Overview
Set sail for a very special island in the Firth of Forth – home to the best-preserved group of monastic buildings in Scotland. Originally a priory founded by David I, the abbey saw conflict as well as calm.
The island is also famed for its seals and other wildlife, and its coastal defences from the two World Wars. These were put in place to protect Rosyth naval base, the Forth Bridge and Edinburgh.
What to see and do
- Take in the abbey’s dramatic location – best seen from the boat as it docks at the island
- Get a sense of monastic life as you wander round the remarkably complete cloister
- Seek out the rare medieval fresco – the wall painting dates from the 13th century
- Look inside the bell tower for the stone screens, rare survivals of medieval church fixtures
- Take our fun fact-finding quiz
