List of monastic houses in Scotland
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. 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 and Ordnance Survey publications.
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 have 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.
Abbreviations and key
| * | indicates current monastic function |
| + | indicates current non-monastic ecclesiastic function |
| ^ | indicates current non-ecclesiastic function |
| $ | indicates remains limited to earthworks etc. |
| # | indicates no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains |
| ~ | indicates exact site of monastic foundation unknown |
Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication 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 have 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.
List of establishments by county/region
Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire
Angus
The following location in Angus has no monastic connection:- Rossie Priory: mansion, built 1807
Argyll & Bute
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Artchain Monastery, Tiree | Celtic monks founded 6thC? by Findchan, contemporary of Colum Cille | |||
| Ardchattan Priory | Celtic monks founded by Findchan; Valliscaulian monks — from Val des Choux founded 1230/1; part of church in parochial use to 1722; site now largely occupied by Victorian house; | The Priory Church of Saint John the Baptist, Ardchattan | ||
| Bledach Monastery, Tiree | Celtic monks founded before 577 by Brendan, founder abbot of Clonfert | |||
| Cara Red Friars | purported Trinitarians asserted cell; chapel only, no Trinitarian foundation | St Fionnlugh's Chapel | ||
| Cella Diuni, Loch Awe | Celtic monks possibly founded by Diun | St Columba's Church; Kilneuair | ||
| Colonsay Abbey | Augustinian Canons Regular asserted abbey; evidence of monastic house lacking | |||
| Garvellach Islands Monastery | traditionally founded late-6thC by Brendan, founder abbot of Clonfert; probably on the island of Eileach an Naoimh | Ailech Monastery Eileach-an-Naoimh Monastery | ||
| Hinba Monastery | Celtic monks founded before 597 by Colum Cille, probably on the island of Jura | possibly Jura Monastery | ||
| Inchkenneth Monastery ? | purported monastery – island in ownership of Iona Nunnery — evidence of parish church only | |||
| Inchmarnock Monastery | purported cell of monks — parish church only – island held by Crossraguel, exchanged with Saddell 17 January 1390/1 — no evidence of monastic foundation | Inchmernock | ||
| Inishail Priory | supposed Cistercian nuns remains of a building purportedly a nunnery; purportedly granted to Hay, Abbot of Inchaffray actually a parochial church appropriated by Inchaffray — supposed priory fictitious | |||
| Iona Abbey + | Celtic monks founded c.565 by Colum Cille; plundered by the Norse 795 and 802; Benedictine monks abbey founded 1203; dubiously conjectured to have been Tironensian dissolved 1587/8; cathedral, request made by the Crown to the Pope 1 April 1498 to establish a see pending the recovery of the see in the Isle of Man from the English, apparently unsuccessful, the monks holding the abbey in commendam from 1499; no evidence of a cathedral chapter being established; now restored and in use as ecumenical Christian community; | |||
| Iona Priory | Augustinian Canonesses founded before 1208, purportedly by Ragnall mac Somairle ; secularised after 1574, granted to Hector McLean of Duart; | St Mary ____________________ Iona Nunnery | ||
| Jura Monastery | possibly Hinba Monastery | Hinba Monastery? | ||
| Kerrara Priory | Cistercian monks apparent intended foundation after 1292 never implemented; no evidence of monastic foundation or occupation by monks on the island | |||
| Kingarth Monastery | Celtic monks founded 6thC, purportedly by St Blane; seat of bishopric; | Cinngrad Monastery | ||
| Lismore Monastery | founded before 592 by Lugaid or Moluag | |||
| Mag Luinge, Tiree | founded before 597; probably at Soroby; destroyed by fire 673; restored | |||
| Oronsay Priory | Augustinian Canons Regular founded before 1353, accredited to John, Lord of the Isles; dissolved or secularised 1617, land granted to the Bishop of the Isles by James VI 15 February 1616 | The Priory Church of Saint Oran, Oronsay | ||
| Rothesay Abbey | ruined church possibly referred to as St Mary's Abbey — evidently medieval parish church — no monastic foundation | 'St Mary' | ||
| Saddell Abbey | Cistercian monks daughter of Mellifont, Louth, Ireland; founded before 1207 by Reginald, son of Somerled, Lord of the Isles; dissolved c.1507; confirmed to the Bishop by James VI 1 January 1507 | |||
| Sgòr Nam Ban-Naomha Monastery | ||||
| Texa Cell | purported monks' cell evidence of church — cell apocryphal | Helentexa | ||
