The old country town of Meigle is situated in the middle of Strathmore,
not far from Alyth Junction on the railway between Perth and Forfar.
The church stood in the middle of the village, and was rebuilt about
the beginning of this century. When the old building was demolished, a
font was dug out of the rubbish and erected on a pedestal in the
minister’s garden. It remained there for a time, but when an Episcopal
chapel was built, the font was removed into it, and is now in use there.
It is one of the best specimens of an old font now remaining in
Scotland,
[Illustration: FIG. 1480.--Meigle Church Font.]
and it evidently belongs to a late period, probably sixteenth century.
The font is octagonal and made of one stone. It is 2 feet 3 inches in
diameter, and the basin measures 1 foot 9 inches across. Each of the
sides of the octagon contains an arch with carved crockets, and the
angles are marked by small buttresses and pinnacles. The carved work has
been very spirited, but is now much damaged. In each arch is a
bas-relief containing emblems and scenes connected with the Passion.
[Illustration: FIG. 1481.--Meigle Church Font.]
Fig. 1480 shows three sides, which represent--(1) the Crucifixion, (2)
the seamless coat and the scourges and dice, (3) the Resurrection. Fig.
1481 shows--(4) the Cross and crown of thorns, (5) the pierced hands,
feet, and heart (showing the five wounds of the Passion), (6) the pillar
with the rope twisted round it, and the cock on the top. The seventh
side contains the ladder and the spear, reed, and sponge arranged
saltierwise, and the eighth the three nails and the hammer.
These sculptures are all well preserved and well executed, but whether
of native workmanship or not it is impossible to say.