Of this ancient and important abbey there now remains only one doorway
(Fig. 729). The abbey stood on a level piece of ground at some height
above the rocky bed of the River Dee, about two miles from
Kirkcudbright. The situation is a fine one, and the modern manse is yet
surrounded with splendid old trees. The abbey was founded by Fergus,
first Lord of Galloway, in the twelfth century, and occupied by
Premonstratensian Monks from Cokersand Abbey, in Lancashire. The abbot
sat in the Parliament summoned at Brigham, in 1290, to settle the
succession to the Crown of Scotland. Robert I. and David II. both
enriched it with endowments.
In 1503 James IV. appointed Damiane, an Italian, to be abbot. He was an
alchemist, and professed to be able to fly; but in endeavouring to carry
out his scheme from the walls of Stirling Castle, his wings gave way,
and he fell and broke his leg.[118]
The abbey was annexed to the Crown in 1587. Symson mentions that in
1684 the steeple and part of the walls were standing. It is said that
the present church which adjoins is erected on part of the walls of the
old abbey.
The part of the abbey which contains the ancient door has evidently been
refitted as a church in post-Reformation times, and has a gable with a
plain belfry.
[Illustration: FIG. 729.--Tungland Abbey. Doorway.]
[Illustration: FIG. 730.--Tungland Abbey. Details of Doorway.]
The old doorway has some features (Fig. 730) which make it doubtful
whether it belongs to the first pointed style, or is only one of the
reproductions in imitation of that style which were common in the time
of James VI.