| Tiree Monastery | founded c.564-565 by Comgall, founder abbot of Bangor; soon abandoned due to raids by the Picts |
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Ayrshire
East Ayrshire
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Mauchline Priory | Cistercian monks grange or 'cell' of Melrose founded 1165, purportedly by David I | The Priory Church of Saint Cuthbert, Mauchline |
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North Ayrshire
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Fintray Priory | supposed Tironensian monks house built c.1386, determined to be imaginary | |||
| Holy Island | purported monastery traditionally founded by Ranald, King of the Isles and Argyll or Johne, Lorde of the iles ; island possessed by Iona — no evidence of monastic foundation | |||
| Irvine Whitefriars | Carmelite Friars probably founded before 1293 by a Fullerton of Fullerton; dissolved or secularised 1572; granted to the Royal School of Irvine by James VI 8 June 1572 | |||
| Kilwinning Abbey | Tironensian monks from Kelso founded between 1162 and 1189; dissolved 1592 | The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint Winning, Kilwinning | ||
| Kilwinning Convent | Situated at Stanecastle and mentioned in several charters | |||
| Southannan Priory | Franciscan nuns spurious charter of William, Lord Semple; purportedly reduced to ashes at the Reformation; supposed foundation – spurious provenance; only chapel of St Anandi and graveyard chantry mentioned at the site |
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Ayrshire, North">North Ayrshire">Ayrshire, North non-Christian monasteries
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Holy Island Monastery | Tibetan Buddhist |
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South Ayrshire
Dumfries and Galloway
[Dumfries and Galloway] non-Christian monasteries
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Samye Ling Monastery *, Langholm | Karma Kagyu school Tibetan Buddhist 1967 | Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre |
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Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Ross Priory, Loch Lomond | doubtful establishment, probable early-19thC invention; country house |
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City of Edinburgh
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Edinburgh Blackfriars | Dominican Friars founded 1230 by Alexander II, site of the king's manor house granted to the friars by him; dissolved or secularised 1566/7, granted to the magistrates and Edinburgh Town Council 13 March 1566/7 | The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | ||
| Edinburgh Greenside Whitefriars | Carmelite Friars founded 1520-5, site granted by the town, with the permission of the king and the bishop of St Andrews; dissolved or secularised before 1563 | |||
| Edinburgh Greyfriars | Observant Franciscan Friars founded c.1463; destroyed by Reformers 14 June 1559; dissolved or secularised 1562; Greyfriars Tolbooth & Highland Kirk built on site 1602-20 | |||
| Edinburgh Preceptory | property - asserted preceptory | |||
| Edinburgh Sciennes Priory | Dominican nuns founded 1517, erroneously asserted to have been founded by Lady Roslin, Countess of Caithness; secularised 1569 | St Katherine of Senis | ||
| Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh | Augustinian Canons Regular — from St Andrews daughter of Merton, Surrey; founded 1128 by David I; sacked by the English 1322; burned by the English 1385; dissolved or secularised 1606; erected into temporal lordship for John Bothwell, son of the bishop 1606, charter 1607; nave in use as the parish church of the Canongate until 1686; partly absorbed into 17thC Holyrood Palace; served as Chapel Royal until mid-18thC; | The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Saint Andrew and All Saints, Holyrood | ||
| South Queensferry Whitefriars | Carmelite Friars founded 1 March 1440/1 ; dissolved before 1564/5; prior granted lease 27 February 1564/5; let by Sir Walter Dundas to the Balies and Town Council of Queensferry as a place of worship and school; present parochial church built on site 1635 | Queensferry Friary | ||
| Sciennes Priory | Franciscan nuns spurious charters including grant by Margaret Knox, daughter of Uchtred Knox of Ranfurly to build a hospital |
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Eilean Siar
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Barra Red Friars | Trinitarians purported cell – possible church of Celtic origin, supposed house – lacking evidence | The Holy Trinity | ||
