Dundrennan Abbey

Dundrennan Abbey

Monastery information
Order	Cistercian
Established	1142
Disestablished	1606
Mother house	Rievaulx Abbey
Diocese	Diocese of Galloway
Controlled churches	Kirkmabreck; Rerrick (Dundrennan)
People
Founder(s)	Fergus of Galloway
Important associated figures	Thomas Livingston

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.

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 Scotland maintain the site today.

See also

• Abbot of Dundrennan, for a list of abbots and priors

External links

• Dundrennan Abbey - site information from Historic Scotland
• Abbey of Dundrennan from the Catholic Encyclopedia
• Transcriptions and photographs of Gravestones in Dundrennan Abbey Grounds