Alternative Names St. Baldred's Chapel
Site type CHAPEL
Canmore ID 57845
Site Number NT68NW 2
NGR NT 6018 8732
Council EAST LOTHIAN
Parish NORTH BERWICK
Former Region LOTHIAN
Former District EAST LOTHIAN
Former County EAST LOTHIAN

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Archaeological Notes

NT68NW 2 6018 8732.

(NT 6018 8732) Chapel (NR) (Remains of)
OS 6" map (NG)

St Baldred died on Bass Rock in March, AD 606 and and a chapel existed on the island in remote times.
J P Lawson 1847

On the central of the 3 indistinct terraces which form the surface of Bass Rock 'are the ruins of a little oblong church, which was dedicated to St Baldred and occupied the traditional site of his cell.
I C Hannah 1913

St Baldred's Chapel on the Bass Rock. - The ruin of the chapel is perched on a grassy terrace on the southern side of the rock at an elevation of 200 feet above ordnance datum. It is a small undistinguished structure dating from the 16th century. On plan it is rectangular and measures externally 30 1/2 feet from east to west by 20 3/4 feet from north to south; it is orientated 15 degrees south of east. The ruin, despite its exposed situation, is in a fair state of preservation.
Historical Note -"1542, The V. day of January, M. Vilhelm Gybsone, Suffraganeus to David Beton, Cardynall and Archbysschop of Sant Andros, consecrat and dedicat the paris kirk in the Craig of the Bass, in honor of Sant Baldred, bysschop and confessor, etc (Abbotsford Club). According to an unprinted bull of Innocent VIII, the 'parish church' of the Bass was 'newly erected' in 1492 and the 'rector' at that time was Robert Lauder.
RCAHMS 1924

In 1542 a chapel was erected on the island (of the Bass), and, as is usually thought, on the site of the cell in which Baldred led a life of contemplation and austerity.
It is suggested that it may have been in use until the Reformation, when it seems to have been abandoned. In 1677 the ammunition of the garrison of the Bass was kept in it.
W F Gray 1948

The four walls remain. The east and west walls are intact and the others are about 7ft high. They are approximately 3ft, thick and in good condition.
Visited by OS Reviser (DAD) 29 June 1952

Abbotsford Club Extracta e Variis Cronicis Scocie,
Page(s): 255

Anon (1895) 'Journey of L von Wedel 1584-5', Trans Roy Hist Soc, vol.9
Page(s): 242

Dickson, J (1899b) Islands of the Forth,
Page(s): 174, 178-80