The Chapel at Drum Castle

Ancient slab steps passed beneath a blood-red arch of leaves where the brisk May wind tumbled and clattered. Among Yew and Holly, a small, stout chapel gathered moss about its old stones. Purple-tinted light limned the chapel crown here at Drum Castle, as it had for the past five centuries. A black mouth led inside to polished wooden pews, masterpieces of stained glass, and a silence that still echoed with the whispered prayers of the past. It had all been a gift from Robert the Bruce to the Irwyns of the 14th century.

Some power pulsed in the air and twisted my senses: the smell of warmth, the taste of verdigris, the sound of blooms, the feel of bittersweet, the sight of applause. There are places that hold past events as ghosts. Brief visions slashed my consciousness. White blossoms cantering across a blue sky. A couple, tight to one another, stepping from the chapel. Melodic notes of pipers and fiddlers softened by the overhung foliage. What claim could religion hold over a place so clearly rife with centuries of accumulated emotion? Joy and sorrow and vehement rage ruled together as one, and I dipped my head in deference.

Article Comments

  1. Jeremy Branham July 22, 2011 at 11:12 am

    The chapel is beautiful! Love the color of the leaves and the stones of the chapel. Great job capturing the stained glass inside and beautiful description of this! Love your use of words and imagery here.

    1. Keith Savage July 23, 2011 at 9:21 am

      She’s a little beauty. Really made my time at Drum Castle special. It’s one of the oldest properties in the National Trust for Scotland’s collection.

  2. Lily July 22, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    This chapel looks like something out of a fairy tale or romance novel. Absolutely stunning!

    1. Keith Savage July 23, 2011 at 9:22 am

      Absolutely, agreed.

  3. Seri July 23, 2011 at 7:52 am

    Aww wow, I completely forgot how lovely Drum Castle was. Beautiful photo, really makes me want to go visit it again now!

  4. Linda July 23, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    I looked at the stunning photo and thought “Gorgeous”, then I read your words, they are even more beautiful than the photo. I can’t tell you how much I love this post.

    1. Keith Savage July 23, 2011 at 10:23 pm

      Really glad to hear this. Glad you enjoyed this so much.

  5. Ted Nelson July 25, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    What a lovely little photograph. There is so much to look at here even without the chapel including the colorful leaves, the stone steps, and the vegetation. Is the color inside the door a stained glass window inside the chapel? As always, the accompanying words are just as impressive.

    1. Keith Savage July 25, 2011 at 6:15 pm

      It is, indeed, a stained glass window inside the chapel.

  6. Lori July 25, 2011 at 7:27 pm

    What a poetic description. I almost don’t know which is more beautiful: the photo or the post. Congratulations for both the inspirational post and the great photo. Great angle and imagination!

    1. Keith Savage July 25, 2011 at 8:15 pm

      Thanks Lori!

  7. Seiryu July 26, 2011 at 12:20 am

    what a very beautiful picture

Leave Me A Comment

Scotland's Calling!

Subscribe and confirm your subscription to receive my posts via e-mail.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.