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External Reference
Event ID 920578
Category Documentary Reference
Type External Reference
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/920578
(Location cited as NJ 9685 4810: nominated as Site of Regional Significance). Remains of Deer Abbey; Cistercian, founded in 1219. The abbey's history is obscure and, judging from the remains, the community could never have been large. In 1544 an abbot and eleven monks were recorded. The abbey fell into disrepair in the late 16th century, being partially dismantled from c. 1590.
In 1809 the ruins were cleared of rubbish and repaired by the then proprietor, James Ferguson of Pitfour (the S range being partially rebuilt), but in 1854 it was practically destroyed by Admiral Ferguson in order to build a mausoleum in the grounds. In 1930, the remains were bought by the Roman Catholic Church who gave custody to the Ministry of Works. The mausoleum was removed and the Abbey repaired and laid out as it is today.
The remains of the church and cloister can be seen along with the domestic W and S range with the kitchen and refectory, also the chapter-house, toilets, abbot's house and infirmary.
A symbol stone, sculptured on both sides, stood some years ago at the E end of a range of buildings, but there is now no trace of it.
Finds from Stones' excavations of 1985 are held in Aberdeen [City] Museum.
[Air photographic references and newspaper/typescript references cited].
NMRS, MS/712/35.
