Arbroath Abbey is a ruined Tironensian monastery in the Angus town of Arbroath, founded in 1178 by William the Lion and best known for the Declaration of Arbroath, the letter to the Pope dated there on 6 April 1320. It is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland, which charges £8.50 for an adult ticket and opens the abbey daily, with last entry 45 minutes before closing. The abbey stands in the centre of Arbroath, around half a mile from the railway station, and its visitor centre tells the story of the Declaration.

History of Arbroath Abbey

William the Lion and the Founding of Arbroath Abbey, 1178

William I of Scotland, known as William the Lion, founded Arbroath Abbey in 1178 and asked Tironensian monks from Kelso Abbey to establish the monastery, according to Historic Environment Scotland. The abbey was meant as a memorial to the king’s childhood friend Thomas Becket, the murdered Archbishop of Canterbury, to help the king expand his authority in the north-east of Scotland and to demonstrate his right to rule. William was buried in front of the high altar after his death in 1214, a break with the earlier tradition of burying Scottish monarchs at Dunfermline Abbey, and Historic Environment Scotland says the abbey was among the country’s grandest monasteries for close to four centuries.

The Declaration of Arbroath, 6 April 1320

The Declaration of Arbroath is a letter to Pope John XXII sent in the name of 39 Scottish nobles, barons and freemen, according to Historic Environment Scotland, in response to the Pope’s renewed excommunication of Robert the Bruce. Bruce had beaten Edward II of England at Bannockburn in 1314, but the Wars of Independence went on. He had been excommunicated in 1306 after the murder of his rival John Comyn and was absolved by Bishop Wishart of Glasgow, and after he captured Berwick in 1318 during a papal truce, the English persuaded the Pope to renew the excommunication.

The letter was an apologia, a formal written defence, setting out Scotland’s case that it was an independent, sovereign kingdom. Historic Environment Scotland says Bernard, Abbot of Arbroath and chancellor to Robert I, most likely drafted it, and National Records of Scotland likewise says it was probably drawn up by Abbot Bernard. A Historic Environment Scotland blog notes that although the letter is dated at Arbroath, the nobles were gathered not there but at a general council at Newbattle Abbey, south of Edinburgh; Abbot Bernard took the documents back to his abbey to complete them, and the seals may have been obtained in the nobles’ absence.

The surviving original is the file copy held by National Records of Scotland (reference SP13/7), the only version to survive in its original form. National Records of Scotland says 19 seals remain and that as many as 50 may once have been attached. National Museums Scotland adds that the barons did not sign the letter but attached wax seals to show they authorised its contents, and that the title Declaration of Arbroath is a modern one.

Arbroath Abbey’s Church and Monastic Buildings

Arbroath Abbey’s church had a presbytery, a monks’ choir, two transepts and a nave, and the presbytery and south transept survive to a large extent, according to Historic Environment Scotland. The most complete part is the west front, which Historic Environment Scotland describes as a striking example of European twin-towered church design. The domestic buildings were grouped around a small cloister south of the church and, unusually, a second cloister further south; most survive only as foundations, apart from the gatehouse, the guesthouse and the abbot’s house, which Historic Environment Scotland says is one of the most complete abbots’ residences in Britain.

Arbroath Abbey After the Reformation and the Round O

Religious life at Arbroath Abbey continued until the Protestant Reformation of 1560, and parts of the buildings were dismantled in 1580 to build a new burgh church, according to Historic Environment Scotland, which says their condition has been much the same since 1700. The circular window in the south transept gable, known as the Round O, became a landmark for mariners and was rebuilt in 1809 by Robert Stevenson, grandfather of the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson.

Arbroath Abbey and the Stone of Destiny, 1951

The Stone of Destiny was taken from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1950 by four University of Glasgow students and reappeared on 11 April 1951 at the site of the high altar at Arbroath Abbey, according to a Historic Environment Scotland blog. It was returned to Westminster Abbey in February 1952 and moved to Perth Museum in 2024, so the stone itself is not at Arbroath; Historic Environment Scotland says the abbey’s exhibition has a copy.

Visiting Arbroath Abbey: Practical Information

Opening hours: According to Historic Environment Scotland, the abbey is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm from 1 April to 30 September and from 10am to 4pm from 1 October to 31 March, closing for lunch from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing, and the abbey is closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January. Earlier Historic Environment Scotland notices restricted access to the abbey’s internal spaces and the upper level of the visitor centre during masonry inspections; the current plan-your-visit page lists no restriction, but check it before you travel.

