Kilwinning Abbey

[Kilwinning Abbey]

The south transept of this once great building soars high above Kilwinning town centre. The abbey was built in the 12th century as a daughter house of Kelso Abbey, with the widest medieval church in Scotland at its centre. Much of the stonework was plundered or demolished for a new church in the 1700s, but it's still a very attractive aspect of the town and Main Street. The impressive clock tower on the northwest side is a modern (well, early 19th century!) addition, and its interior is open to the public on summer Sundays afternoons; as well as seeing the museum exhibits, you can climb the spiral stairs to see the bells, chiming mechanism and the excellent views from the roof.

[View from the tower (22/6/18)]

📌 Kilwinning Abbey & Heritage Centre ★★☆☆☆
Location: Main Street, Kilwinning, G.R.: NS 303433 ///dislikes.episode.fallen
Open (2019): Abbey ruins: always; Heritage centre: Easter weekend plus Friday to Sunday afternoons, mid-May to mid-September
Cost: Free

[Clock tower (22/6/18)]

[View north from the top of the tower (22/6/18)]

[Clock mechanism (22/6/18)]

[Mason marks in the tower stairwell (22/6/18)]

[Inside the tower (22/6/18)]

[Bells (22/6/18)]

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