This church, from the circumstance of its castle-like appearance and its
possessing a complete dwelling-house over the transepts, was included in
_The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland_, Vol. II. p.
131, in which a full description of it is given, illustrated with
numerous drawings. The building is here introduced with the view of more
fully explaining some features formerly omitted, and also to form a
complete record of such an important example.
The new features introduced in the Plan (Fig. 1060) are the choir, the
nave, and an outbuilding to the north. The width and height of the choir
and the arch leading into it are clearly seen against the central tower
(Fig. 1061), while the lower part of the east wall and part of the north
wall of the choir are still standing, as shown in the Plan, although
reduced to only a few feet in height.
The present parish church (Fig. 1062) occupies the site of the nave, the
ancient splayed base being utilised in the north wall, where it is
visible along the whole length. It is also probable that the west end of
the present church corresponds with the position of the old west end. In
that case the dimensions were as follow, viz.:--The choir was about 63
feet 6 inches long by 25 feet 6 inches wide, and the nave was about 65
feet 6 inches long by 25 feet wide. The total length of the church was
158 feet 3 inches outside measure. The total length of the transept was
about 68 feet. There was apparently an aisle along the south side of the
nave, the beginning of the wall of which is visible on the Plan. A row
of buildings existed as a continuation northwards of the north transept,
and at a distance of about 31 yards northwards a portion of these
buildings still remains, measuring about 40 feet in length. The first
erection to the north of the transept had a window with stone seats
looking into the church, and it had also a communication with the house
over the church. There may thus have been a row of dormitories on the
upper floor extending northwards.
[Illustration: FIG. 1060.--Torphichen Church. Plan.]
[Illustration: FIG. 1061.--Torphichen Church. View from South-East.]
[Illustration: FIG. 1062.--Torphichen Church. View from South-West.]
[Illustration: FIG. 1063.--Torphichen Church. Transept, looking South.]
[Illustration: FIG. 1064.--Torphichen Church. Recess for Monument in
North Transept.]
Fig. 1063 is a general view of the transept looking towards the south,
and shows the recess for a tomb under the south window. Fig. 1064 is
[Illustration: FIG. 1065.--Torphichen Church. Doorway at North-West
Angle of Transept.]
an enlarged view of this tomb recess; the centre stone of the ogee arch
has dropped slightly, owing to a failure in the walls at the south-east
corner. The piscina alongside has a neatly constructed square basin.
Fig. 1065 shows the outside of an angular headed doorway near the
north-west corner of the transept. The doorway with the projecting hood,
seen alongside, leads into the staircase giving access to the house.
Measured drawings of these two last subjects were given in the account
already referred to.