Alternative Names St Maru's Kirk; 'Gunner's Storehouse'
Site type CHAPEL
Canmore ID 52091
Site Number NT27SE 1.03
NGR NT 25152 73501
Council EDINBURGH, CITY OF
Parish EDINBURGH (EDINBURGH, CITY OF)
Former Region LOTHIAN
Former District CITY OF EDINBURGH
Former County MIDLOTHIAN

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Archaeological Notes

NT27SE 1.03 25152 73501

St Margaret's Chapel (NR).
OS 1:500 plan, (1895).

Name changed from St Maru's Kirk. Demolished in the 18th Century, Mediaeval foundation associated with the Canons House at Holyrood.
OS 230'C'.

St. Margaret's Chapel, founded more than eight centuries ago, is the most ancient building in the Citadel. It stands on the highest part of the Castle Rock and was used as a 'Gunner's Storehouse' after the Reformation.
J S Richardson and M Wood 1948.

Architectural evidence suggests that the Chapel was built by one or other of Queen Margaret's younger sons, Alexander or David (11th) Restored in 1845....(RCAHMS 1951).
D Wilson 1887.

(NT 2515 7350) Still stands in good condition.
Visited by OS (JLD) 29 December 1953.

As described in previous field report
Visited by OS (SFS) 10 November 1975.

St Margaret's Chapel [NAT]
OS (GIS) MasterMap, November 2009.

Architectural Notes

Information from catalogue slip
ARCHITECT: Hippolyte J. Blanc (reconstruction)

See NMRS Collections SK/Feg/10 W L Fergson Sketch Book No 10 for pencil sketches:
Exterior view, insc: 'St Margaret's Chapel. Edinburgh Castle. view from S.E.'
Detail, insc: 'caps of chancel arch. St. Margaret's Chapel. Edinburgh Castle.'
Detail, insc: 'Piscina in apse. St. Margaret's Chapel.'

REFERENCE
Scottish Record Office
Restoration of the Chapel of Edinburgh Castle.
Architect: (Robert William) Billings. (1813-74).
Letters concerning plans and the appointment of the architect.
1863
GD45/8/513

National Library
Master Masons I, p.298

Breeze, D J (2002) People and places: the men, women and places that made Scottish history, Edinburgh
Page(s): 15, 16 Held at RCAHMS C.3.5.BRE

Bryce, W M (1912a) 'Saint Margaret of Scotland and her chapel in the Castle of Edinburgh', The Book of the Old Edinburgh Club, vol.5
Page(s): 1-66

Bryce, W M (1914) St Margaret of Scotland and her chapel in the Castle of Edinburgh, {s.l.} (Edinburgh)
Page(s): Same article as above republished Held at RCAHMS D.8.41.CAS

Fawcett, R (2002) Scottish medieval churches: architecture and furnishings, Stroud
Page(s): 27, 90, 168, 224, 243, 321 Held at RCAHMS F.5.31.FAW

Fernie, E (1987) 'Early church architecture in Scotland', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol.116
Page(s): 393-411

Pennant, T (1774a) A tour in Scotland; MDCCLXIX, Warrington
Page(s): 1 engraving Held at RCAHMS D.20.PEN.R

RCAHMS (1951) The Royal Commission on the Ancient Monuments of Scotland. An inventory of the ancient and historical monuments of the city of Edinburgh with the thirteenth report of the Commission, Edinburgh
Page(s): 13-15, No.1 Held at RCAHMS A.1.1.INV/13

Richardson and Wood, J S and M (1948b) The Castle of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Page(s): 3, 6-7 Held at RCAHMS D.8.41.CAS.P

Scottish Ecclesiological Society V. 1 (1903-6) to v. 15 (1957-65) + index. Trans Scot Eccles Soc [s.l.]
Page(s): Volv.1916-17 Article with 12 photographs Held at RCAHMS P.46

The Book of the Old Edinburgh Club 1 ser v.1 (1908) to v. 34/5 (1974-85). v.27 missing. New ser v.1 (1991) to v.4 (1997), New ser Vols 1-5 Index (2002), New ser Vol 6 (2005), New ser Vol 7 (2008), New ser Vol 8 (2010), The Book of the Old Edinburgh Club Edinburgh
Page(s): Vol.V Photos of St Margarets Chapel Vol.VI Plans and photos of Davids Tower Held at RCAHMS P.17

Weirter, L (1913) The story of Edinburgh Castle, London
Page(s): 12 Photographs Held at RCAHMS D.8.41.CAS

Werner Company of Chicago (1894) Beautiful Britain: the scenery and the splendours of the United Kingdom: views of our stately houses ... royal residences, palaces and castles, bowers and hunting-lodges, river banks and islets, the homes of princes, London
Page(s): photo of Great Hall Held at RCAHMS D.20.WER

Wilson, D (1887) 'Notice of St Margaret's Chapel, Edinburgh Castle', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol.21
Page(s): 291-316