OS1/11/105/59

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 59
Parish of St. Cuthbert

"St. Marie's Chapel stood near the West Port at the west end of the Kings stables which were
situated just without the port or gate on the south side of the road leading to St. Cuthbert's. The
remains of the chapel dedicated in honour of our blessed Ladye were visible not long ago at
the foot of the Chapel Wynd on the north side and towards the east end of Portsborough. A
large stone projecting from the wall of the last house on the left hand of the Wynd is still
pointed out as having belonged to it. Arnot has a curious note on this Chapel which I cannot for-
bear from quoting He says It is owing to the superstitious awe of the people that one stone of this
Chapel has been left above another; a superstition which had it been more consistent in its operations
might have checKed the tearing zeal of reformation. About thirty years ago the proprietor of this
ground employed masons to pull down the walls of the chapel; the scaffolding gave way; the worKmen
were Killed; the accident was looKed on as a judgement against those who were demolishing the house of God.
No entreaties nor bribes by the proprietor Could prevail upon workmen to accomplish is demolition. (Hist. [History]
of Edinb. [Edinburgh] p. [page] 250) The next Wynd is called the Ladye Wynd perhaps from the same Chapel or as
some say from a Smaller one dedicated in honour of our Ladye of Loretto but it is not mentioned
by any historian. On the west side of the Chapel Wynd was the Old Royal Tournament or tilting
ground where feats of Knightly prowess could be seen from the windows of the Castle above."
Lectures on the Christian antiquities of
Edinb. [Edinburgh] by a member of the Holy Guild vol. [volume] 1 P. [page] 93