St Peters-Section 12 Appendices - Historic Scotland

Detail of the upper part of the E side of the first floor entrance
It is clear that at ground floor level the existing western extension of the S frontage was what was
required structurally to support the existing masonry of the first floor entrance. However construction
seems to have been abandoned at this point in the project, the structure left incomplete.
It is evident there must have been some form of stair intended in the centre of the S frontage. If
completed, this elevation would doubtless have been a very fine if whimsical composition. However,
in its abandoned state it now perfectly fulfils another 18 th century ideal, that of the sublime gothic
folly-ruin.
At the third floor level at the SW corner a tusking has been left for the continuation of frontage further
W.
It seems possible that the eastern part of the intended gothic mansion had actually been largely
completed perhaps even roofed before the project was abandoned. Internally there are sockets for floor
structures, at first floor and third floor levels.
Additional notes:
The secondary entrance in the centre of the E wall is detailed with inserted dressings that are neatly
drove tooled with a 10 cm margin and more coarsely tooled beyond. Of similar detailing had been the
former window at the N end of the E wall (the high sill here indicates that this had been intended as a
window).
Dating and inspiration
CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT - VOLUME 1: ST PETER’S SEMINARY FEBRUARY 2008 278 Final Issue
It is tempting to associate the abortive rebuilding of Kilmahew Castle with George Maxwell Napier 1
who inherited Kilmahew in 1694 and died, childless, in 1744. He was unusually extravagant and
started to sell off lands to settle his debts as early as 1705, and again in 1721 and 1735. Did his
extravagance extend to a scheme for the old castle? If dating to before 1744 this would make the
Kilmahew building project an exceptionally early example of the Gothick. The flamboyance of the
building may well have been in accord with Maxwell Napier’s tastes.
In architectural terms, if this remodelling had occurred before 1744 it would be an exceptionally early
example of a major structure built in the Gothic. The two principal early proponents of the style,
William Kent and Batty Langley both began to experiment with the Gothic Mode in the 1730s,
Langley publishing his influential treatise in 1741-2. 2 The character of the incomplete Kilmahew
frontage is very reminiscent of Langley’s style, described by Colvin as engaging but unscholarly
designs. Equally applicable to the architecture of Kilmahew is Colvin’s further observation on
William Kent,
his pioneer Gothic designs … show him exercising a fancy uncontrolled by Palladian constraints
and establish him as the creator of an English rococo Gothick happily free from antiquarian
preoccupations.
Gothic revival detailing had been employed in Scotland from the 1740s, Roger Morris’ Inverary
Castle being the pre-eminent example. Indeed close comparison of the detailing of the windows and
external facades of Inverary bring up many similarities and common nuances, as well as clustered
columns flanking the principal entrance. A drawing of Inveraray by John Douglas bears a particular
similarity, as does one of his for Archerfield House in East Lothian, also in the gothick style (John
Douglas Collection, NMRS) 3 .
Inveraray Castle, Argyll, by John Douglas (©RCAHMS)
12. APPENDICES
1 George’s mother Margaret Napier married Patrick Maxwell of Newark and George was their first son. Under the
conditions of ‘entail’, assumed the name and arms of Napier of Kilmahew.
2 Batty and Thomas Langley Ancient Architecture Restored, and Improved, by A Great Variety of Grand and usefull Designs,
Entirely New In the Gothick Mode For the Ornamenting of Buildings and Gardens
3 I am indebted to Simon Green of the RCAHMS for his suggestion of a John Douglas connection.