Two miles south of Maybole in Ayrshire sits Crossraguel Abbey. The Abbey is an enigma with many questions lying unanswered. Many of the structures are in ruins and devastated by plundering for building stone while others remain strangely intact. There is also a carving of a mermaid which is a rare find in a Scottish abbey.

Crossraguel Abbey Introduction

Crossraguel Abbey Introduction

Crossraguel Abbey was founded by Duncan the Earl of Carrick around 1244 after he donated money to the monks of Paisley to build an abbey. Duncan of Galloway was created Earl of Carrick in 1186. His granddaughter Margaret, who later held the title in her own right, married Robert de Bruce. Their son, also named Robert, would later rule Scotland as King Robert I.

Crossraguel Abbey saw its share of turmoil. In 1307 an invading army led by Henry Percy under Edward I sacked the abbey and was granted extensive estates in Scotland, which were later retaken by the Scots under Robert Bruce.