Kilwinning Abbey

Kilwinning Abbey was founded between 1140 and 1191 by the powerful De Morville family and was home to a community of Tyronensian Benedictines from Kelso.   The abbey was richly endowed by a succession of royal and important benefactors and remained one of the most important Scottish monasteries for 400 years. The last abbot was Gavin Hamilton who, although a staunch supporter of Mary Queen of Scots, was a promoter of the Reformation doctrines. The abbey was destroyed in 1560 as practicing any religion other than the new official Protestant faith was outlawed.   Today , as when Robert Bryden completed his etching, only fragments of the 13th century abbey church and chapter house remain. Robert Bryden included the etching in his book Ayrshire Monuments.