Description

The monument consists of the remains of Newton Chapel which are located on rising ground overlooking the Dornoch Firth to the N. The rectangular building is defined by footings measuring 13.2m E-W by 5.8m overall. The walls, although they have spread to 1m, appear to have been 0.8m thick and are reduced to a maximum height of 0.7m.

The rubble core walls have had freestone dressings but these have been completely removed.Several appear in a clearance heap to the W of the building. Several facing stones remain on the interior and exterior walls. A carved stone probably from the top of a gablet or buttress lies 9.5m NW of the chapel. The burial ground is traceable as as a rectangular raised platform, strongly defined on the W.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular measuring a maximum of 35m E-W by 50m N-S to include the chapel and burial ground, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The area is of national importance as a chapel of sixteenth century date which, although fragmentary, remains architectural evidence which suggests that it was probably an ambitious building with well defined faces and complex late gothic ornament. As such, it is likely to provide evidence, and has the potential to provide further evidence through excavation, for ecclesiastical architecture and patronage, burial practices, material culture and the development of the medieval church in Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NH 88 SW 3.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland