Arbroath Abbey
The size of tiny Arbroath Town belies the historic importance connectioned with the red sandstone ruins of Arbroath Abbey.
Throughout its history the relics of St Columba and the Stone of Scone, upon which the Kings of Scotland were crowned, were kept at Arbroath Abbey. Arbroath is also famous for the proclamation of independence from England the ‘Declaration of Arbroath’ of 1320, that encapsulated Scottish self-determination. This document was written by the Abbot of Arbroath and sealed by a succession of Scottish nobles in support of Robert the Bruce and the cause of Scottish independence and was sent to Rome. It set the Pope in Scotland’s favour and set the peace talks in motion.
The abbey was built by William ‘the Lion’ King of Scots in 1178 and was consecrated in 1233. The Abbey has a bloody history of its own and in 1446 during the ‘killing times’ of deep religious strife, 600 people died in battle outside its gates, darkening further the red sandstone. It fell into disuse after the reformation and after the 1700s was plundered for its masonry.
What remains is still impressive, the levels of the south transept and the Abbot’s house can both be explored and the visitor centre ranks among the best in the country. Excellent interpretive facilities outline 500 years of history played out through the arches of Arbroath Abbey. Computer generation compares the ruins with their original designs and how the Abbey would have looked at the peak of its power and in the Abbott house displays illustrate life at the Abbey.
