Crossraguel Abbey

Maybole, Ayrshire

Crossraguel Abbey, founded in the early 1200s by Cluniac order monks who served here over four centuries. Paisley and Crossraguel were Scotland’s only Cluniac monasteries.

An ancient holy place

The site of the abbey may have been an ancient holy place, as the name Crossraguel probably means ‘the cross of Raighail’. 

Crossraguel was meant as a place for the Opus Dei or ‘Work of God’. In the early years, an argument raged between the Abbey at Paisley and her daughter Abbey over the independence of Crossraguel. 

Robert the Bruce (King Robert I) was South Ayrshire’s Earl of Carrick, so Crossraguel’s monks were loyal to him. The Wars of Independence with England caused the abbey to be targeted and severely damaged.

Culzean Castle

Maybole, South Ayrshire

A glorious 260ha estate, Culzean Castle, was once the playground of David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis. 

Opulent to the extreme, the park is planted with conifers and beech, sculpted around miles of sandy coastline dotted with caves, palm trees and finished off with a Swan Pond, an ice house, flamboyant formal gardens and fruit-filled glasshouses.

Designed by Robert Adam, this late 18th century castle, is perched on the Ayrshire cliffs. It offers everything an Earl could wish for in his country home,