To continue an exploration of ancient Scottish castles and churches , it is a must to mention the Jedburgh Abbey located at Jedburgh, Borders, as well as the Threave Castle. In this article, you will also learn of a place to visit when you’re in the mood to catch a glimpse of ornamental early Christian crosses and medieval grave slabs.
Kilmartin Church And Graveyard
At Kilmartin, Argyll, there were once a handful of breathtaking features (like the ornamental early Christian crosses) found at the Kilmartin Church And Graveyard. Nowadays, the crosses have been relocated to the church for safekeeping. You can slip into the church interior to take a gander, as the stones have been quite an attraction for some time.
Surrounding the church, you will find the burying ground that holds a collection of medieval grave slabs. There are also some redeposited grave slabs from medieval times that have come from St Columba’s Chapel in Poltalloch. The majority of these slabs have gained protection from a covered mausoleum located on the churchyard grounds, while some are still on display in the open.
Jedburgh Abbey
The Jedburgh Abbey is found at Jedburgh, Borders where the church has been a sight to see since the 9th century. When the 11th century rolled around, the Augustinian order took control with the old church being replaced by the inviting building we see today that was constructed during the early part of the 1200s. By the time the 13th century arrived, the monks residing at the abbey were driven out , becoming causalities of the warring English. The Abbey was reconstructed and once again, suffered destruction throughout the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. Despite all of the ups and downs that this attraction has undergone, you will find that this is one of the best preserved of abbeys in the region.
Threave Castle
If you’re ever in the vicinity of Kirkcudbright (by the River Dee), you will encounter the Threave Island gem of Threave Castle. The island itself has a long line of grand tales that center on the ancient kings of Galloway. Many are skeptical when it comes to these legends, as there isn’t a great deal of evidence to support the many claims. There has been the discovery of a silver penny dating back to 1300 that was uncovered when excavation of the island took place throughout the 70s. This serves as proof that the island accommodating some level of status before the Douglases found their way to the land.
The most powerful lord situated in south Scotland during his time constructed the castle that stands today around 1370. Archibald Douglas (mostly referred to as the Archibald the Grim) served as Lord of Galloway. However, times grew turbulent and the Douglases found themselves withstanding a siege, but eventually were overthrown by James II. It was at this time that the castle became a possession of the crown. Sadly, it was abandoned when the estate lost most of its luster. In 1640, it was partially dismantled.