"Experience and Enjoy the historic, magical enchantments you will find in the Heart of Midlothian"

Founded by David I in 1140 for the Cistercian order of monks. The monks seem to have been the earliest coalminers in Scotland, digging out the 'black stanis' from the 13th century onward. As a result of successive raids by English armies, including that of Richard II in 1385, the Abbey was virtually destroyed by the time of the Reformation, when it passed into the hands of its commendator or abbot, Mark Ker. Work started on the present building about 1580, but he area of the crypt was probably completed in the 14th century. Many fine features include some beautiful Italian plaster ceilings of the 17th or 18th century. The grounds are also of great interest and include two very large stone sundials dating from 1635.

Marie de Soucie, Queen of Scots, died in France. The Queen's wish was that her body should be taken to Scotland and buried "at her beloved Newbottle Abbey". The precise burial site is not known, despite several archaeological digs at Newbattle.

The grounds of Newbattle also include Bishop Leighton's House, by the "Haunted Lothian Aisle" ,...a "gingerbread" 16th century house saved from demolition in the 1992. The house was extensively restored with visionary grant aid from Midlothian Council. Robert Leighton was minister of Newbattle Kirk, later became the first Principal of Edinburgh University and was appointed Bishop of Dunkeld . He was crowned Archbishop of Glasgow in an attempt by Charles II to find common ground between episcopacy and presbyterianism. (Thus Robert Leighton became the only "presbyterian archbishop". ) Robert Leighton built up a fine collection of books now housed at the Leighton library in Dunkeld.

The grounds at Newbattle also include King David's Well and beautiful woodland walk along the banks of the river Esk to "The Maiden Bridge".

Further info: Midlothian Online

Go to other attractions:

Roslin Battlesite
Roslin Chapel
Edinburgh Crystal
Day Trip to Edinburgh
Black Diamonds Mining Museum
Butterfly World & Bird of Prey Centre
Arniston House
Glenkinchie Distillery
Soutra Aisle
Newbattle Abbey
Vogrie Green Country Park
Crichton Castle
Fairies O' Carlops & Icelandic Horse Pentland Hills Trecking Centre
Midlothian Dry Ski Slope
The Corn Exchange, Dalkeith
Day Tours to the Borders
Day Trip to West Lothian & Stirling
Day Trip to Loch Lomond
Day Trip to East Lothian & Berwickshire