Sweetheart Abbey , Scotland

Sweetheart Abbey was a Cistercian monastery, founded in 1275 by Dervorguilla of Galloway, daughter of Alan, Lord of Galloway, in memory of her husband John de Balliol. His embalmed heart, in a casket of ivory and silver, was buried alongside her when she died and the monks at the Abbey then renamed the Abbey in tribute to her. Their son, also John, became king of Scotland but his reign was tragic and short. The depredations suffered by the Abbey in subsequent periods, have caused both the graves to be lost.

The Cistercian order's interests lay not only in prayer and devotion but in the farming and commercial activity of the area, making it the centre of local life. The abbey would have dominated early medieval life as farmers, agriculturalists, horse and cattle breeders. Surrounded by rich and fertile grazing and arable land, they became increasingly expert and systematic in their farming and breeding methods. Like all Cistercian abbeys, they made their mark, not only on the religious life of the district but on the ways of local farmers and influenced agriculture in the surrounding areas.

At the other end of the main street is Monksmill, a corn mill. Although the present buildings date from the late eighteenth century, there was an earlier mill built by and for the monks of the abbey which serviced the surrounding farms.

Opening Times

1 April - 30 September
Daily: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

1 October - 31 October
Daily: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

1 November - 31 March
Saturday to Wednesday: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

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Ticket Prices

Adult £4.00,
Child £2.40,
Concession £3.20

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Disabled Facilities

Access, with the aid of a helper, is available to the Laybrothers Range including the nave, transept chapels, presbytery, cloister garth, novices room and the sites of the kitchen and dining hall, although there are one or two steps.

The library, sacristy, chapter house, treasury, parlour and warming house are not accessible to visitors with a physical disability.

Local authority toilets at car park, wheelchair adapted.

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More Information

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