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Inchmahome Priory

Port of Monteith, Stirling
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Cross Scotland’s only lake to explore a peaceful, wooded island chosen as a monastic sanctuary. Robert the Bruce sought solace at Inchmahome Priory and Mary Queen of Scots found safety here as a child.

Walter Comyn founded Inchmahome Priory for a small community of Augustinian canons around 1238.

The priory was built on the largest of three islands in the Lake of Menteith. This secluded location offered peace and isolotion for the residents and their royal visitors.

Long after monastic life had ended, Sir Walter Scott revived the island’s popularity. His Romantic novels and a new railway brought tourists flocking to the area in the 1800s.

A Historic Scotland staff member in a lifejacket using a tiller to dock a small boat at a stone jetty
A small blue boat moored at a stone jetty

Then as now, vistors approached the island by boat before exploring the enchanting ruins, which include a finely decorated processional doorway and the old chapter house, filled with special stone memorials.

The idyllic island is abundant with wildlife, flowers and trees. They include the special boxwood bower which is still associated with Mary Queen of Scots, who found sanctuary here when she was just four years old. Three gnarled sweet chestnut trees are thought to date from the 1500s.

A grass courtyard enclosed by stone walls and ruined buildings. It is flanked by a gravel path and wooden benches.
A close-up of an ornate Gothic stone archway framing a view of a large and ornate window.

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