Arbroath Abbey

Architecture

Its nave was mainly Early English, the western gable Norman. The cruciform church measured 276 feet long by 160 feet wide. The remains include the vestry, the southern transept (the famous rose-lit window of which remains entire), part of the chancel, the southern hall of the nave, part of the entrance towers and the western doorway.

The abbey features a distinctive round 'O' shape cut high into the main building. This window was originally lit up as a beacon for mariners.

Abbots

The last of the abbots was Cardinal Beaton, who in 1522 succeeded his uncle James when he later became archbishop of St Andrews.

Declaration of Arbroath

The abbey is most famous for its association with the Declaration of Arbroath, which is believed to have been drafted by the abbot of the time Bernard de Linton.

Since 1947, a pageant commemorating the signing of the Declaration has been held within the roofless remains of the abbey. This is run by a local group, the Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society, and tells the story of the events which led up to the signing.

Recent history

The abbey fell into ruin after the Reformation. From 1590 onwards, it became a source of building stone for the town of Arbroath. This continued until 1815 when steps were taken to preserve the remaining ruins. It is now under the supervision of the Government and is open to the public. The sandstone ruins stand at the top of the High Street in Arbroath.

On April 11, 1951, the missing Stone of Destiny was found on the site of the altar by the abbey's custodian. It had been taken from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day, 1950 and a massive, but unsuccessful, search for it had been undertaken in the intervening months.

In the summer of 2001 a new visitor's centre was opened to the public. This wave-shaped building houses a number of historical displays, and features a viewing gallery from which the Abbey can be seen.
The centre won the 2002 Angus Design Award for its distinctive use of red sandstone and natural materials, including a moss-covered roof.

See also