Abbeys and Priories of Scotland

Arbroath Abbey, Declaration of Independence.

Ardchattan Priory, On shore of Loch Etive, 7 miles east of Oban, Strathclyde, (A816). Historic Scotland. Founded about 1230, it is Scotland's second oldest inhabited religious house. Parts of the church and domestic buildings remain. Situated in Ardchattan Garden.

Balmerino Abbey, a Cistercian monastery situated on the south bank of the River Tay in North Fife was founded in 1229 by the widowed queen of William the Lyon, then destroyed during the Reformation. A Spanish Chestnut tree here is one of the oldest of its kind in the country.

Beauly Priory, At Beauly, Highland, on A862. Open ruin. Priory founded in 1230, ruins date from 13th-16th centuries. Visited by Mary, Queen of Scots.

Cambuskenneth Abbey, One mile east of the town center of Stirling, Central, off A907 on Alloa road, signposted; by foot use Riverside Dr. in the city of Stirling. Remains of great 12th century Augustinian abbey used by Scottish Parliament. 13th century belfry. James III and Queen Margaret of Denmark are buried here.

Crossraguel Abbey, Two miles beyond the village of Maybole, Strathclyde, on A77. Tel. (0) 1655 883 113. Historic Scotland. A small roofless Cluniac monastery founded in 1244. Extensive ruins including church, chapterhouse, gatehouse, cloister and tall tower house.

Culross Abbey, in Culross, Fife, on the Firth of Forth, off A985. Tel. Phone Culross Palace (0) 1383 880 359 for details. Historic Scotland. Remains of Cistercian monastery founded in 1217. Ruins of nave, cellars and domestic buildings. Abbey Church forms part of the present parish church.

Deer Abbey, On A950 near Old Deer west of Peterhead, Grampian. Remains of 1219 Cistercian monastery. "Book of Deer", one of the oldest documents in Scottish literature, was written in the village of Old Deer.

Dryburgh Abbey. Five miles southeast of Melrose, Borders. Follow B6356 towards Dryburgh and turn right on B6404 after passing Scott's View; then follow the road for 6 miles to the Abbey. Tel. (0) 1835 822 381. Historic Scotland. Substantial Premonstratensian ruins from 12th and 13th centuries in beautiful secluded setting on River Tweed. The grave of Sir Walter Scott is in the north transept.

Dundrennan Abbey. At Dundrennan, Dumfries and Galloway & Galloway, 6 miles southeast of Kirkcudbright, on A711. Tel. (0) 1557 500 262. Historic Scotland.
A Cistercian house founded in 1142 by King David I. Mary, Queen of Scots, stopped here in 1586 on her flight to England. Transepts (early Gothic style) and west wall are still standing. Remains of chapter house with its beautiful cinquefoil arched doorway between two windows.

Dunfermline Abbey and Palace. On St. Margaret St. in the city of Dunfermline, Fife on A994, off M90. Tel. (0) 1383 739 026. Historic Scotland. Benedictine priory founded by Queen Margaret in 1070's and elevated to abbey status by David I in 1128. Substantial remains of church, domestic buildings and palace. The western part of the building is the nave of the Abbey church, and the eastern end is the parish kirk. Favorite place for burial of Scottish royalty, including Malcolm Canmore, Queen Margaret and Robert the Bruce-a commemorative brass is found on the floor of the abbey. Adjacent royal palace was the former guesthouse of the abbey. James VI gave the palace to his wife, Anne of Denmark.

Fearn Abbey. On B9165, Highland, Easter Ross.
This was a religious center as early as the 5th century. The Abbey was founded in the 13th century. The roof collapsed in 1742 and killed 42 people (prophesied in 16th century by a seer).

