Dundonald and Crossraguel

Recently a very successful Scottish Branch outing to Dundonald Castle and Crossraguel Abbey in Ayrshire.

Not the destinations we had intended but circumstances rather conspired against us . The intention had been a visit to Rowallan Castle and to Dean Castle in Kilmarnock with their associations with Mary. However access problems to Rowallan and literally only a few days beforehand intimation that Dean Castle was closed to all after masonry fell from the peel tower and the site considered dangerous.

Full credit for Society member Ann McMillan for reorganising everything at very short notice and as seems commonly to happen in these circumstances everything went so smoothly and a most excellent day out enjoyed by all.

In fairness not too much to do with Mary, although she may have visited Crossraguel when she stayed at Dunure Castle on her progress to the west and south west of Scotland in 1563.

Dundonald much more associated with King Robert 11 of Scotland who probably rebuilt it on his accession to the throne in 1371, almost certainly his favourite castle and where he died in 1390.

Crossraguel a finely preserved mediaeval monastery of the Cluniac Order which emerged virtually unscathed from the Reformation.

Two excellent guides with lots of background information from Ann herself. Good company, good meals and a splendid day out.

To view images of the day; - http://mariestuart.jalbum.net/Ayrshire/

above; Looking down from the Gatehouse at the Abbey to the Cloisters

below; Ann hold court in the sedilia and three members look on enrapt.

Ronald