Melrose Abbey Site Visit
Date of visit: Monday 21st October
We visited Melrose Abbey, which is in a partially ruined state, situated in the Scottish Borders near Galashiels. Melrose has examples of several types of vault, many of which are either partly or fully collapsed. Several cross vaults appear to have had ribs added as an afterthought rather than as an integral part of the structure, and there is one example of a groin vault which appears to have been left without ribs. There is also an unusual 'domed' tierceron vault in the presbytery which represents the increased skill and confidence of masons of the time. The nave was heavily altered following the Reformation, with the span having been reduced in order to allow the previous cross vaults to be replaced with an easier-to-maintain barrel vault.
We visited Melrose Abbey, which is in a partially ruined state, situated in the Scottish Borders near Galashiels. Melrose has examples of several types of vault, many of which are either partly or fully collapsed. Several cross vaults appear to have had ribs added as an afterthought rather than as an integral part of the structure, and there is one example of a groin vault which appears to have been left without ribs. There is also an unusual 'domed' tierceron vault in the presbytery which represents the increased skill and confidence of masons of the time. The nave was heavily altered following the Reformation, with the span having been reduced in order to allow the previous cross vaults to be replaced with an easier-to-maintain barrel vault.