The book Arran; - Cook Clan

CHURCHES BEFORE THE REFORMATION 79
probably as a result of its definite annexation to the kingdom
of Scotland. The line of division is significant ; it runs
irregularly from north to south, from Loch Ranza to Dippin,
following the higher ground of the watershed ; and while
the mother church of the one, at Kilbride, is roughly central,
that of the other, Kilmorie, is at the southern extremity.
The motive of this form of parochial division is obviously
the same as in the case of the early bishoprics ;
communica-
tion was easiest by water, and certainly easier along the shore
margin ; cross-wise Arran is stiffly barred by its mountain
ridge : even now only two main roads, from Brodick and
Lamlash, venture over the passes that separate adjoining
glens. Intermediary chapels gave some ease, but the re-
spective parsons must have found themselves in the difficulty
of Chaucer's model :
' Wyd was his parisshe, and houses fer
asonder,' at least if they possessed that parson's excellent
qualities of character and conscience.
Of both parishes the early records are most scanty,
particularly in the case of Kilbride. Apparently the plain
little church we now see in a roofless, dilapidated condition
was not that in which Sir Maurice served as vicar, for, as
far as can be judged, it seems to be of the following century,
the fourteenth. No doubt its position has some bearing on
the situation of the earlier village, not the lean long line that
is modern Lamlash, but the 'kirktoun of Kilbride,' probably
scattered rather about the mouth of the shallow depression
through which runs the highway to Brodick ; and the building
would have to serve that hamlet too. In those days
church-going was less of a popular function, more of an
intermittent ritualistic duty. Birth and marriage and death
the great determin-
called for the attentions of Holy Kirk ;
ing festivals, Christmas and Easter, demanded observance ;
devout individuals, the sacred rites themselves, needed no
congregational countenance before the altar ; holy days
were holi-days ; round the precincts of the building, rather