 Crossraguel Abbey
This early 13th century abbey was one of only three Cluniac monasteries to
be founded in Scotland. Amidst much protest at the time,
Crossraguel Abbey was eventually built and prospered over the next 100 years. Ironically the
Abbot was to become the most important person in Ayrshire during the 15th century.
The first abbey church suffered almost total destruction during the Scottish War of Independence, and
only the south wall of the nave survives from the 13th century.
Much of the present monastic remains date from the early 15th century when a great
rebuilding programme was undertaken. An impressive and well-preserved
Chapter House, complete with its rib vaulted ceiling, stone bench seating,
elaborately moulded columns and beautiful traceried windows, is just one of the delights of Crossraguel Abbey.
This fairly extensive site has some interesting and unusual features, probably due in part to
the lateness of the development when ideas of monastic life seem to have
changed. A row of individual houses, now only visible by their
foundations, were built along the southern edge of the South Court which
suggests that the monks were allowed their own private quarters.
There is evidence of a large bakehouse, a guesthouse, a possible tannery and, at the southwest corner
of the court, a rare example of a 16th century, circular dovecot. At
the entrance to the court, is a lavish and imposing gatehouse incorporating
a porter's lodge in the west wall, and a large turret on the eastern side.
From the same period of building, the four-storey Tower House was added to provide more comfortable accommodation
for the abbot. Although one corner of the tower is missing, it
has moreorless survived to full height, and still displays some very uncharacteristic gun loops.
Despite the ravages of time, and the general quarrying away of 'easy' building materials, Crossraguel
Abbey has survived remarkably well. It is clear from well-documented
records, and from existing examples of fine decoration and carving throughout
the ruinous buildings, that this was indeed an important and wealthy house for the Cluniac community to enjoy. |
