The town of Biggar lies in a valley in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire,
through which communication is obtained between the upper reaches of the
Clyde and the Tweed. From an early period Biggar was a rectory in the
Deanery of Lanark. The parson of Biggar is mentioned in deeds of the
twelfth century, and several of the rectors held important appointments
at Court.
In 1545 the Church of St. Nicholas was founded and endowed by Malcolm,
Lord Fleming, the Lord High Chancellor of Scotland. The charter of
foundation still exists. It was addressed by Lord Fleming to Cardinal
Beaton, and states that the church was to be erected in honour of the
Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Nicholas the patron of
Biggar, and St. Ninian. The purpose of the foundation was to support a
provost, eight canons or prebendaries, four singing boys, and six poor
nuns, and the presentations and endowment of these officials were
reserved to the Lord Fleming. The special duties of the prebendaries
were as follow:--The first prebendary was to instruct the singing boys
in music, the second was to be master of the grammar school, the third
was to act as sacristan--to ring the bell, to light the tapers on the
four altars, and to attend to the vestments and ornament thereof--and
the fourth prebendary had charge of the poor nuns and gave them their
allowances. A hospital was to be provided for the poor nuns, and
suitable houses were to be erected for the provost and canons.
During the progress of the work, Malcolm, Lord Fleming, died. The
building was carried on by his son, and scarcely completed before the
Reformation supervened to interrupt the work.[133]
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
[Illustration: FIG. 1277.--Biggar Collegiate Church. Plan.]
over the crossing are evidently of a different period from the nave,
being all built with freestone ashlar.