St Peters-Section 12 Appendices - Historic Scotland

12. APPENDICES
CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT - VOLUME 1: ST PETER’S SEMINARY FEBRUARY 2008 284 Final Issue
12.3 Chronology
(Read in conjunction with Appendix 12.2 :Archaeological Assessment.)
13 th Century
Pre 1294
Kilmahew passed into the possession of John Napier. Old Cardross p. 10
During c13th lands in Cardross were being split up, and were passing from
the hands of the Earls of Lennox into those of others.
John Napier, who was later to distinguish himself in the War of
Independence, received from Malcolm, Earl of Lennox a charter of “the
quarter of land called Kylmethew.’ The History of Dumbartonshire., 1860
p.459
14 th Century
William Napier, added to the estate when he received charter from King
David II of the half lands of Kilmahew “where the chapel is situated.” The
History of Dumbartonshire, 1860 p. 459
‘… The chapel of St. Mahew, which gave its name to the surrounding
territory, was situated at the Kirkton of Kilmahew and was under the special
patronage of the Napier family.’ St Peter’s College Magazine, p. 5
15 th Century
Duncan Napier (son of John Napier)
Dugald Napier (son of William Napier)
John Napier
Duncan Napier (son of John)
1476 By the mid-15 th century the chapel must have been in ruins because it is
recorded that it was rebuilt in 1467 by the then Laird of Kilmahew, Duncan
Napier. www.napier.ac.uk/depts/clan_napier
1478 James Napier (son of James)
1496 Robert Napier
C15th Kilmahew Castle ‘It is perched in a strong position above a steep ravine
and forms an oblong block, now ruinous but surviving to the wallhead. The
southern end has been much altered and ‘gothicised’, but to the north and
east it remains authentic. It has been a tall keep of five storeys and a garret,
probably dating from the 15 th century, the walls crowned by the usual parapet
and walk, of which only the course of individual corbels survives. Most of
the windows, which have been small, have been built up, while more modern
ones have been opened.