| Carnish 'Cell' | Augustinian Canons Regular asserted cell of Inchaffray, purportedly founded by the Macleods of the Lewis; evidence of monastic house lacking | Scarinche | ||
| Nuntown Priory | nuns of unspecified order — probably spurious account of building on Benbecula 'locally believed to have been a nunnery' | |||
| Rowadil Priory | Augustinian Canons Regular; asserted priory; purportedly founded by MacLeod of Harris; evidently no more than parochial church or chapel | Rodwil; Rowadill; Rodel |
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Fife Region
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 Region
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Applecross Monastery | Celtic monks founded 673 by Mael-rubai, Abbot of Bangor | St Maelrubha's Monastery | ||
| Beauly Priory | Valliscaulian monks — from Val des Choux dependent on Val des Choux; founded 1230; dissolved 1510; Cistercian monks founded 1510 on the suppression of the Valliscaulian order; purportedly erected to a temporal lordship for Lord Hay of Sala 1612, '; granted to the Bishop of Ross ; | The Priory Church of The Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist, Beauly | ||
| Cromarty Red Friars | purported Trinitarians no evidence of Trinitarian foundation here | Crenach ? | ||
| Dornoch Cell ? | Benedictine monks founded before early-12thC; possible community established from Dunfermline or earlier community already established here | |||
| Dornoch Red Friars | asserted Trinitarians founded 1271 by Sir Patrick Murray or the Reguli of Sutherland supposed house – evidence lacking – probably fictitious | |||
| Eigg Monastery | founded before 617 by St Donnan | Kildonnan Monastery | ||
| Fearn Abbey | Premonstratensian Canons daughter of Whithorn; founded 1221-2 ; dissolved 1609 | The Abbey Church of Saint Ninian, Fearn | ||
| Fort Augustus Abbey | built as a military fort, Benedictine abbey and school in 20thC, now in private ownership | |||
| Inverness Blackfriars | Dominican Friars founded after 1214 and before 1240 by Alexander II; secularised before 19 January 1566/7; destroyed by Cromwell, masonry used in the construction of a citadel at the north of the town | St Bartholomew | ||
| Inverness Greyfriars | confusion with Inverness Blackfriars | |||
| Kingussie Whitefriars # | Carmelite Friars founded before 1501 by George, Earl of Huntly; dissolved or secularised after 1560 | St Columba's Friary | ||
| Murkle Priory | nuns of uncertain order — supposed foundation – unverified | Glosters Priory | ||
| North Rona Monastery | 7thC | |||
| Old Fearn Abbey | Premonstratensian Canons' founded c.1227 | approx'' |
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Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire
Lothian
East Lothian
West Lothian
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Abercorn Monastery | Celtic monks probably founded between 635 and 663; dissolved after early-8thC, | |||
| Kirkliston Preceptory | Knights Hospitaller founded 1560; annexed to Torphichen soon before 31 March 1513 | |||
| Linlithgow Austin Friars | Augustinian Friars royal benefactions between September and December 1503, no evidence of habitation – incomplete foundation; subsequent attempt to found settlement at Manuel | |||
| Linlithgow Blackfriars | Dominican Blackfriars foundation and founder unknown | |||
| Linlithgow Whitefriars | Carmelite Friars founded c.1401; dissolved before 1567/8 | |||
| Manuel Austin Friars | Augustinian Friars provision for suppression of Cistercian nunnery ' by the Pope 16 June 1506, on petition by James IV, never implemented — incomplete foundation | |||
| Manuel Priory | Cistercian nuns founded 1156 by Malcolm IV, confirmed by William the Lion between 1166 and 1171; dissolved or secularised after 1599; probably passed into the possession of Alexander, Lord Livingstone, for whom the lease was renewed by James VI 13 April 1599 | Emanuel Nunnery; Manuel Nunnery | ||
| Torphichen Preceptory + | Knights Hospitaller' founded between c.1144 and 1153 by David I who granted land; secularised 1563/4; land and baronies granted'' to praeceptor James, Lord St John by Queen Mary 25 January 1563/4 |
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Midlothian
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Balantrodoch Preceptory | Knights Templar founded 1128-53; suppressed c.1309 | Temple | ||
| Newbattle Abbey | Cistercian monks — from Melrose daughter of Melrose; founded 1140, regarded as by David I, endowments by David and his son, Earl Henry; dissolved 1560; granted to Mark Ker, son of the Commendator, also Mark Ker) 7 April 1567, confirmed 24 August 1584, after the death of his father; erected into a temporal lordship for Mark Ker | The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Newbattle | ||
