Dundrennan Abbey

Dundrennan Abbey
Monastery information
OrderCistercian
Established1142
Disestablished1606
Mother houseRievaulx Abbey
DioceseDiocese of Galloway
Controlled churchesKirkmabreck; Rerrick (Dundrennan)
People
Founder(s)Fergus of Galloway
Important associated figuresThomas Livingston
Dundrennan Abbey
Dundrennan Abbey

Dundrennan Abbey, in Dundrennan, Scotland, near to Kirkcudbright, was a Cistercian monastery in the Romanesque architectural style, established in 1142 by Fergus of Galloway, King David I of Scotland (1124–53), and monks from Rievaulx Abbey. Though extensively ruined (the transepts are the main surviving parts), Dundrennan is noted for the purity and restraint of its architecture, reflecting the austere Cistercian ideal. It is also built from very hard-weathering grey sandstone, so the original architectural forms and mouldings are well preserved.

Mary, Queen of Scots, after the Battle of Langside, spent her final night in Scotland here, in 1568. From neighbouring Port Mary, she crossed the Solway Firth to Workington, and shortly after was imprisoned by the English.[1]

In 1587, following the Scottish Reformation, the land passed to the Crown. The site fell into ruin after it was subsequently used to house livestock. Historic Environment Scotland maintains the site today as a scheduled monument.[2]

  1. ^ Robert Keith, History of the Affairs of Church and State, 2 (Edinburgh, 1845), p. 821.
  2. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Dundrennan Abbey (SM90114)". Retrieved 19 December 2018.