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List of monastic houses in Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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List of monastic houses in Scotland is a catalogue of the abbeys, priories, friaries and other monastic religious houses of Scotland.
In this article alien houses are included, as are smaller establishments such as cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks). The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have, the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary or preceptory/commandery.
The geographical co-ordinates provided are sourced from details provided by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments in Scotland (RCAHMS) Archived 4 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine and Ordnance Survey publications.
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Overview
Article layout
The list is presented alphabetically by council area. Foundations are listed alphabetically within each area.

Communities/provenance: shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as having been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.
Formal name or dedication: shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.
Alternative names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching, such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.
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Abbreviations and key
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Perspective
Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented.
HES | Historic Environment Scotland |
NTS | National Trust for Scotland |
CS | Church of Scotland |
Communities/provenance: shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as having been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.
Formal name or dedication: shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.
Alternative names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching, such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.
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List of establishments by county/region
Summarize
Perspective
Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire
Angus
The following location in Angus has no monastic connection:
- Rossie Priory: mansion, built 1807
Argyll & Bute
Ayrshire
East Ayrshire
North Ayrshire
Ayrshire, North non-Christian monasteries
South Ayrshire
Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway non-Christian monasteries
Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire
City of Edinburgh
Eilean Siar
Fife


Balmerino Abbey

Culross Abbey

Cupar Blackfriars

Dunfermline Abbey

Dysart Blackfriars
(possible)
(possible)

Gadvan Preceptory

Inchcolm Abbey

INVERKEITHING (see right)

Isle of May Priory

Kinghorn Blackfriars
(dubious)
(dubious)

Lindores Abbey

Pittenweem Priory

ST ANDREWS (see right)

St Monan's Blackfriars
Locations of monastic houses in Fife
The following locations in the Fife Region have no monastic connection:
- Crawford Priory: mansion, built 1813
- Inchrye Abbey: mansion, built 19thC
City of Glasgow
Highland
Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire
Lothian
East Lothian
West Lothian
Midlothian
Moray
Orkney
Perth & Kinross


Abernethy Priory

Aberuthven
(erroneously asserted cell)
(erroneously asserted cell)

Coupar Angus Abbey

Dunkeld Monastery – now cathedral

Elcho Priory

Inchaffray Abbey

Loch Tay Priory

Montrose Blackfriars

PERTH
(see right)
(see right)

Rindalgros monastic settlement?

