Tour Scotland photograph of Culross Abbey, Fife, Scotland. This Scottish abbey was founded in 1217 by Malcolm I, Mormaer or Earl of Fife, and was first colonized by monks from Kinloss Abbey. Culross may have been chosen to establish an abbey because this was the birth place of Saint Mungo. It is also possible that the abbey was built over the earlier Pictish church founded by Saint Serf in the 6th century. The original 13th century abbey was cruciform in plan, without aisles. By the late 15th century the lay brothers had left, and the abbey community consisted of only choir-monks. The western half of the abbey was therefore abandoned, and the nave was demolished around 1500. In 1633 the east choir of the abbey was taken over for use as a parish church, while the adjoining buildings fell into decay.
In 1642 the north transept was converted into a tomb house by Sir George Bruce, Laird of Carnock. Alabaster carved effigies of him, his wife, and eight children can still be viewed there today. The abbey was restored in 1823, although many original features were removed, including the transept chapels. Another restoration took place in 1905, which reinstated the chapels and left the buildings much as they can be seen today. The eastern parts of the church are still in use for worship, and are generally open to the public. A Ley tunnel is believed to exist beneath the abbey and within is said to sit a man in a golden chair waiting to give valuable treasures to anyone who succeeds in finding him. Many years ago a blind piper decided to try and upon entering at Newgate with his dog he proceeded to search and could be heard playing his pipes as far as the West Kirk, three quarters of a mile away. Eventually the dog emerged into the daylight, however the piper was never seen, or heard of, again.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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