
Arbroath Abbey
Arbroath Abbey
Arbroath Abbey (Category A listed building by Historic Scotland) was founded in 1178 by King William the Lion, and it soon became one of the most important religious sites in Scotland. The Abbey was sacked by the English in 1320, but it was rebuilt and continued to be an important site for pilgrims and tourists.
Today, the Abbey is open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction featuring the remains of the Abbey, the convent building, a pend or internal passageway, a regality tower and an Abbot’s house.
King William the Lion was interred in front of the high altar, as he had requested, after his death.
Created: 6 July 2022 Edited: 29 November 2023
Arbroath Abbey Information
Arbroath Abbey Address
Abbey St, Arbroath
DD11 1EG
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/arbroath-abbey/
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around Arbroath Abbey
There are some historic monuments around including:
Raesmill Burn, unenclosed settlement 300m ESE of Anniston Mill Prehistoric domestic and defensive: hut circle, roundhouse SM5918Newbarns, unenclosed settlement, SE of Anniston Smithy Prehistoric domestic and defensive: house SM6361Templeton, unenclosed settlement 200m and 310m N of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: hut circle, roundhouse SM5990Enclosure and roundhouse, 220m SE of 6 Mains of Kelly Farm Cottages Prehistoric domestic and defensive: enclosure (domestic or defensive) SM6622Newton of Boysack, unenclosed settlement 410m SE of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: hut circle, roundhouse SM6131Bryanton,enclosure 200m N of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: enclosure (domestic or defensive) SM5948Boysack, enclosures and unenclosed settlement 230m SW and 280m SSE of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: enclosure (domestic or defensive); Prehistoric ritual and funerary: enclosure (ritual or funerary) SM5986Newbarns, enclosure and ring ditch 345m SSW of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: enclosure (domestic or defensive) SM5917Loanhead, barrow 355m SSE of Templeton Prehistoric ritual and funerary: barrow SM6126Maiden Castle, fort 700m ESE of East Seaton Prehistoric domestic and defensive: fort (includes hill and promontory fort) SM2872Dickmount Law, cairn Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM2874Newbarns, unenclosed settlements 190m SSE of and 245m ESE of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: house; Prehistoric ritual and funerary: barrow SM5916Colliston Castle,enclosure,souterrain,ring ditches & pit alignment Prehistoric domestic and defensive: enclosure (domestic or defensive) SM6125Castle Rock,fort,Auchmithie Prehistoric domestic and defensive: fort (includes hill and promontory fort) SM2875West Mains of Colliston,enclosure 300m WNW of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: enclosure (domestic or defensive) SM6130Leys of Boysack,palisaded enclosure 400m E of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: palisaded enclosure SM5989Unenclosed settlement and enclosure, 240m SSW of Three Mile Wood Cottage Prehistoric domestic and defensive: enclosure (domestic or defensive) SM7071Cotton of Balcathie, unenclosed settlement 700m WSW of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: settlement SM7068Priestfield,palisaded homestead and ring ditches 350m ESE of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: palisaded settlement SM5978Arbirlot, carved stone 20m S of Manse Crosses and carved stones: sculptured stone (not ascribed to a more specific type) SM145Souterrain, Eastern Cemetery, Arbroath Prehistoric domestic and defensive: souterrain, earth-house SM6641Chapelton,settlement 750m NW of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: settlement SM5987David's Hill, enclosure Prehistoric domestic and defensive: enclosure (domestic or defensive) SM6649Arbroath Abbey and associated buildings, including the Abbot's House Ecclesiastical: abbey SM90018Lud Castle, fort 400m ESE of Tanglehall Prehistoric domestic and defensive: fort (includes hill and promontory fort) SM2876West Mains of Colliston,enclosure 200m NE of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: enclosure (domestic or defensive) SM6124Templeton, enclosure 340m ENE of Prehistoric domestic and defensive: palisaded enclosure; Prehistoric ritual and funerary: enclosure (ritual or funerary) SM5991.