Document record MAB50953 - URQUHART PRIORY

Urquhart Priory was a Benedictine order, founded by David I in 1124 and dedicated to the Holy Trinity, with Dunfermline as its mother house.

Urquhart Priory was a Benedictine order, founded by David I in 1124 and dedicated to the Holy Trinity, with Dunfermline as its mother house. On 12 March 1453/4 Pope Nicholas V issued a Bull uniting the priory with Pluscarden Priory (NJ15NW0006). This was thought to have been initiated by John Benale, Prior of Urquhart, who had petitioned the Pope suggesting that both houses should be united. Both priories appeared to have suffered from both spiritual and material reduction, as at that time Urquhart had 2 monks and Pluscarden six. The buildings at Pluscarden were thought to have been larger and easier to repair than Urquhart. It was subsequently abandoned. It is now completely destroyed although stones, potsherds and slag are occasionally found. A stone bearing the letters IHS and the inverted date 1708 (probably an addition) was in use as a lintel stone at the Red Lion Inn, Garmouth, prior to its demolition is now in the manse garden (NJ26SE0167) is thought to have come from the priory. A flat stone bearing a calvary cross (cross on a stepped base) with simplistic tree of life motif flanking the cross shaft is also said to have come from the priory: it was formerly mounted on the wall inside the church hall at Urquhart (NJ26SE0100), but was removed to Pluscarden Abbey (NJ15NW0006) in 2024. A number of features are visible as crop marks on a vertical aerial photograph taken in 1976, including several rectilinear enclosures which probably represent the foundations of buildings. There is also a linear feature which may be a ditch or line of a priory outer wall. A few coins and a seal have been found by metal detectorists. This has also been suggested to be the possible site of a crannog.

Period Notes
Founded by David I in 1124; monks expelled 1460; by late 18thC almost no remains.

CRAMOND, W, 1899, THE CHURCH & PRIORY, URQUHART, 9 (Bibliographic reference). SAB289.

EASSON, D, 1957, MEDIEVAL RELIGIOUS HOUSES: SCOTLAND, 55,70 (Bibliographic reference). SAB440.

ANSON, PF, 1959, MONASTERY IN MORAY, 59 (Bibliographic reference). SAB16.

STRATIGOS, M J, 2013, THE CRANNOGS OF NORTHEAST SCOTLAND: QUANTIFYING THE RESOURCE. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON MA DISSERTATION, 81 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1743.

Aug 10 1978 , AAS/78/03/R2/10, AAS/78/03/R2/10 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB30521.

Aug 10 1978 , AAS/78/3/CT13,39, AAS/78/3/CT13,39 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB31961.

Jul 9 1976 , NJ26S 2633246, NJ26S 2633246 (Air-vertical Photograph). SAB31999.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2025 9:58AM