This edifice occupies a very picturesque situation on the summit of a
crag in the bosom of Arthur’s Seat, not far above the base of the hill.
Immediately to the north and west of the walls the ground descends in an
abrupt and precipitous manner, and to the south the surface, which
gradually rises, is rough and rocky (Fig. 1066); while on the east a
huge wall of rock towers high above the building, completely hemming it
in on that side.
Only the north wall of the chapel and the returns of the west and east
walls remain, together with the foundations of the south wall, enough,
however, to enable it to be determined fairly well what the completed
building was like. In the drawings (Fig. 1067) the indications existing
are completed and restored, so as to give a better idea of what the
structure was like than can be done by description alone. The present
condition of the edifice is shown in the ground Plan, section from east
to west and north elevation (Fig. 1068), and in the general view from
south-east (Fig. 1069). The building measures on the outside 43 feet in
length by 18 feet 3 inches in width, but the internal dimensions of the
chapel proper (see Plan) are only 32 feet 9 inches by 12 feet.
The chapel (see Fig. 1068) was divided into three bays by a vaulted and
groined ceiling, portions of the ribs of which, with their corbel
supports, still exist in the north wall. The height of the vaulting at
the wall is about 14 feet.
There was a window in the central and eastern bay of the north wall, and
a doorway in the west bay, and, according to Maitland,[79] the same
arrangement existed on the south side. There is a locker in the usual
place at the east end of the north wall. Maitland further says that in
the “southern wall near the altar is a small arched niche, wherein was
put the holy water.” This, however, does not now exist. There was a
priest’s house over the western bay, the size of which can still be
determined by the existing return of its east wall, as seen in the north
elevation, and the longitudinal section. Part of the building, at the
west end, on the ground floor, was screened off from the chapel by a
partition wall, of which the indications exist. On the ground floor this
was vaulted, as shown by
[Illustration: FIG. 1066.--St. Anthony’s Chapel. Plan of Site.]
section at tower, and contained a locker. Within this space at the
south-west corner there was, doubtless, a wheel stair, which by the
first revolution led to an entresol over the arched space just referred
to. This entresol was probably a garderobe, and was lighted by a small
window, shown on the Plans and Section. The stair, continuing upwards,
would land at the first floor over the chapel, which consisted of a room
about 15 feet by 13 feet, lighted by a north window. Adjoining this
window a portion of the north wall is thinned by about 15 inches at the
floor level so as to form a recess, which contains a window. Over this
the wall is carried at its usual thickness by a half arch, as shown by
the longitudinal section. Probably this recess was screened off from the
room to form a small closet. There was a fireplace in the west gable;
part of its flue still remains, with one of its corbels for supporting
the lintel and chimney breast. In the restored drawing (see Fig. 1067)
it is supposed that there was an upper room. Assuming that the
[Illustration: FIG. 1067.--St. Anthony’s Chapel. Suggested Restoration.]
first floor room was 10 feet high in the ceiling--and it is not likely
to have been higher--the height of the existing wall at the north-west
corner warrants this assumption, as above the 10 feet level it rises 3
feet more in its present broken down condition. That it rose to a higher
level than it does now is almost certain, in which case an upper room
would be obtained, as shown by section at tower (see Fig. 1067). This
corresponds with Maitland, who says that the tower was perhaps upwards
of 40 feet in height. The second floor room would, of course, be reached
by a continuation of the stair. At the staircase landing a small outside
bartizan is introduced in the restored drawing, such as is frequently
found in the pele towers. This arrangement of the two upper rooms is
similar to what is found in the church of the Carmelite Friars at South
Queensferry and at Torphichen, both of the same period as St. Anthony’s.
There is also, but on a more elaborate scale, something of the same
arrangement at Stobhall in Perthshire, already illustrated.[80]
To the south and west of the chapel there are remains of walls, and
particularly of what is called the hermitage (see Fig. 1066); but these
are very fragmentary, and so intermixed with the natural rock, which
crops up everywhere, that not much can be made out in connection with
them.
Of the origin of the chapel nothing appears to be known, and almost the
same may be said of its history. One of the earliest notices of it--if
not the earliest--occurs in the _Treasurer’s Accounts_ of 1473, as
follows--“Item, vj^{to} Februarij, to offir in Sanct Antonis in the
crag, to the King, xijs.” In the same accounts it is again referred to
in 1491 and 1496--“Item,
[Illustration: FIG. 1068.--St. Anthony’s Chapel. Plans, Section, and
North Elevation of Existing Structure.]
at he laid down for the King, on Sanct Anthonis day in Sanct Anthonis
chapel, besid Edinburgh, to the Kings offerand ixs.” Again in 1498, the
King (James IV.) made an offering in “Sanct Anthonis of the crag of xjs.
viijd.”
An exhaustive review of the present condition of the chapel and
hermitage, and an account of the various references to them by different
writers, has been prepared by Mr. Fred. R. Coles.[81] Mr Coles gives
reproductions of various old views, with notes on all the earlier known
drawings, as also observations on St. Anthony and churches dedicated to
him, and for further information on this subject we beg to refer readers
to this valuable paper.
Grose states that hermitages were frequently erected on the sea coast,
and at dangerous places, and that the patron or tutelary saint of these
hermitages was St. Anthony the hermit, and suggests that the situation
of St. Anthony’s on the crag which stands conspicuous from the Firth of
Forth
[Illustration: FIG. 1069.--St. Anthony’s Chapel. View from South-East.]
was perhaps chosen with the intention of attracting the notice of seamen
coming up the Firth, who, in cases of danger, might be induced to make
vows to its tutelar saint. There is a fine spring of clear water close
to the site, which may have led to the establishment of the hermitage
there. The building contains almost no features by which its date can be
ascertained, but it is here classed along with the buildings of the
third period, to some of which it bears in certain respects an analogy.