestige now remains. The only central towers which now survive are those of Glasgow Cathedral and Pluscardine Abbey, which are carried on the arches of the crossing. There is also a central tower at Culross Abbey which rises with solid walls from the foundation. The central towers of Kirkwall and Dornoch Cathedrals have been rebuilt.
Of the other towers which once adorned our churches there still remain the two noble western towers of Elgin Cathedral, and one of the western towers of Holyrood Abbey. At both of these edifices the towers were carried up with solid walls from the foundation. In other examples, of which, however, only fragments survive, such as Arbroath and Kilwinning Abbeys, the towers opened with arches into the central and side aisles, so that the space occupied by the towers was included in the church. At Kilwinning the arch in the towers next the nave appears to have been carried to a great height, so as to form a kind of western transept. At Inchmahome Priory there are remains of one western tower, which was included in the nave. At Cambuskenneth Abbey a large detached tower exists close to the west end, and at Lindores Abbey there are remains of one western tower.
The dependent buildings were also usually numerous and complete, the cathedrals and abbeys being almost all provided with large cloister garths, surrounded by handsome chapter houses, refectories, guest houses, &c. The chapter houses are generally square, and vaulted from one central pillar; but that of Elgin Cathedral is detached and octagonal, with vaulting springing from a lofty central column. The western portals are generally important, those of Elgin Cathedral and Holyrood Abbey being specially fine. That of Kirkwall Cathedral, already described,[10] is the finest of this period.
The Norman round apse gives place at this time, as in England, to the square east end, and there is in the first pointed period no indication of a round or multangular chevet like those in France.
The similarity of all the details of the architecture of Scotland to that of England has already been fully explained.[11]
The Scottish churches are comparatively low in the vaulting; they do not exhibit the soaring ambition of those of France, but are, like the churches of the sister country, comparatively moderate in height. The buttresses are simple and plain, and flying buttresses and pinnacles are occasionally used. The caps are round on plan, and have foliage founded on that of the early first pointed style in England.
The windows are almost always of the lancet form, several being often grouped together, and some incipient forms of tracery are attempted, as at Dunblane and Glasgow Cathedrals.
In the piers the massive round columns of the Norman style are abandoned, and clustered shafts are used, which give a lighter character to the interior. The sections of these piers are exceedingly simple and effective. They are usually illustrated in connection with each edifice, and they have all a general resemblance to each other. The section consists of one larger attached shaft (usually brought to an acute edge in the centre) on each of the four cardinal faces, and one or two intermediate smaller shafts between the four principal shafts, either separated by square fillets or without such fillets. In the later examples the sharp keel edge on the face of the shafts becomes a fillet.