Abbey Gatehouse

Decided to go for a walk round the local area this afternoon, as the weather seemed reasonable. Unfortunately, it changed after about fifteen minutes to freezing rain and a strong wind, so cut the walk shorter than intended!

Passed the Gatehouse to the 12th century Cistercian Abbey, which was established in 1164 by King Malcolm IV of Scotland and for a while was the wealthiest abbey in Scotland. Like many great abbeys and churches, this one fell into disrepair after the Reformation in 1560 and the stones often appear in local buildings!

The Church of Scotland which was built close beside the remains has a Watch House in the graveyard, where men were employed to watch out for body snatchers in the 18th and 19th centuries:-)

Life seems a lot less exciting here now:-)