This church (Fig. [1277]), like many of the collegiate edifices erected prior to this time, is cruciform in plan, consisting of chancel with apsidal east end, transept, and nave, with square tower over the crossing. There are no aisles in any part of the church.
It is supposed by Grose (who saw the building more than 100 years ago, before it was restored) that the nave, which is built with whinstone rubble work, was probably part of an original church which was enlarged by Lord Fleming, by the addition of a transept and chancel. This may have been the case, but the nave is now so completely altered and modernised that it is impossible to say. The chancel, transept, and tower
Fig. 1277.—Biggar Collegiate Church. Plan.
over the crossing are evidently of a different period from the nave, being all built with freestone ashlar.
The total length of the structure internally is 112 feet by 20 feet
Fig. 1278.—Biggar Collegiate Church. South Transept and Tower.
4 inches in width, but about 24 feet have been cut off the west end of the nave so as to form a lobby and staircase to a gallery and a vestry at the west end. A south-west porch gives access to these places. Formerly the