Inchcolm Abbey

Inchcolm is located in the Firth of Forth and is where you can visit the remains of the abbey (with the same name), the best preserved medieval abbey in Scotland. Legend has it that in 1123 the island was inhabited by a hermit who, during the biggest storm ever recorded, risked his life to save King Alexander I. As a gesture of thanks, the king promised to build an abbey on the island. He died without being able to, but his brother, King David I, built this Augistinian Abbey following his wishes. The monastery was operational until 1560 when it was abandoned during the Reformation. Its location, being remote and difficult to access, means that it has been preserved in remarkable condition, with plenty of the original hallways and cloisters intact.