Kinloss Abbey

Kinloss Abbey is a monastery ruin in Moray founded by Cistercian monks and preserves stone remains including sections of the south transept and column bases. The fragments are scattered across the grounds and show the basic layout of the medieval building complex.

King David I established this monastery in 1150, bringing Cistercian monks from Melrose Abbey in the south to this northern location. This foundation was part of the royal strategy to spread monastic communities across Scotland.

The monastery became a center of learning in the 16th century when Abbot Robert Reid brought the scholar Giovanni Ferrerio to teach there. This connection to humanist ideas made it an important intellectual hub in northern Scotland.

The site is open to the outdoors and has information boards explaining which sections belonged to different buildings. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes as the ground can be uneven in places.

The monastery received salmon fishing rights on the River Findhorn from Robert I of Scotland in 1312, a rare privilege that highlighted its economic importance. This grant was a direct recognition of the monastery's wealth and influence during medieval times.

Location: Moray

Location: Kinloss

Inception: 12 century

Architectural style: Gothic architecture

GPS coordinates: 57.63373,-3.56681

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:59