| Soutra Red Friars | asserted Trinitarians — unfounded assertion |
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Moray
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Elgin Blackfriars | Dominican Friars founded 1233 or 1234 by King Alexander II; lands and revenues apparently permanently under Dunbar family at the Reformation; secularised 1570/1; Alexander Dunbar, dean of Moray received crown confirmation 7 January 1570/1, property granted under Great Seal 4 March 1573/4 and 9 January 1575/6 | St James | ||
| Elgin Greyfriars | Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual land granted by William, Earl of Ross c.1281; foundation incomplete | |||
| Elgin Greyfriars, Observants | Observant Franciscan Friars founded before 1494, allegedly by John Innes of Innes; dissolved or secularised c.1559; lands leased to Robert Innes of Invermarky by James VI 20 April 1573; restored; now in use by adjacent convent | Observantine House of The Franciscan Friars | ||
| Elgin Whitefriars ? | Carmelite Friars probable confusion with Greyfriars | |||
| Forres Blackfriars | supposed Dominican Friars — evidence lacking | |||
| Kinloss Abbey | Cistercian monks — from Melrose daughter of Melrose; founded 21 May 1150 by David I; dissolved 1560; secularised 1601, erected into a temporal lordship for Edward Bruce, becoming Lord Kinross, | The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Kinloss | ||
| Pluscarden Abbey * | Valliscaulian monks — from Val des Choux priory 1230; Benedictine monks dependent on Dunfermline; dissolved 1587, united with Urquhart; Benedictine monks priory, now Benedictine abbey | The Abbey Church of Saint Andrew, Pluscarden | ||
| Urquhart Priory # | Benedictine monks — from Dunfermline dependent on Dunfermline; founded 1124, reputedly by David I who made a grant made between 1130 and 1150; Pluscarden united with Urquhart; took formal possession of Pluscarden 8 November 1454; community settled at Pluscarden due to the extent of the buildings there; no remains on site, stone cross from priory incorporated into the wall of current parish church hall | The Priory Church of the Holy Trinity, Urquhart | site vestiges |
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Orkney
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Brough of Birsay Monastery | possible Celtic monks monastic settlement 6thC suggested to have connection with the name of St Colum or St Columba; Viking farmstead 9thC; cathedral early-12thC, foundation unknown; see translated to Kirkwall 12thC; church probably in parochial use until 13thC; episcopal residence in use to 14thC | St Peter's Monastery | ||
| Brough of Birsay Red Friars | alleged Trinitarians — order unconfirmed | |||
| Eynhallow Monastery # | possible site of monastic settlement 12thC; evidently ceased well before 16thC | |||
| Golgotha Monastery *, Papa Stronsay | Transalpine Redemptorists transferred from Joinville, France; island purchased 31 May 1999; extant | |||
| Hichaten Priory | Cistercian monks supposed foundation — no such location identified in the Orkneys | Hichaten vel Orcades | ||
| Transalpine Redemptorists | possible Papari or Pictish monks founded 8thC? |
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Perth & Kinross Region
Renfrewshire
Scottish Borders
The following location in the Scottish Borders has no known monastic connection:- Abbey: placename probably does not pre-date 1726
Stirling Region
| Foundation | Image | Communities & provenance | Formal name or dedication & alternative names | Online references & location |
| Cambuskenneth Abbey | Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian — from Arroaise founded 1147; | The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Cambuskenneth | ||
| Inchcailleoch Priory | nuns of unspecified order - traditional, parochial church — no evidence of monastic foundation | |||
| Inchmahome Priory, Lake of Menteith | Augustinian Canons Regular independent priory founded 1238 by Walter, Earl of Menteith; dissolved or secularised 1604; erected into temporal lordshhip for John Erskine, Second Earl of Mar 1604 and 1606; | |||
| Stirling Blackfriars | Dominican Friars founded before 1249 by Alexander II; purportedly destroyed by Reformers June 1559; putatively granted to Alexander Erskine of Cangnoir May 1560; secularised 1567, granted to the municipality of Stirling by Queen Mary 15 April 1567, though Erskine retained possession until 1652 | St Laurence | ||
| Stirling Greyfriars | Observant Franciscan Friars founded 1494, allegedly by James IV; dissolved or secularised 1559-67; destroyed by Reformers 1559; granted to the magistrates 15 April 1567 |
The following location in the Stirling Region has no monastic connection:
- Ross Priory: mansion named 'Ross', renamed 'Ross Priory' 1810