Peace At The Priory
A sense of solitude can be savoured at this 13th century ruin
WHAT do Mary, Queen of Scots, Robert the Bruce and Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham, co-founder of the Scottish Labour Party, have in common?
Inchmahome Priory, which sits on the island of Inchmahome on the Lake of Menteith, that’s what.
The queen was hidden there in 1547, aged four, Robert the Bruce visited three times, while Robert Graham and his wife Gabriela are buried there.
The Priory is well worth a visit especially at this time of year. A motor launch run by Historic Environment Scotland takes only seven minutes to get there, and not only are you greeted by ruins dating back to the 13th century, you are overwhelmed by a sense of tranquillity.
The substantial ruins of the abbey occupy the north side of the island. The remains include the roofless church, cloisters, chapter house, and domestic quarters for the monks. The west doorway arch of the priory church still stands, as does the nave. The best-preserved part is the chapter house, converted into a mausoleum by the Graham family in the 1750s.
Inside, you can find examples of decorative stonework as well as medieval effigies. These were moved from the priory church for safe keeping.
The ruins are in excellent condition due to the quality of stonework used and the extensive woodland on the island that form a natural protection from the elements.
The island is perfect for a short walk or a picnic and as well as its historical attraction, the island is noted for its flora and fauna, including Spanish chestnut trees which are believed to date from the 16th century, making them among the oldest trees in Scotland.
“This is one of our sites where wildlife is a significant attraction to visitors,” says Dean Hendry, of Historic Environment Scotland. “It is rich in invertebrate life such as dragonflies, stone flies and mayflies as well as other