Episcopal Convent And Chapel Of St Margaret Of Scotland, 17 Spital, Aberdeen

Sir J Ninian Comper of Bucknall and Comper; designed 1891, dated 1892 (see Notes); restored 1988 by Lyon & McPherson. Particularly fine Gothic chapel with canted, buttressed and castellated apsidal chancel springing from steep hillside and adjoining 2-storey and attic, 2-bay convent wing with transomed and mullioned windows and distinctive V-plan bay rising through 2 floors. Squared and pinned granite rubble with polished ashlar dressings. Part of a wider former convent complex (see Notes).

CHAPEL: monumental appearance of chapel accentuated by steeply falling ground at principal E elevation and comprising dominant full-height buttresses flanking 2-light traceried window high up over decorative niche with statue of St Margaret, further taller windows to flanking angled faces. Principal entrance to rear through diminutive porch with pyramidal pantiled roof leading to doorway dated '1892'.

INTERIOR: finely furnished, aisleless, galleried, whitewashed interior with stencilled groin vaulting over apsidal chancel, and stencilled timber wagon roof to nave. Decorative detailing includes blind ogee arched arcading, carved timber stalls and tiny watching chamber accessed from adjoining convent.

CONVENT: 2 horizontally-emphasised bays with transomed, mullioned and traceried windows to V-plan bay at E elevation. Rear elevation with porch reflecting main entrance to Chapel, and asymmetrical fenestration. Canted stair tower in re-entrant angle formed with Chapel.

INTERIOR: 6-panelled timber doors; stone fireplaces with variety of overmantels, cast iron grates, tiled slips and hearths; cast iron radiators. Finely-detailed principal rooms with timber window seats.

Stained glass glazing to Chapel; leaded and margined diamond pattern, and plate glass glazing in fixed and casement windows to convent wing; largely 4-pane glazing pattern in timber sash and case windows elsewhere. Red pantiled roofs with some use of grey slate.