The scanty ruins of this once important abbey are situated a short
distance eastwards from the town of Newburgh, and not far from the south
bank of the Tay.
The abbey was founded by David, Earl of Huntingdon, grandson of David
I., and brother of King William the Lion. The foundation took place in
1178, being the same year as that in which Arbroath Abbey was founded by
William the Lion. The abbey was colonised by Tironensian monks from
Kelso, Guido, the first abbot, having been previously prior of the
latter monastery. The buildings are said to have been erected under the
superintendence of Abbot Guido, but as he died in 1219, the style of
architecture, which is pure first pointed, leads to the conclusion that
they can only have been planned, and perhaps begun, under the first
abbot. The institution was munificently endowed by the founder, who
bestowed upon it churches both in Scotland and England. It was also
encouraged by the De Quinceys, Earls of Winchester, who, in 1264,
presented to it the peat moss of Kinloch and the Church of Culessy. The
Church of Dundee also belonged to the monks of Lindores. The abbey is in
the parish of Lindores (now Abdie) (_q.v._), and the name of the old
Culdee church which stood beside the Loch of Lindores, a few miles to
the south, was transferred from the church to the abbey, as being the
most important ecclesiastical establishment in the parish. The word
Lindores is believed to mean “the church by the water,” and “Abdie”
refers to the possessions of the early monastic establishment.
Lindores Abbey was an institution of considerable importance, and was
frequently the temporary residence of royalty. In 1265 it was visited by
Alexander III., and in 1296 by Edward I., when he received the
allegiance of the district. David II. also resided in the abbey. The
unfortunate Duke of Rothesay, who perished at Falkland in 1401, was
buried in the church.
James, Earl of Douglas and Duke of Turenne, after a lifetime spent in
contending with James II. and III., retired to the Abbey of Lindores,
where he passed the last five years of his life, and declined to be
drawn from its seclusion either by James III. or his rebellious nobles,
who both applied to him for his assistance. He died in 1488.
Towards the end of the fifteenth century the possessions of the
monastery were felt to be in a precarious state, and tacks of the abbey
lands were granted to laymen who could defend them. In 1543 the populace
of Dundee made a destructive attack on the houses of the Black and Grey
Friars in that town, and afterwards assailed the Abbey of Lindores, from
which they ejected the monks and destroyed the furnishings and
ornaments.
The abbey afterwards passed into the hands of commendators, till, in
1600, Patrick Leslie of Pitcairlie was created Lord Lindores, and
endowed with the estates.
The buildings appear to have been allowed to go to ruin, and to have
been gradually removed by the inhabitants for building materials. Mr.
Laing gives instances to show that the ruins were regarded as a common
[Illustration:
A. Presbytery.
B. Crossing.
C. Nave.
D. North Transept.
E. South Transept.
F. Slype or Sacristy.
G. Chapter House.
H. Stair.
J. Fratry.
K. Tower.
L. Cloister Garth.
M. M. Western Side of Cloister
N. N. Enclosing Wall.