The site of the ancient Church of St. Maelrubba, at the head of Loch
Eynort in the south of Skye, is now occupied by a more recent ruin.[147]
A very interesting relic of the ancient church is, however, preserved in
the remarkable font (Figs. 1314 and 1315), which, after some wandering
and neglect, has at last found a suitable resting-place in the Museum of
the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in Edinburgh. An account of its
transference from the shore of Loch Eynort to the Museum is given by Mr.
J. Russell Walker, in a paper on “Scottish Baptismal Fonts” in the
_Proceedings_ of that Society, 1886-7, p. 412. The bowl is circular,
both externally and internally, and the basin is 1 foot 6½ inches in
diameter and 13 inches deep. The circumference is divided into four
equal parts by four figures representing--(1) The Crucifixion, (2) The
Blessed Virgin with the Child, (3) a mitred bishop in full canonicals
with a crosier in his left hand, and (4) St. Michael slaying the dragon.
The panels to the right and left of the Crucifixion are filled with
interlaced work, and those to the right and left of the bishop with
inscriptions not now legible. On the lower sloping parts between the
figures are floral designs. The font is of hornblende gneiss, and the
carving is remarkable in that hard material. There seem
[Illustration: FIG. 1314.--St. Maelrubba. Font.]
to be the remains of four caps, as if there had been four shafts to
support the bowl.
[Illustration: FIG. 1315.--St. Maelrubba. Font.]
The carving of this font is a striking illustration of the peculiar
mixture of Celtic and Gothic work, of which numerous specimens are above
noticed in connection with the structures of the Western Highlands and
Islands, as at Iona, Rowdil, &c.
* * * * *
The examples of the third or late pointed period of Gothic architecture
given above sufficiently indicate the progress of the style during the
period, and show its gradual decline.
The following examples of this period, being for the most part
fragmentary, are arranged alphabetically by counties.