St Bride, “the Bringer of Light”, is the patron saint of Clan Douglas hence the chapels name.
The first thing to notice is the beautiful wrought iron gate. This was made by Thomas Hadden who is famed for his work in the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh and the Chapel of the Thistle in St Giles Cathedral. The gate was recently restored and upon closer inspection you can see the Galley of Lorne which is the symbol of Clan Campbell along with the Heart of Douglas and intertwined, the initials WDC and HDC for Walter Douglas Campbell and Helen Douglas Campbell.
Gazing into the tomb itself you can see the effigy of Walter which was carved by Alexander Carrick. Carrick was also responsible for the carving of St Conan, located outside, as well as the War Memorial beside the gatehouse. Walter is shown in the Highland dress of a Lieutenant in the Lanarkshire Yeomanry wearing buckled shoes, stockings with Sgian Dubh dirk, sporran, kilt, broadsword, belt and scroll in hand.
The bodies of both Walter and his sister, Helen, lie in the vault beneath, contrary to the Presbyterian tradition that there should be no burials in a Kirk. Helen petitioned for this and it was agreed, on condition that the chapel was separated by the Gate from the rest of the Kirk.
Looking up, you can see the roof beams, recycled from HMS Duke of Wellington and 8 cheeky cherubs look down onto Walter. Beneath them is a script from Exodus XXV – “The Lord spake saying let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them”.
On closer inspection, there is even more symbolism that declares that this is truly a shrine to the Campbell Douglas family. On each side are gothic arches and each holds a Heraldic Crest. These are;
- The Heart of Douglas
- The Magpie of Campbell
- The Salamander of Douglas
- The Bog Myrtle of Campbell
- The Trefoil (cloverleaf) of Campbell
- The Mullet (spur/star) or Douglas
- The Galley of Lorne of Campbell
- The Crowned Heart of Douglas (symbolising Douglas protection of the Heart of Bruce)
- The Boars Head of Campbell (relating to their lineage from the Irish King Diarmid)
- The Oak Tee with Lock of Douglas
St Conan’s Kirk requires ongoing maintenance and it is through donation that we are are able to maintain and improve this building and keep it open for the public to enjoy. So if you are able, please use one of the following links to donate by text message.
