Ardchattan Priory

Ardchattan Priory choir

MacDougall Cross, commissioned by Prior Eugenius MacDougall in 1500; front (left) and back (right)

The choir and screen.

Ardchattan Priory was a Valliscaulian monastic community in Ardchattan, Argyll, Scotland.

History

The Priory was founded in 1230 by Duncan MacDougal, Lord of Argyll. The most widely believed origin of Clan Chattan is that Clan MacDougal appointed Gillichattan Mor as the Ballie or protector of the Priory lands on their behalf.

In 1308, Robert the Bruce's campaign in the area included holding a council of local chiefs at the Priory, which is believed to have been the last Gaelic-speaking parliament in Scotland.

From the early 14th century, the Prior of Ardchattan held the chantership of Lismore Cathedral.

In April 1510 the Priory was incorporated as a cell of Beauly Priory and may have become Cistercian, but the evidence is slight. It was annexed to the bishopric of the Isles in 1615.

The Priory passed into the hands of Clan Campbell in the 16th century who converted the south range of the conventual buildings into a private dwelling house, and the choir and transepts of the church were used for parochial worship. The monastic church fell into disuse, except for the purpose of burial, following the erection of a new parish church in 1731–2. The priory church was then quarried for stone and is now heavily ruined.

Priory

The priory church was cruciform in plan, with a small 13th century nave and transepts and a much larger 15th century choir. The remains are complicated by two 17th century burial enclosures which abut them. The stone screen separating the choir from the rest of the church survives, while a tomb chest and piscina survive further east. The nave has largely vanished, but had a narrow north aisle. The remains also shelter a number of carved stones. To the south of the church was a cloister fifteen by sixteen metres, now largely built over by the later house. The 15th century refectory is the only claustral building to survive, though it was subdivided in 1713. The vaulted refectory pulpit survives and was restored in 1960. The Priory structure, the burial ground and the carved stones have been collectively designated a scheduled ancient monument by Historic Environment Scotland.

Gardens

According to the Ardchattan Priory Gardens website, "a garden has existed at Ardchattan for over 700 years, since Valliscaulian monks, from a little known order in Burgundy, first settled here, on the north shore of Loch Etive. Facing south, with spectacular views over Loch Etive, one can look east to Ben Cruachan and west to the hills of Mull, the monks chose their site well."

There are a number of roses in the priory gardens, herbaceous borders, and over thirty varieties of trees. "On entering the garden, shrub walks lead off the main drive. The neutral soil and temperate climate allow a wide variety of plants to thrive: a huge Cornus kousa, Eucryphia glutinosa, Hoheria lyalii mingle with scented roses and philadelphus. A wild flower meadow planted under a variety of sorbus trees is a more recent addition. Extensive lawns are bordered by herbaceous beds, roses and a rockery."

The gardens are also listed by Historic Environment Scotland because of their high historical, horticultural and scenic value.

Yew Trees

"Ardchattan Priory whose yew trees (Taxus baccata), according to other accounts, were inspected by Robert the Bruce and cut to make at least some of the longbows used at the Battle of Bannockburn."

Burials

• Séon Carsuel

Bibliography

• Cowan, Ian B. & Easson, David E., Medieval Religious Houses: Scotland With an Appendix on the Houses in the Isle of Man, Second Edition, (London, 1976), p. 83
• Watt, D.E.R. & Shead, N.F. (eds.), The Heads of Religious Houses in Scotland from the 12th to the 16th Centuries, The Scottish Records Society, New Series, Volume 24, (Edinburgh, 2001), pp. 10–1

See also

• Prior of Ardchattan
• Clan MacDougall
• Clan Chattan
• Clan Campbell
• Donnchadh of Argyll

External links

• Ardchattan Priory Gardens website