Lokrume Church history dates back to the 12th century. The northern wall of the presently visible church nave dates from this century. Parts of the northern wall of the choir also date from this church. However, later reconstructions have reshaped the church and nothing more remains of this first, Romanesque church. During the second quarter of the 13th century, the larger part of the presently visible choir was built, with inspiration from churches in Visby. Slightly later is the rest of the nave and the sacristy. The last phase of the reconstruction was during the 1270s, when an earlier Romanesque tower was replaced with the presently visible one. The rebuilt church was inaugurated in 1277.
Internally, the church is sparsely decorated by frescos from the 1270s. During a renovation in 1957-62, fragments of 15th-century frescos were also discovered under layers of white paint, but these were too damaged to be restored. The frescos in the sacristy date from the 18th century. The altarpiece is from 1707, while the pulpit dates from the second half of the 17th century. The church furthermore has a triumphal cross from circa 1200, and a baptismal font by the artist known as Majestatis, dating from the later part of the 12th century. In the choir stands a choir bench made of parts dating from the 17th and 13th century respectively. Also in the choir is the tombstone of a judge name Gervid Lauks, dated 1380.
References:Craigmillar is one of Scotland’s most perfectly preserved castles. It began as a simple tower-house residence. Gradually, over time, it developed into a complex of structures and spaces, as subsequent owners attempted to improve its comfort and amenity. As a result, there are many nooks and crannies to explore.
The surrounding gardens and parkland were also important. The present-day Craigmillar Castle Park has fascinating reminders of the castle’s days as a rural retreat on the edge of Scotland’s capital city.
At the core lies the original, late-14th-century tower house, among the first of this form of castle built in Scotland. It stands 17m high to the battlements, has walls almost 3m thick, and holds a warren of rooms, including a fine great hall on the first floor.
‘Queen Mary’s Room’, also on the first floor, is where Mary is said to have slept when staying at Craigmillar. However, it is more likely she occupied a multi-roomed apartment elsewhere in the courtyard, probably in the east range.
Sir Simon Preston was a loyal supporter of Queen Mary, whom she appointed as Provost of Edinburgh. In this capacity, he was her host for her first night as a prisoner, at his townhouse in the High Street, on 15 June 1567. She was taken to Lochleven Castle the following day.
The west range was rebuilt after 1660 as a family residence for the Gilmour family.
The 15th-century courtyard wall is well preserved, complete with gunholes shaped like inverted keyholes. Ancillary buildings lie within it, including a private family chapel.