Glenluce Abbey. On minor road two miles northwest of the village of Glenluce on the A75, Dumfries and Galloway & Galloway. Tel. (0) 1581 300 541. Historic Scotland.
Impressive ruined Cistercian monastery, founded around 1190, set in tranquil valley. 16th century Chapter house with part of original tiled floor and water pipes still in place. Visited by Robert the Bruce, James IV and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Holyrood Abbey. On the grounds of Holyrood Palace, at the end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Lothian.
Built by David I around 1128 and sacked several times by the English. Roofless nave is all that remains. Some sculpted details, Royal burial vault with remains of David II, James II, James V and Lord Darnley.

Inchcolm Abbey. On Inchcolm Island, Fife, in Firth of Forth. Reached by ferry from South Queensferry off A90 just west of Edinburgh. Tel. (0) 1383 823 332. Historic Scotland. Alexander I was stormbound on the island in 1123, and a hermit looked after his needs. In appreciation, Alexander founded an Augustinian abbey on the site. Well-preserved buildings include 13th century octagonal chapter houses, 14th century cloisters and parts of the church.

Inchmahome Priory. On an island in Lake Menteith on A81 near Aberfoyle, Central. Tel. (0) 1877 385 294. Historic Scotland. Augustinian priory founded in 1238 with much of the building surviving. The five-year-old Mary Queen of Scots was sent here for safety in 1547.

Iona Abbey. On the island of Iona, Strathclyde. Reached by ferry from Oban, then overland by bus or car on Mull Island, then by passenger-only ferry to Iona. http://www.calmac.co.uk/ (for Caledonian Ferries and bus information).

Jedburgh Abbey. In the town of Jedburgh, Borders, on A68/B6368. Tel. (0) 1835 863 925. Historic Scotland.
A famous Border abbey founded in 1138 by David I as an Augustinian priory. Roofless but mostly complete Abbey church. Romanesque and Gothic details. Original 12th century west front. The foundations are all that remains of the cloister buildings. The coronation of Malcom IV and the marriage of Alexander III took place here. Museum and video.

Kelso Abbey. In the town of Kelso, Borders, on A698. Historic Scotland. Pillaged for stone after its destruction, little remains of this 1128 abbey, once the Borders greatest and richest. West front and tower are the most interesting part. James III was crowned here.

Kilwinning Abbey. At Kilwinning, Strathclyde, on A737. Historic Scotland. Benedictine Abbey founded between 1140/1162. A rich, flourishing abbey for 400 years, it once covered several acres. The great west doorway, south wall of nave and the gable of the south transept are preserved.

Lindores Abbey, which was once a wealthy Abbey, older and more famed than Balmerino, is now deserted and in ruins.

Melrose Abbey, earliest Cistercian monastery in Scotland. In the town of Melrose, Borders, on B6360. Historic Scotland. Tel. (0) 1896 822 562. One of the most famous ruins in Scotland. Founded in 1136 by David I as Cistercian abbey. Sacked by Edward II and destroyed by Richard II. Substantial Gothic ruins of the abbey date from the reconstruction of 1400. Exterior decorative sculpture, fine traceried stonework. Cloister ruins. Robert the Bruce's heart is reportedly buried here. Commendator's House contains collection of objects found during excavation.

Nunraw Abbey, only Post-Reformation Cistercian.

Paisley Abbey. At Paisley, Strathclyde, on M8/A726, just west of Glasgow. 15th century restoration. West front doorway is 13th century, unusual corbelled galleries.

Pluscarden Abbey, oldest used for its original purpose.

Restenneth Priory. On the B9113 east of Forfar, Tayside. Historic Scotland. Augustinian priory founded by David I. Tall square tower with spire.

St Serf's Priory. On St Serf's Island in Loch Leven by Kinross, Tayside, (M90). Historic Scotland.
Remains of 9th century priory.

Sweetheart Abbey. Seven miles south of Dumfries and Galloway in the village of New Abbey, Dumfries and Galloway & Galloway, on A710. Historic Scotland. (0) 1387 850 397. Founded in the 13th century as a Cistercian abbey. Beautiful red sandstone ruins. Named Sweetheart because Dervorguilla, wife of John Balliol, carried his embalmed heart around for 22 years after he died, then had it buried with her at the high altar.

Whithorn Priory, founded the middle of the 12th century.

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