Sweetheart Abbey

You can visit the cloister, but due to access restrictions in place as a precautionary measure while we undertake high level masonry inspections, there is currently no visitor access to the rest of the site. This splendid red-sandstone ruin of the late 13th century was founded by Lady Devorgilla of Galloway, in memory of her husband Lord John Balliol. When her husband died in 1268, Lady Dervorgilla, had his heart embalmed and placed in an ivory casket which she carried everywhere with her. On her death, she was laid to rest with her husband's heart and the monks named the abbey in memory of her. Now under the care of Historic Scotland the romantic abbey is enclosed by an impressive precinct wall - a walk of massive granite boulders, ranking alongside the wall at St Andrews cathedral priory as the most complete in Scotland.