Inchcolm Abbey facts for kids
Photograph, 9 April 2011
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Augustinian |
| Established | 1147 x 1169 (priory)/ 1235 (abbey) |
| Disestablished | 1609 |
| Mother house | none |
| Diocese | Diocese of Dunkeld |
| Controlled churches | Aberdour; Auchtertool; Beath; Dalgety; Dollar; Leslie; Rosyth |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | David I of Scotland & Gregoir, Bishop of Dunkeld |
| Important associated figures | Walter Bower |
Inchcolm Abbey is an old abbey found on Inchcolm island in the Firth of Forth, Scotland. It was built a long time ago, in the Middle Ages. The abbey is right in the middle of the island.
It was started in the 1100s by Gregoir, who was the Bishop of Dunkeld. Some stories say it began even earlier. King Alexander I of Scotland (who ruled from 1107 to 1124) might have been involved. He was said to have been shipwrecked there in 1123. He found shelter in a hermit's small house.
The abbey first served as a priory. This means it was a smaller religious house. It was home to Augustinian canons regular. These were priests who lived together under strict rules. In 1235, it became a full abbey.
History of Inchcolm Abbey
The island faced attacks from the English starting in 1296. Because of these attacks, the abbey was later left empty. This happened after the Scottish Reformation in 1560. The Reformation was a big change in Scotland's religion.
After being abandoned, the abbey was used for defense. Its location in the Firth of Forth was very important. An old message carved above the entrance says: "May this house stand until an ant drains the flowing sea, and a tortoise walks around the whole world." This means it was meant to last forever!
What Remains Today
Inchcolm Abbey is the best-preserved old monastery in Scotland. Many parts are still complete. You can see the cloisters, which are covered walkways. The chapter house and refectory (dining hall) are also mostly whole. The warming house, where monks could get warm, is also complete.
The church part of the abbey is not as well preserved. Historic Environment Scotland now looks after the ruins. They also have a visitor centre. You can take a ferry from South Queensferry to visit the island.
In July 1581, some stones from the abbey were taken. They were used to fix the Tolbooth building in Edinburgh. One famous person from Inchcolm Abbey was Walter Bower. He was an Abbot there in the 1400s. He also wrote important historical records.
The Inchcolm Antiphoner
The abbey gives its name to a special old book. It is called the Inchcolm Antiphoner. This book was made in the 1300s. It contains rare examples of Celtic chant. These are old religious songs. You can see pages of this Antiphoner online. They are available from the University of Edinburgh.
The Antiphoner has many songs about Saint Columba. He was a very important saint in Scotland. These songs might have come from other monasteries. But Inchcolm is thought to be where the book was put together.
