Kinloss Abbey

Ruined abbey in Kinloss, Moray, Scotland, UK

Kinloss Abbey
Monastery information

Order	Cistercian
Established	1151
Disestablished	1601
Mother house	Melrose Abbey
Diocese	Diocese of Moray
Controlled churches	Avoch; Ellon
People
Founder(s)	David I of Scotland
Important associated figures	Radulf, Robert Reid

Kinloss Abbey is a Cistercian abbey at Kinloss in the county of Moray, Scotland.

The abbey was founded in 1150 by King David I and was first colonised by monks from Melrose Abbey. It received its Papal Bull from Pope Alexander III in 1174, and later came under the protection of the Bishop of Moray in 1187. The abbey went on to become one of the largest and wealthiest religious houses in Scotland, receiving the valuable salmon fishing rights on the River Findhorn from Robert the Bruce in 1312, subsequently renewed by James I and James IV.

During its history the abbey has received many royal visitors, including Edward I in 1303, Edward III in 1336 and Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1562. The most renowned of the 24 abbots the monastery had was Robert Reid. Reid introduced organised education, erecting a new library and other buildings at the abbey. He became Bishop of Orkney in 1541 and, following his death, became the founder and benefactor of the University of Edinburgh with funds from his estate. The abbey and its lands were part of the Barony of Muirton and the Lordship of Kinloss at various times.

Few of the monastic buildings remain standing today. The remains of the abbey are now situated within a graveyard owned by the local authority, and are therefore accessible at all times. They are designated a scheduled ancient monument.^[1]

References

^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Kinloss Abbey (SM1227)". Retrieved 23 February 2019.

External links

Kinloss Abbey Trust
"Kinloss". Catholic Encyclopedia.

Cistercian monasteries in Scotland

Melrose filiation (from Rievaulx)

Melrose Abbey (1136)
Newbattle Abbey (1140)
Holmcultram Abbey* (1150)
Kinloss Abbey (1150)
Coupar Angus Abbey (1164)
Balmerino Abbey (1227)

Dundrennan filiation (from Rievaulx)

Mellifont filiation** (from Cîteaux)

? Soulseat Abbey*** (1148)
Saddell Abbey (1207)

Kinloss filiation**** (from Rievaulx)

Culross Abbey (1217)
Deer Abbey (1219)

Latter day foundations

Nunraw (1946)

* Now in England, but at the time of its foundation, part of the Scottish kingdom of David I.
** Filiation from Mellifont Abbey in Ireland, founded 1142.
*** If this existed, it was shortly afterwards replaced by a Premonstratensian establishment.
**** In the line of filiation from Melrose (above).