Saint Mary's Old Chapel And Menzies' Apartments, Blairs College

Saint Mary's Old Chapel and Menzies' Apartments at Blairs College is an earlier 19th century neo-classical chapel, which may have an earlier core, but was significantly remodeled after 1827 by architect John Gall from Aberdeen, under the supervision of Rev Gordon and John Menzies. The chapel is linked to the south by a two-bay, three-storey domestic range that was originally built as John Menzies' private apartments. This range connects both with the chapel to the south and with the three-storey old mansion house to the north, overlooking a walled garden.

The chapel itself is a nearly symmetrical, single-storey structure with a red brick exterior on the west side and granite rubble with pinnings on the east (rear) elevation, all featuring grey tooled ashlar dressings and margins, which are also present on the two bays of the Menzies' apartments link block. The central block has a pediment and projects to the west, featuring a central west-facing arched door (which is blocked) flanked by a pair of tall arched windows with Y-traceried upper sashes. Above this, there is an attic storey with three square windows that have 12-pane sash and case glazing, situated above a string course and below the pediment, and a broad coped apex stack. The entrance to the chapel is now accessed via a small door on the north flank of the projecting bay. There are three set-back bays on either side, each with identical arched windows and Y-traceried sash and case windows, as well as tripartite dormer windows with slated piend roofs in the slope of the slated roof above.

Inside, the chapel is no longer used for ecclesiastical purposes and has been reoriented. The altar was originally located at the north end, and the attic above connects with the Menzies' apartments to the north. The interior features four fluted and reeded Ionic columns with gilt volutes surrounding a square central space, topped by a saucer dome with an oculus above.