bell
Maker
John Meikle
Production date
1697
Description
Brass bell from the Steeple in Falkirk. It has the inscription; "JAMES.EARLE.OF.LINLITHGOW.AND.CALLANDER.JOHN.MEIKLE. FECIT.EDINBURGH.1697.FOR.FALKIRK".
The Bell was given to the people of Falkirk by the Fifth Earl of Linlithgow and the Forth Earl of Callendar on the completion of the Steeple in 1697. A new one was made in 1815 and installed in 1816. People were not happy with how it sounded and the old one remained in place (with the new one) until 1897 when it was found to be cracked and removed. This was also the 200 year anniversary and was probably not a co-incidence.
Notes from Dollar Park Catalogue entry - "Old Town Bell, On the erection 1697 of a new Town Steeple this Bell was presented by James, Earl of Linlithgow and Callander. It is 26 inches across the mouth and bears the following inscription :- JAMES, EARLE OF LINLITHGOW AND CALLANDER JOHN MEIKLE, FECIT. EDINBURGH 1697 FOR FALKIRK. Meikle's fame as a Bell Founder was widely known. He re-cast the famous Kate Kennedy bell for the College Church Cathedral, Edinburgh, and among numerous other bells one for Falkirk Parish Church in 1696. Meikle died in 1704. After being in use for exactly two centuries the Town Bell was taken down, being considered "Cracked". It was mounted on the stand it now occupies and placed in the Burgh Buildings and Transferred to Arnotdale at a subsequent date".
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Object detail
Dimensions:0 - Whole:Dia 66cm (Dia 2' 2")
Weight:0 - Whole:162kg (357lb 2 3/8oz)
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