Churches & Abbeys

Arbroath Abbey In Arbroath town centre on the A92.
Tel: 01241 878756

Arbroath Abbey holds a very special place in Scottish history, it was here in 1320 that Scotland's nobles swore their independence from England in the famous "Declaration of Arbroath".

Crossraguel Abbey 2m S of Maybole on the A77.
Tel: 01655 883113

Founded in the early 13th century by the Earl of Carrick the remains include the church, cloister, chapter house and much of the domestic premises. The early form of the Abbey's name suggests it meant the Cross of Riaghail and referred to a great standing cross

Dryburgh Abbey 8m SE of Melrose on the B6404.
Tel: 01835 822381

Perhaps the most beautiful of all the Border Abbeys, the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey are remarkably complete. The burial place of Sir Walter Scott and Field Marshall Earl Haig

Dundrennan Abbey 6.5m SE of Kirkcudbright on the A711.
Tel: 01557 500262

Mary Queen of Scots spent her last night on Scottish soil in this Cistercian abbey founded by David I. The Abbey, built in the second half of the 12th century, stands in a small and secluded valley. The remoteness is in keeping with the strict rules and observance of the Cistercian order

Dunfermline Palace and Abbey In Dunfermline off the M90.
Tel: 01383 739026

The remains of the great Benedictine abbey founded by Queen Margaret. The foundations of her church are under the superb 12th-century Romanesque style nave. The Palace is the birthplace of Charles I, the last monarch born in Scotland

Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel 3.5m from Oban off the A85.
Tel: 01631 562465.

A very fine 13th-century castle built on a rock with a great curtain wall. Close by are the remains of a chapel with beautiful architectural detail. The castle's colourful history stretches across the Wars of Independence to the '45 Rising. Briefly the prison of Flora Macdonald

Elgin Cathedral In Elgin on the A96.
Tel: 01343 547171

The superb remains of a majestic and beautiful 13th-century cathedral. Almost destroyed in 1390 by Alexander Stewart, the infamous "Wolf of Badenoch". You can see the Bishop's home at Spynie Palace, 2 miles north of the town

Glasgow Cathedral In Glasgow.
Tel: 0141 552 6891.

One of the most magnificent buildings of medieval Scotland, it is a rare example of a complete pre-Reformation Scottish cathedral. David I established the medieval diocese in the early 12th century but the main building of the cathedral was not completed until well into the 14th century. A new lighting system reveals much of the medieval splendour for the first time

Glenluce Abbey 2m NW of Glenluce village off the A75.
Tel: 01581 300541.

Founded by Roland, Earl of Galloway in 1192, the ruins of this Cistercian house occupy a site of great natural beauty. It was visited by Robert the Bruce and James IV. Mary Queen of Scots stayed here during a royal progress

Inchcolm Abbey On Inchcolm in the Firth of Forth. Reached by ferry from South Queensferry (30 minutes), and from North Queensferry (weather permitting).
Tel: 0131 331 4857

Known as the "Iona of the East". The abbey was founded in 1192 by Alexander I. The island is also famed for its seals, wildlife and coastal defences from two world wars

Inchmahome Priory On an island in the Lake of Menteith. Reached by ferry from Port of Menteith 4m E of Aberfoyle off A81.
Tel: 01877 385294

A beautifully situated Augustinian prior founded in 1238 with much of the building surviving. The five-year-old Mary Queen of Scots was sent here for safety following the disastrous Battle of Pinkie in 1547

Jedburgh Abbey In Jedburgh on the A68.
Tel: 01835 863925

A majestic building founded by David I in 1138. The visitor centre contains the priceless Jedburgh comb and other artefacts found during excavations. Video presentation available. Cloister and herb garden

Melrose Abbey In Melrose off the A7 or A68.
Tel: 01896 822562

At one time probably the richest abbey in Scotland whose 14th to 16th-century remains retain a unique elegance. Believed to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart

Seton Collegiate Church 1m SE of Cockenzie off the A198.
Tel: 01875 813334

The chancel and apse of this lovely building are 15th-century. The transepts and steeple were added by the widow of the Lord Seton who was killed at Flodden in 1513

St Andrews Cathedral In St Andrews on the A91.
Tel: 01334 472563

The remains still give a vivid impression of the scale of what was once the largest cathedral in Scotland. Climb St Rule's Tower for a magnificent view of the town and visit the Cathedral's collection of Celtic and medieval carved stones

Sweetheart Abbey In New Abbey village on the A710.
Tel: 01387 850397

The splendid remains of a late 13th and early 14th-century Cistercian abbey founded by Devorgilla, Lady of Galloway, in memory of her husband John Baliol. Devorgilla is buried in the presbytery with a casket containing her husband's embalmed heart

Whithorn - Cradle of Christianity At Whithorn on the A746.
Tel: 01988 500508

The site of the first Christian church in Scotland founded by St Ninian in the 5th-century it later became the cathedral church of Galloway. In the museum is a fine collection of early Christian stones. The archaeological excavation is open to visitors. Managed by the Whithorn Trust

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