St Serf's Inch Priory

Scone Abbey

Scotlandwell Red Friars

Tullilum Whitefriars
Locations of monastic houses in Perth & Kinross
Renfrewshire
Scottish Borders
The following location in the Scottish Borders has no known monastic connection:
- Abbey: placename probably does not pre-date 1726
Stirling
The following location in the Stirling Region has no monastic connection:
- Ross Priory: mansion named 'Ross', renamed 'Ross Priory' 1810
Unidentified supposed foundations
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See also
Notes
- Aberdeen Red Friars — foundation date 1181 given by Father R. A. Hay, Scotia Sacre (MS.34.1.18 in the National Library of Scotland), p.70
- Banff Greyfriars — Collections for a History of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff (Spalding Club, 1843), p.205
- Forvie Preceptory: Collections for a History of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff (Spalding Club, 1843), p.217
- Tullich Preceptory — J. Spottiswoode, An account of all the Religious Houses that were in Scotland at the time of the Reformation (included in R. Keith, An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops (Edinburgh, 1824)), p.435
- Tullich Preceptory — Templaria: Papers relative to the history, privileges and possessions of the Scottish Knights Templars, and their successors the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (1828), pp.5,7; Abstracts of charters and other papers recorded in the chartulary of Torphichen from 1581 to 1596 (Edinburgh, 1830), p.9
- Barry Red Friars – Father R. A. Hay, Diplomatum Veterum Collectio. (MS. 34-1.10 in the National Library of Scotland), iii, p.573
- Brechin Red Friars – Father R. A. Hay, Diplomatum Veterum Collectio. (MS. 34-1.10 in the National Library of Scotland), iii, p.579
- Brechin Red Friars – Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), p.1081
- Dundee Greyfriars — foundation: Joannis de Fordun Scotichronicon cum Supplementis et Continuatione Walteri Boweri, ed. Goodall (Edinburgh, 1759): lib. viii, cap. xxv; ibid, i, 474; J. Spottiswoode, An account of all the Religious Houses that were in Scotland at the time of the Reformation (included in R. Keith, An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops (Edinburgh, 1824)), p.489
- Dundee Greyfriars — date of building: Documents Illustrative of the History of Scotland 1286-1306, ed. J. Stevenson (Edinburgh, 1870), ii, no.484
- Iona Abbey — Tironensian: conjectured by W. F. Skene, Celtic Scotland, Edinburgh (1867)
- Rothesay Abbey: Ecclesiastical Architecture, iii, p.418
- Texa Cell — Joannis de Fordun Scotichronicon cum Supplementis et Continuatione Walteri Boweri, ed. Goodall (Edinburgh, 1759) lib. ii, cap x; i. p.45
- Dercongal Abbey — Manuscript 33.2.12, National Library of Scotland, gives founder as Devorgilla, daughter of Alan of Galloway; evidently a confusion with Sweetheart Abbey
- Dumfries Blackfriars — Manuscript 22.1.14, 153 f., National Library of Scotland
- Dumfries Blackfriars — erroneous entry in J. Spottiswoode, History of the Church of Scotland (1677 Ed.) Appendix, p.16 (25)
- Dumfries Blackfriars — erroneous reference to Friars Preachers (correctly Friars Minor) in Dumfries list (NX 9776), 1 May 1579 (Registrum Magni Sigilli Scotorum, iv, no.32)
- Dumfries Greyfriars — probably spurious charter of foundation 20 April 1234 by Alan of Galloway cited by Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), p.1268
- Dumfries Greyfriars — foundation date c. 1262 cited by W. Moir Bryce, The Scottish Grey Friars (Edinburgh, 1909), i, p.199
- Dumfries Greyfriars — foundation date before 1305 cited Early Sources of Scottish History 500 to 1268, ed. A. O. Anderson (Edinburgh, 1922) ii, p.479n
- Dumfries Greyfriars — possession by Town Council cited by W. Moir Bryce, The Scottish Grey Friars (Edinburgh, 1909), i, p.214
- Kirkcudbright Blackfriars — Rotuli scaccarii regum scotorum (The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland), ed. J. Stewart and others (Edinburgh, 1878-1908) xiii, p.472: reference 1512 to Friars Preachers of Kirkcudbright
- Kirkcudbright Greyfriars — spurious charter 16 September 1239: Tweedie Manuscript, cited by Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), pp.1431-2
- Edinburgh Preceptory: Reports of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland — Edinburgh (1951), p.126, no.75: exaggerated description of property
- Queensferry Whitefriars — foundation 1330/1: J. Spottiswoode, An account of all the Religious Houses that were in Scotland at the time of the Reformation (included in R. Keith, An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops (Edinburgh, 1824)), p.455
- Queensferry Whitefriars — foundation intimated: purported letter of James Dundas, Laird of Dundas, to the Provincial and Vicar-General of the Camelite order in Scotland — Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), p.1554
- Queensferry Whitefriars — present parish church: Dundas Charters, National Library of Scotland, Mac. xxiv, p.29)
- Nuntown Priory — New Statistical Account
- Crail Blackfriars — spurious and unreliable charters cited by Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), pp.1254, 1255-7
- Dysart Blackfriars — included in Dumfries list
