Building record MAB19179 - PRIORY OF ST MARY'S, FYVIE

Cross erected in the 19th century on the site a Tironensian priory.

Cross erected in the 19th century on the site a Tironensian priory. All that remains at the site is a rough stony platform. More recently known as Fyvie Priory, in early charters it is called the Priory of Ardlogy. The s daughter house of the priory of Arbroath (monks of the Order of Tiron), it was founded by Richard I le Chen (Cheyne). In 1285 Reginald II le Chen (Cheyne) who donated lands at Ardlogie and Leuchendy (Lethindy) to Arbroath Abbey to further endow the daughter house, the details of the grant indicating that the priory at Ardlogy was in existence at that time. In circa 15078 the priory was reunited with Arbroath Abbey, and the community returned to Arbroath although it appears to have been recognised as a separate entity until circa 1540 with the continuing appointment of commendator priors. The Old Statistical Account (1793) notes the ruins of a priory, foundations of which seemed to be of three sides of a court, the middle of which was the church and the sides the offices and cells of the monks. The New Statistical Account (1845) states that the outline, and possibly the chapel, of this priory were still visible in 1840 on a gentle eminence about 150 yards north-east of the Bridge of Lewes. There are now no traces of building foundations and much of the platform is by a modern mound of stones, in the centre of which stands a 19th century memorial cross. The inscription reads 'This Cross is erected by William Cosmo and Mary Grace Gordon of Fyvie AD 1868 to mark the site of the ancient Priory of St. Mary's founded 1179 and in memory of James Hay Chalmers who died in 1867'. The Cross is Grade C listed. Documentary sources indicate that the prior was also known as the Priory or House of Ardlogie. The priory mill likely stood at the site of the present Mill of Ardlogie (NJ73NE0226).

ORDNANCE SURVEY, 1871, Ordnance Name Book, No35(1871) 96 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1360.

EASSON, D, 1957, MEDIEVAL RELIGIOUS HOUSES: SCOTLAND, 58 (Bibliographic reference). SAB440.

BANFF & BUCHAN DISTRICT COUNCIL, 1989, FYVIE VILLAGE - A MOMENT IN TIME, p.2-3 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3731.

MOTT MACDONALD, 2022, FYVIE - ROTHIENORMAN REFURBISHMENT PROJECT HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT DESK STUDY, MM009 (Bibliographic reference). SAB7622.

FIRTH, D, 2023, THE TIRONENSIAN HOUSE OF ARDLOGY AT FYVIE (Bibliographic reference). SAB4188.

Jul 19 1990 , KH 20, KH 20 (Ground Photograph). SAB33808.

Jul 19 1990 , POLAROID, POLAROID (Ground Photograph). SAB14331.

SDD, n.d., BLDS OF ARCH & HIST INTEREST, FYVIE 10 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1827.

Record last edited

Sep 28 2023 2:31PM