This is a private chapel in the beautiful grounds of Fordel Castle,[234]
about two miles north from Inverkeithing. It bears the date of 1650, and
tradition has it that the works were interrupted by Cromwell’s soldiers.
The edifice is now used as a mortuary chapel by the proprietors of
Fordel House.
[Illustration: FIG. 1540.--Fordel Chapel. Plan.]
The structure bears the mark of the period when it was erected in the
mixed style of its architecture, being partly an imitation of Gothic and
partly Renaissance. It measures (Fig. 1540) about 40 feet in length by
16 feet in width internally, and is a simple oblong in plan, with a
doorway in the centre of the south side. It is lighted (Fig. 1541) by
four symmetrically arranged windows in the south side, one in the centre
of the north side, and a large three-light window at each end. The
windows are divided by mullions, and have a species of tracery in the
round arch-heads.
The west gable is crowned with a belfry having a small spire. The stone
cresting on the ridge has the small ornaments common at the period.
[Illustration: FIG. 1541.--Fordel Chapel.]
Over the doorway (Fig. 1542) are the quaintly carved arms of J.
Henderson and his wife, M. Monteath (the Hendersons being the ancient
[Illustration: FIG. 1542.--Fordel Chapel. Arms over Doorway.]
proprietors of the domain), with their initials and the date 1650. The
same initials are repeated on tablets both on the exterior and interior
of the chapel.