Ticket prices: Adult £8.50, concession £6.80, child (7 to 15) £4. Historic Scotland members and Explorer Pass holders enter free, and Young Scot and National Entitlement Card holders aged 7 to 25 pay £1 under the Scottish Young Person discount. Members of English Heritage, Cadw and the Manx national heritage body receive free or discounted entry. Visitors with disabilities pay standard rates, and up to two accompanying carers enter free per transaction. Book through the Historic Scotland ticket site.

Getting there: The abbey is on Abbey Street, Arbroath, DD11 1EG, in the centre of the town and around 0.5 miles from the railway station; Historic Environment Scotland gives no walking time. The National Grid reference is NO 643 413 and the coordinates are 56.5623, -2.5819. Plan public transport with Traveline Scotland, and there is a bicycle rack at the abbey. The phone number is 01241 878 756.

Parking: There is a small tarmac car park on a slight incline with six spaces, one of them a marked accessible bay, and Historic Environment Scotland warns that parking is very limited.

Accessibility: The approach to the site is about 20 metres on a paved path. The visitor centre’s ground floor, with the shop, ticket office and exhibition, is step-free with a level floor, though some areas are dimly lit. The first floor of the exhibition is reached by a flight of stone stairs and is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with serious walking difficulties; Historic Environment Scotland says it is reviewing this. Most of the abbey is on the level, with some grass and gravel surfaces. Two of the audio-visual films have subtitles and the others are silent. There is an accessible toilet, and a limited number of adult and children’s ear defenders can be borrowed from staff.

Facilities and dogs: The site has a visitor centre with an exhibition and shop, self-service tea and coffee, and toilets. Visitors’ dogs are allowed on a lead in outdoor areas but not in roofed areas, must not be left unattended, and owners must pick up after them; assistance dogs are permitted throughout, including roofed areas.

How long to allow and best time to visit: Historic Environment Scotland publishes no suggested visit length and no recommended time of year.

Managing body: Arbroath Abbey is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Nearby: Historic Environment Scotland lists St Vigeans Sculptured Stones Museum (2 miles, closed in autumn and winter), Carlungie Earth House (9 miles) and Aberlemno Sculptured Stones (12 miles) as nearby sites.

Prices last checked: October 2026. Opening hours last checked: October 2026. Prices, hours, parking and access checked against the Historic Environment Scotland plan-your-visit page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Arbroath Abbey?

An adult ticket costs £8.50, a concession £6.80 and a child aged 7 to 15 £4, according to Historic Environment Scotland. Historic Scotland members enter free, and Young Scot and National Entitlement Card holders aged 7 to 25 pay £1.

What are the opening times of Arbroath Abbey?

From 1 April to 30 September the abbey is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm, and from 1 October to 31 March daily from 10am to 4pm, closing for lunch from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing, and the abbey is closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January.

Is there parking at Arbroath Abbey?

Yes, but very little: there is a small tarmac car park on a slight incline with six spaces, one of them a marked accessible bay, according to Historic Environment Scotland. The abbey is around half a mile from Arbroath railway station.

What is the Declaration of Arbroath?

The Declaration of Arbroath is a letter to Pope John XXII, dated at Arbroath on 6 April 1320 and sent in the name of Scottish nobles, setting out Scotland’s case as an independent kingdom under Robert the Bruce. Historic Environment Scotland describes it as a formal written defence in response to the Pope’s renewed excommunication of Bruce.

Who wrote the Declaration of Arbroath?

Abbot Bernard of Arbroath, chancellor to Robert the Bruce, most likely drafted it, according to Historic Environment Scotland. National Records of Scotland also says it was probably drawn up by Abbot Bernard.

Was the Declaration of Arbroath signed at Arbroath Abbey?

No, not in the usual sense: the barons did not sign it, and Historic Environment Scotland says they were gathered at a general council at Newbattle Abbey rather than at Arbroath. The letter is dated at Arbroath, where Abbot Bernard took the documents back to complete them, and wax seals were attached to show the barons authorised its contents.

Is the Stone of Destiny at Arbroath Abbey?

No, the Stone of Destiny is at Perth Museum, and Arbroath Abbey’s exhibition has a copy, according to Historic Environment Scotland. The stone was left at the abbey’s high altar on 11 April 1951 after four students took it from Westminster Abbey, and it was then returned to London.

Nearby Chronicle Trails Guides

For another Scottish abbey ruin with a Robert the Bruce connection, see our guide to Melrose Abbey, and for more of the Wars of Independence, visit the National Wallace Monument. Browse more Churches & Cathedrals guides, or head to the Scotland hub for the rest of the country.