- Dysart Blackfriars — Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), p.1229 - land granted: spurious charter of William Sinclair of Dysart 27 March 1466/7/8 (year partly obscured)
- Inverkeithing Blackfriars — included in Dumfries list and W. Maitland, The History and Antiquities of Scotland (London, 1757), i 262
- Inverkeithing Blackfriars — site granted: Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), p.1224 - charter (undated) "Hugh de Lundey", Lord of the Burgh of Inverkeithing with the consent of Robert de Bruis index Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, edited by T. Dickson and Sir J. Balfour Paul (Edinburgh 1877-1916), ii (though the text refers to 'Frieris of Inverkethin' (most likely the Franciscan Friars)
- Isle of May Monastery: Annals of the Reigns of Malcolm and William, Kings of Scotland, ed. A. C. Lawrie (Glasgow, 1910) states "It is possible that on the Isle of May, in the beginning of the twelfth century, there was a small fraternity of culdees or monks of the old Scottish church"
- Kinghorn Blackfriars — included in Dumfries list
- Kinghorn Blackfriars — spurious and unreliable charters cited by Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), pp.1228: vague account of foundation - probably spurious charter of benefaction of James de Kirkcaldy 28 September 1388
- St Ninian's Blackfriars — Extracta e Variis Cronicis Scocie (Abbotsford Club 1842) p.249
- Lanark Greyfriars — foundation 1328-9: spurious charter of foundation cited by Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), p.1459
- Lanark Greyfriars — W. Moir Bryce, The Scottish Grey Friars (Edinburgh, 1909), ii, p.149; Reg, Aven, 88, folios 191-IV
- Haddington Blackfriars — destruction: Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), p.1236
- Houston Red Friars — foundation date c. 1220 given by Father R. A. Hay, Diplomatum Veterum Collectio. (MS. 34-1.10 in the National Library of Scotland), iii, p.576; J. Spottiswoode, An account of all the Religious Houses that were in Scotland at the time of the Reformation p.396 (included in R. Keith, An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops, Edinburgh, 1824)), who located the foundation in Renfrewshire
- St Germains Preceptory — J. Spottiswoode, An account of all the Religious Houses that were in Scotland at the time of the Reformation (included in R. Keith, An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops (Edinburgh, 1824)), p.435
- included in Dumfries list
- Linlithgow Blackfriars — Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), p.1219 – probably spurious charter of John, King of Scots 19 March 1294/5
- Forres Blackfriars — included in Dumfries list
- 'Brough of Birsay Red Friars': Reports of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland, Orkney and Shetlands (Edinburgh, 1909-), ii, I, p.3
- Coupar Angus Blackfriars — listed by J. Spottiswoode, History of the Church of Scotland (1677), p.16 (25)
- Coupar Angus Blackfriars — foundation: foundation date and founder unknown: Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie, Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh, suggested founder (p.1241), suggested date (p.1248)
- Forfar Greyfriars — Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland, ed. J. Bain, (Edinburgh, 1881-8), (ii, no. 856) includes reference to such a house; Documents Illustrative of the History of Scotland 1286-1306, ed. J. Stevenson (Edinburgh, 1870), (ii, no. cccclxxxiv, 23 November 1297) shows this to be erroneous
- Tullilum Whitefriars — Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regnum Scotorum, ed. M. Livingstone and others (Edinburgh, 1908— ), V, no.2124
- Ancrum Red Friars — Geographical Collections relating to Scotland made by Walter Macfarlane (SHS, 1906-08), iii, p.158
- Jedburgh Blackfriars — included in Dumfries lists
- Jedburgh Blackfriars — Watson, History of the Franciscan Friary of Jedburgh, HNBC, 1906, p.82
- Roxburgh Greyfriars — foundation: probably spurious charter of foundation 18 October 1232 cited by Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), pp.1281-2
- Roxburgh Greyfriars — destruction: Letters and Papers, foreign and domestic of the reign of Henry VIII ed. by J. S. Brewer and others (London, 1864-1932), xx2 no. 456, 533
- Roxburgh — A. O. Anderson, Early Sources, ii, p.183, note, according to papal legate declaration, and referring to the exemption of the church of St James, synodal and episcopal aids: 'It seems, therefore, to have been occupied by Cistercian monks at this time'
- Selkirk Blackfriars — included in Dumfries lists
- Selkirk Blackfriars — charter of dubious merit (purportedly bearing the seal of Alexander Maxwell, Archdeacon of 'Tuuedaliae' — if Tweedale: no such archdeaconry, if Teviotdale: no record of archdeacon of that name) cited by Manuscript collections of Father Marianus Brockie (Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), p.1242
- Oggerstone Preceptory — J. Spottiswoode, An account of all the Religious Houses that were in Scotland at the time of the Reformation (included in R. Keith, An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops (Edinburgh, 1824)), p.435
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Footnotes
References
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