Cambuskenneth Abbey

This is Cambuskenneth Abbey in Stirling, Scotland. Most of the abbey is in ruins but the free-standing belltower (or campanile) remains. It is unique in Scotland. The Abbey was founded in 1140 and served King David 1 at Stirling Castle.

It hosted Robert Bruce's parliament in 1326. It is also the final resting place for King James III and his Queen Margaret of Denmark. King James III was killed in 1488. He left the scene of the Battle of Sauchie Burn, a civil war battle between his royalist army and a rebel force led by his son Prince James. He fled without an escort and "fell into the hands of vile men and was slain." His son took the throne as King James IV.

It's a peaceful place now with fine views of Stirling and its Castle and of the Wallace Monument. The Abbey was ruined c 1560 and its stones used as quarry. The belltower is thought to have survived because at over 20m tall it served as a good lookout tower over the Carse of Stirling.