Sweetheart Abbey

You can visit the cloister, but due to access restrictions in place as a precautionary measure while we undertake high level masonry inspections, there is currently no visitor access to the rest of the site. Find out more about our conservation work

When her husband died in 1268, Lady Dervorgilla, had his heart embalmed and placed in an ivory casket which she carried everywhere with her. On her death, she was laid to rest with her husband's heart and the monks named the abbey in memory of her. Now under the care of Historic Scotland the romantic abbey is enclosed by an impressive precinct wall - a walk of massive granite boulders, ranking alongside the wall at St Andrews cathedral priory as the most complete in Scotland - and despite Scotland's turbulent history, it stands remarkably complete, in a beautiful setting nestled between the grey bulk of Criffel Hill and the shimmering waters of the Solway Firth.

Very occasionally the property has to close at short notice due to adverse weather conditions or other reasons out with our control. Please check the Historic Scotland closures page for any unexpected site closures https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/check-for-closures/. You can also follow closure tweets from @welovehistory using #hsclosure. Alternatively please call the site before setting off to check they are open.