| | From the Royal Commission on Ancient & Historic Monumnets in Scotland (RCAHMS):
The ruins of Buittle Church dedicated to St. Colman, consist of a 13th century nave and a 14th century chancel. Though the detail would rather suggest an earlier date, it is possible that the addition dates from about 1381 when the church was given to Sweetheart Abbey. The nave has undergone frequent repair in later times; the west gable has a round-headed doorway and window which may have been reconstructed at a later period.
Historic Notes
Buittle Old Kirk was probably founded by Devorguilla Ballio lin the 13th Century, and at this stage only the Nave was constructed. It is not until the mid 14th Century that the Choir is built - the 18th October 1347 to be exact, when it is record that a great gathering took place at the church to dedicate the new Choir and pass the church to the monks at Sweatheart Abbey.
There have been many alterations to the structur over the years. There are records of of the church being used with a leaking roof,and major drafts. Lots of money was spent trying to solve the problems and between 1817 & 1819 the present Buittle Parish Church was built, with its chancel added in 1902.
The Nave
The west gable of the nave in the old kirk was rebuilt in 1743/5, while two blocked doors in the north wall may be original. In the south walla blocked door to the east and a window to the west may possibly be 16th century in origin.
The Choir
In the Choir the medieval features are a door the the north wall, along with a window to the east and the lancet windows in the east gable. The south wall was rebuilt in the 1740's and the door in the east gable was inserted between 1743 & 1745. The door in the south wall is dated to 1743 along with a rectangular window to it's west. The arch between the nave and the choir is original though may have been reused when the choir was built. |
