Saddell Abbey
The ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey linked to Somerled in east Kintyre, with a shelter of medieval carved grave slabs of armoured lords, galleys and swords.
In a quiet hollow by the road at Saddell, on the east coast of Kintyre, stand the remains of a Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century on land given by Somerled, the great warrior lord of the west.
After Somerled's death in 1164, his son Reginald completed the gift.
Little of the church is left: a few walls of the north transept and choir stand among the gravestones, and much of the rest was carried off long ago to build the village. What draws people here are the carved stones. In a shelter at the entrance stand twelve of them, from the 1300s and 1400s, including effigies of West Highland lords in armour and grave slabs carved with galleys and great swords.
The abbey is free to visit at any time, with a car park by the road. A lane leads on down to Saddell Bay, with its castle and Antony Gormley's figure on the rocks.
Open at all times, free.
A car park by the road; the carved stones are in a shelter at the car park end.
- Founded
- 12th century.
- Linked to
- Somerled and his son Reginald.
- See
- Twelve carved stones.
In Saddell, beside the B842 between Campbeltown and Carradale, PA28 6RA.
Beinn an Tuirc DistillersKintyre Gin up the road.3 miles6 min by road
Glen Scotia DistilleryOne of Campbeltown's three working distilleries, founded in 1832, with tours, tastings and a Victorian-style shop.10 miles17 min by road
CampbeltownA harbour town on Kintyre with a great whisky past, three working distilleries and Scotland's oldest working cinema.10 miles18 min by road
Springbank DistilleryCampbeltown's family distillery of 1828, the only one in Scotland to floor-malt all its barley and do everything on site.10 miles19 min by road
Skipness ChapelMore carved slabs at Skipness.21 miles39 min by road
Scotland, in print.
Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.
For further reading, before you go.