Cambuskenneth Abbey

The small village of Cambuskenneth lies east of Stirling, and is almost enclosed within a Meandering of the River Forth. Within this secluded setting King David I asked the Augustinians in 1140 to found, what is now called Cambuskenneth, but was either Abbey of St Mary or the Abbey of Stirling.
Due to Cambuskenneth 's Abbey Royal connections and links with Stirling Castle, it quickly gained considerable wealth and influence. The Cambuskenneth Abbey was very extensive during the 1200s, including a large church and an array of domestic buildings. To its east was a several associated buildings, one of which can still in part be seen today. The very Scottish connections which gave Cambuskenneth Abbey its wealth and status also worked against it when Stirling Castle was under English control. By 1378 the main building of the abbey church was in ruins, however by the early 1400's it was rebuilt and back to its former status. At the Battle of Sauchie on 11th June 1488 the supporters of James III, against his son James, Duke of Rothesay were fighting, although James III ran off before the battle started he was subsequently later killed. James III was buried at Cambuskenneth Abbey in front of the high altar of the abbey church, beside his Queen, Margaret of Denmark, who had died in 1486. The burial ground and the tomb of James III and Margaret of Denmark can still be seen today.