Oblique aerial view of Sweetheart Abbey.

Description Oblique aerial view of Sweetheart Abbey.

Date 1972

Collection John Dewar

Catalogue Number KB 1282 CN

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 1555815

Scope and Content Aerial view of Sweetheart Abbey, Dumfries & Galloway This aerial view from the north-east, taken in 1972, shows the abbey church with the cloister and the remains of the domestic buildings to the rear. The cross-shaped plan of the church is obvious, with the long nave to the right and the short presbytery (chancel) to the left of the 'saddleback' tower. The abbey is named after the fact that the founder, Dervorguilla, had the heart of her dead husband embalmed, and carried it with her until her own death. She was buried in the presbytery, with the embalmed heart. The building was saved from demolition by local men who bought it in 1779. Sweetheart Abbey was founded in 1273 by Dervorguilla, the widow of John Balliol of Barnard Castle, as a Cistercian monastery. The church was largely complete by 1389, when Dervorguilla (who died in 1290) was buried in the choir. The building was completed in the late 14th century. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

External Reference 6377/CN/J4

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/175978