St Kentigern's

A hibernating and domestic day, but as I had to pop to the printers I thought I'd detour to the old graveyard for a 'one street' shot. This is the ruin of St Kentigern's church, and is the only medieval church in Scotland dedicated to St Kentigern under his own proper name. There are many others dedicated to him under the name of St Mungo.

Tradition tells that it was founded by the Saint himself, shortly before he died in 603AD, although the ruins today date from around 1180. The church is a fine example of transitional architecture, from Norman to early Gothic. The Norman style features are the insides of the windows. The outer parts of the windows are Gothic in style as is the South doorway. This doorway is regarded as one of the finest examples of late 12th Century doorways in the whole of the UK.

Tradition also says that this was where William Wallace married Marion Braidfute. Whether true or not, nobody knows, but it is likely that Wallace worshipped at St Kentigern's.

The sun has just made an appearance, but it is deceiving - it is still bitterly cold. Time to light the stove!