Glenluce Abbey Glenluce Abbey, Barnsallie Farm, Glenluce, Newton Stewart DG8 0JH, UK

Glenluce Abbey, near to Glenluce, Scotland, was a Cistercian monastery called also Abbey of Luce or Vallis Lucis and founded around 1190 by Rolland or Lochlann, Lord of Galloway and Constable of Scotland.

Learn about 400 years of monastic life in the valley of the Water of Luce. The last monks at the time of the Reformation embraced the reformed religion and were left to live out their days in the cloister.

What to see and do

• Soak up the same peace and solitude that the monks would have enjoyed in this secluded valley setting
• Marvel at the chapter house built around 1500 – still roofed and complete – with its fine features and acoustics
• See the south transept, a well-preserved fragment of 13th-century Cistercian architecture
• Find out about monastic life in the on-site museum – on display is a fascinating collection of artefacts found here

Access

Parking

The main car park is level gravel, about 70m from the site.

There is an accessible tarmac bay next to the visitor centre. Please call 01557 331 856 to arrange to use this.

Approach to site

The visitor centre and museum is 70m from the main car park along a slightly sloping tarmac road.

Visitor centre

The visitor centre and museum has step-free access.

Monument

Most of the monument is on the level. The surface is relatively even grass, which is firmer in dry weather.

There are numerous archaeological remains within the grass. They include open holes measuring around 30cm by 15cm. These remnants of a water supply system are not enclosed and can be very difficult to see.

Two small steps lead to the cloister, which is surfaced in deep gravel.

The chapter house has three stone steps down into it (no handrail).

Toilets

Nearest adapted toilet is at:

Stairhaven
Glenluce

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome:

• at all Historic Scotland properties
• within roofed areas