Newbattle Abbey

Some of the stalls at a craft fair at Newbattle Abbey south east of Edinburgh were in the undercroft of the remains of the Cistercian Abbey built in 1140. Subsequently the abbey became a private house in 1587 with the last Abbot, Mark Kerr becoming the owner. The remains of the abbey were incorporated into the house which has been modified and rebuilt since with major decoration in early Victorian times. The south undercroft with its vaulted roof contains a large 17th century fireplace which I have cropped out due to several people at a stall but above it can be seen the coat-of-arms of the Kerr family, Marquesses of Lothian who owned the property for 350 years before presenting it to be used as a further education college. The Kerr sunburst of a smiling sun with radiating rays appears throughout the house and gardens but the stars here are part of the Christmas craft display.