These two churches are examples of the revived Gothic architecture of
post-Reformation times. The parish of Drainie was formed by the union of
the two old parishes of Kineddar and Ogstown. They both lie on the
Morayshire coast, about five to six miles north of Elgin, and fully two
miles from Lossiemouth. The country is low lying, and used in former
times to be marshy. Kineddar was a seat of the Bishopric of Moray before
it was moved to Spynie, and ultimately to Elgin. There too stood a large
fortified castle (of the first period), consisting of a great wall of
enceinte surrounded by a deep ditch, but it has now been taken down, and
the plough passes over the site. This castle formed the residence of
some of the Bishops of Moray before Spynie Palace was erected.
The Church of Drainie was built in 1666, and is a good example of the
period. It has evidently been designed to meet the requirements of the
Presbyterian service of the time (Fig. 1525). The pulpit would be in the
centre of the south wall, with a window placed on each side of it.
Beyond these, on either hand, are two doors, each admitting to a short
passage, which would give access to a central one. The main body of the
church is 62 feet in length by 24 feet in width, and in the centre of
the north side is a wing 24 feet by 18 feet. This wing or “aisle” is
spanned by a stone arch, which may have carried a gallery above, to
light which a small window is introduced in the north gable. The ground
floor of the north wing would be seated in the usual manner, and is
provided with an entrance door and two windows. Similar arrangements of
plan are common in the Scottish churches of post-Reformation times.
[Illustration: FIG. 1525.--Drainie Church. Plan.]
The windows and doors (Fig. 1526) have pointed arches, and the windows
are each divided by one mullion, which branches into two in the
arch-head. These door and window dressings are all chamfered on the
edges. The cornice is of classic form, and the gables are crow-stepped.
The west gable is finished on top with an ornamental belfry in the
Renaissance style of the period, in which some revival of Gothic
features was attempted.
* * * * *
MICHAEL KIRK.--About half a mile west from Drainie stood the ancient
church of Ogstown, the site of which is now occupied by the remarkable
specimen of revived Gothic shown in Fig. 1527. This edifice was erected
as a mausoleum for his family by Lodvic Gordon of Gordonston, an estate
in the vicinity. Mr. Gordon belonged to a branch of the
[Illustration: FIG. 1526.--Drainie Church. View from South-West.]
Sutherland family, the first baronet being Sir Robert Gordon, the author
of the _History of Sutherland_.
[Illustration: FIG. 1527.--Michael Kirk.