Culross Abbey

Culross Abbey ruins

In 1215, Malcolm, the 7th Earl of Fife, founded an abbey at Culross for monks from KInloss Abbey in Moray. Culross was probably chosen because it was the birthplace of St Mungo and the site of a 6th century church built by St Serf. The new abbey was built on the ruins of St Serf's church, and early carved stones are on display inside the parish church.

History

The first building to be complete was the church, but it was not until the 14th century that the rest of the monastic buildings were finished.

The abbey declined in the late medieval period, and by the late 15th century there were no lay brothers left. This made the church nave redundant, so it was pulled down and a tower built in its place around 1500.

The east range

Worship continued in the choir until the Reformation, after which the east choir was used as the parish church. The monastic buildings on the south, east, and west ranges remain, though they are largely in ruins.

In 1642 the north transept was remodelled as a burial place for Sir George Bruce, Laird of Carnock. The large alabaster memorial to Sir George, his wife, and their 8 children take up most of the end wall of the transept.

The church was heavily restored in 1823 and again in 1905, and many of the original medieval features were retained.

Culross Abbey church

The Abbey Church

While the ruinous monastic buildings are under the care of Historic Scotland, the church is an active place of worship. It is well worth seeing for its array of historic memorials and medieval carvings. In the graveyard are numerous gravestones showing trade symbols for occupations like sailor, butcher, and baker.

You can also see the gravestone of Colour Sergeant Stewart McPherson, a native of Culross who received a Victoria Cross for his service at the Siege of Lucknow in 1857.

Sir George Bruce tomb

The oldest part of the church is the south wall of the nave, dating to the early 13th century; most of the remainder was built about 1300.

Aside from the Bruce memorial in the north transept, look for the 16th-century slab commemorating Bruce's father, also in the Bruce Aisle. Over the west door is a worn carving of a Green Man, and in the choir are several 8th-9th century Celtic stones, probably fragments of cross-shafts, decorated with knotwork carving patterns.

8th century cross-slab

The Abbey Ruins

The most impressive part of the ruins is the lay brother's refectory. The ground floor, which probably housed the kitchen, has a very fine vaulted ceiling. You can climb to the upper floor, with a ribbed ceiling vault and two doors, including a blocked doorway arch in the east wall.

A persistent legend says that there is a hidden tunnel beneath the abbey. In the tunnel is a man seated in a golden chair, waiting to give treasure to anyone who can find him.

The Chapter House

The lay brother's refectory

The abbey is located on Kirk Street, a short walk uphill from the Mercat Cross in the centre of Culross.