Peterhead, Windmill Brae
Abbey (Medieval)(Possible), Long Cist (Early Medieval)(Possible), Well (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Peterhead, Windmill Brae
Classification Abbey (Medieval)(Possible), Long Cist (Early Medieval)(Possible), Well (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 21237
Site Number NK14NW 6
NGR NK 124 469
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/21237
- Council Aberdeenshire
- Parish Peterhead
- Former Region Grampian
- Former District Banff And Buchan
- Former County Aberdeenshire
NK14NW 6 124 469 and 1245 4690.
An abbey stood on Windmill Brae (of which only the Abbott's Well in the garden of Windmill House remains [Neish 1950]). An attempt has been made to identify it with a settlement called 'Monkisholme', believed to have been founded by the monks of Deer (Pratt 1901) but there is no record of this by Easson (1957) or Cowan (1964).
In 1793 (Laing 1793) the scant remains comprised 'some pieces of very thick wall...vast heaps of slates ...the foundations of one large house and a very indifferent spring ...called the Abbot's Well. A stone coffin full of bones, the pavement of a court and a monumental stone with figures and letters on it, were lately seen but are now covered with earth'.
W Laing 1793; J B Pratt 1901; R Neish 1950; D E Easson 1957; I B Cowan 1964.
There is no trace of an 'Abbey'. The Abbey Well was filled in 'many years ago' but the site was indicated, at NK 1245 4690, by the owner of Windmill House. No further information.
Visited by OS (EGC) 29 November 1962.
No change.
Visited by OS (RL) 17 December 1968.
