of small size, being about 45 feet long by 24 feet wide.[158] There is a
sundial on the wall-head of the south wall at the east end. At the north
corner of the east end there are indications of a wall with a splayed
base having extended eastwards.
In the interior of the church a modern arched recess (or what appears on
the face as modern) contains the recumbent figure of a prioress (Fig.
1344). It measures 6 feet long, and is in good preservation. There
appears to have been a dog lying at her feet, but it has been knocked
off.
About a quarter of a mile to the south of the church, on the slope of a
hill, there are the foundations of a chapel (Fig. 1345) measuring about
38 feet long by 15 feet wide internally. The end walls are each about 5
feet thick, and the side walls about 3 feet. Nothing else belonging to
the church remains, except a few fragments of what was probably a
circular font, and a window sill lying amongst the ruins. It shows that
the window was eight inches wide. A plain slab 6 feet long by 18 inches
wide lies in the centre of the building.
The Convent of St. Bothan’s was founded by Ada, daughter of William the
Lion, in 1184. She married Patrick, Earl of Dunbar, and they made
adequate endowments to the convent.[159] According to Chalmers there was
a previous church here, dedicated to St. Bothan,
[Illustration: FIG. 1345.--Abbey St. Bathans. Plan of Chapel.]
which was probably given to the Countess Ada’s nuns. It is just possible
that the second church, noticed above, may be the church referred to.