Saddell Abbey

The abbey was established as a House of Cistercian Monks by Norse nobleman, Somerled, Lord of Kintyre. The abbey was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Somerled established the abbey in 1160, but was killed in 1164 in the Battle of Renfrew. Somerled's son, Ragnall, succeeded his father as Lordy of Kintyre and completed the construction of the abbey. He is also referred to as the abbey's founder.

Saddell Abbey originally consisted of a church and three adjoining buildings grouped around a cloister. The church consisted of an aisleless nave and choir and north and south transepts laid out in the cruciform style. Little remains of the original abbey structures. An assemblage of stone walls surrounded by a burial ground represent the north transept and nave of the original church. Saddell Abbey is widely known for its important collection of life-sized stone carvings and burial slabs. Several of the 14th to 16th century stone carvings, including a cross, six grave slabs and five effigies, are on display under a special shelter at the entrance to the abbey site. Other slabs are located…