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All the United Kingdom Scotland Saddell Saddell Abbey Grave Slabs

Saddell Abbey Grave Slabs

The carved medieval stones stand near the ruined abbey's parking lot.

Saddell, Scotland

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Sandra McGhee
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Carved grave slabs.   Scottish Viewpoint/Alamy
Carved gravestones.   Oliver Dixon/cc by-sa 2.0
Carved gravestones.   ssm67alba / Atlas Obscura User
Abbey Ruins   ssm67alba / Atlas Obscura User
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Saddell Abbey is little more than a heap of ruins. But though the site is a stony shell of its former self, it still holds wonderful treasures from its past.

Just before you approach the ruins, you’ll come across a dozen large, carved stones safely nestled within a shelter built to protect them from the elements. These enormous grave slabs, which date from the 14th through 16th centuries, are a sight to behold.

Each slab features an effigy of the body once buried beneath it. Stand before the mighty markers, and you’ll spot depictions of what look like lords donned in full armor, knights, and priests. It’s believed that the largest of the four stones were carved on Iona, an island home to one of Western Europe’s oldest centers for Christianity.

Saddell Abbey itself dates to 1160 CE. It was all but abandoned by the second half of the 14th century, though burials continued to take place. The site also contains a holy well, which trickles into a 19th-century stone basin.

Related Tags

Monks Gravestones Medieval Ruins Monuments Graves

Know Before You Go

Park for free at Saddell Village then follow the signs. Entry to the ruined abbey and stone shelter are free.

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Added By

ssm67alba

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe

  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

September 10, 2018

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Sources
  • https://canmore.org.uk/site/38866/saddell-abbey
  • https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/carradale/saddellabbey/index.html
Saddell Abbey Grave Slabs
Saddell Abbey
Saddell, Scotland
United Kingdom
55.531838, -5.510708
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Nearby Places

'Land'

Saddell, Scotland

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Saddell

Saddell

Scotland

Places 2

Nearby Places

'Land'

Saddell, Scotland

miles away

Machrie Moor Standing Stones

Machrie, Scotland

miles away

Davaar Island Cave Painting

Argyll and Bute, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Saddell

Saddell

Scotland

Places 2

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