Kinloss Abbey is a Cistercian abbey at Kinloss in the county of Moray, Scotland.

The abbey was founded in 1150 by King David I and was first colonised by monks from Melrose Abbey. It received its Papal Bull from Pope Alexander III in 1174, and later came under the protection of the Bishop of Moray in 1187. The abbey went on to become one of the largest and wealthiest religious houses in Scotland, receiving the valuable salmon fishing rights on the River Findhorn from Robert the Bruce in 1312, subsequently renewed by James I and James IV.

Kinloss Abbey

During its history the abbey has received many royal visitors, including Edward I in 1303, Edward III in 1336 and Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1562. The most renowned of the 24 abbots the monastery had was Robert Reid. Reid introduced organised education, erecting a new library and other buildings at the abbey. He became Bishop of Orkney in 1541 and, following his death, became the founder and benefactor of the University of Edinburgh with funds from his estate. The abbey and its lands were part of the Barony of Muirton and the Lordship of Kinloss at various times.

Kinloss Abbey

Few of the monastic buildings remain standing today. The remains of the abbey are now situated within a graveyard owned by the local authority, and are therefore accessible at all times. They are designated a scheduled ancient monument.

Kinloss Abbey

See also

Abbot of Kinloss, for a list of abbots and commendators

List of listed buildings in Kinloss

Scheduled monuments in Moray

References

External links

Kinloss Abbey Trust

Cistercian monasteries in Scotland

Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Moray

1150 establishments in Scotland

Religious organizations established in the 1150s

Christian monasteries established in the 12th century

1601 disestablishments in Europe

Former Christian monasteries in Scotland