Memorial Chapel Falkland

The Memorial Chapel on the Falkland Estate is an intriguing roofless building.

It was on a visit to the nearby Maspie Den Waterfall that I noticed the chapel across the road from the car park.

The sandstone chapel is built in an attractive gothic style. The buttresses, some of which are topped with pyramid caps, make it a formidable structure. The crow stepped gables and machicolated cornices show the fine masonry work. The grand arched doorway and intricate windows opening show the level of craftmanship. The exterior waterspouts, and empty niches add to the buildings splendour.

The chapel was commissioned in 1912 by Lord and Lady Ninian Crichton-Stuart who owned the Falkland Estate at the time.

The couple lost their three year old son, Ninian Patrick Crichton-Stuart in 1910. A few days after his death a service was held at the Chapel Royal in Falkland Palace before he was buried at this site. Two years late, the couple had the chapel built as a memorial to their son, with the intention that is be used as a Roman Catholic church.

Reginald Fairlie of Edinburgh, who's family home was the nearby Myres Castle in Auchtermuchy, was commissioned to build the chapel. He was family friend, a Catholic and a highly regarded Architect. He began building the chapel in 1912, using only local tradesmen and resources.

Sadly after Lord Ninian's death in 1915, it was never completed. Reginald Fairlie stopped building in 1916 and the result is what you see today.

The chapel contains the graves of several members of the Crichton-Stuart family, and is still used as a venue for wedding ceremonies.

From the Maspie Den car park, which is next to The Stables Cafe, leave the car park and turn left up the road.

After a short distance, take the path on the right which passes a pretty pond.

The path takes you to a gate at the rear of the chapel.

You can't enter the chapel but you get a good view inside from the iron gate.

The Memorial Chapel is a category B Listed Building with Historic Environment Scotland.

If you use the gate near the entrance to the chapel, you can get closer to the House of Falkland.

It is only 0.5km to reach the Memorial Chapel, although you may want to continue along the grassy path to see the House of Falkland a little closer. You can't enter the building as it is a school, but it is fabulous and worth a closer look. You can then drop down to the road to make is a circular walk.

Follow the above route, or find on OS Maps.