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2 reviews of Inchcolm Abbey

Best medieval abbey in Scotland

Excellent

Inchcolm is located in the Firth of Forth and is where you can visit the remains of the abbey (with the same name), the best preserved medieval abbey in Scotland. Legend has it that in 1123 the island was inhabited by a hermit who, during the biggest storm ever recorded, risked his life to save King Alexander I. As a gesture of thanks, the king promised to build an abbey on the island. He died without being able to, but his brother, King David I, built this Augistinian Abbey following his wishes. The monastery was operational until 1560 when it was abandoned during the Reformation. Its location, being remote and difficult to access, means that it has been preserved in remarkable condition, with plenty of the original hallways and cloisters intact.

To get to the island, we took a ferry from South Queensferry. There are several companies that operate here, and the journey takes about 35 minutes. You can see seals, puffins and other native species. Once across, we had 2-4 hours to wait for the return journey. The island is quite small, but you can see World War II era remains, a little nature reserve, and of course the abbey, which stands on a small beach. It is a great choice for lovers of history, the sea and unusual places. Less than an hour's drive from Edinburgh or Stirling, it's another hidden Scottish gem!
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