Inchcolm Abbey and Island, Edinburgh

Inchcolm Abbey and Island has the most whole surviving remains of any Scottish monastic house. The cloisters, chapter house, warming house, and refectory are all complete, and most of the remaining cloistral buildings survive in a largely complete state. The least well-preserved part of the medieval abbey is the monastic church. While you explore, be on the lookout for an inscription carved above the entrance: "May this house stand until an ant drains the flowing sea, and a tortoise walks around the whole world." The ruins are cared for by Historic Scotland, which also maintains a visitor center near the landing pier where you can get plenty of information on the attraction and surrounding areas. See Inchcolm Abbey and Island and all Edinburgh has to offer by arranging your trip with our Edinburgh trip maker site.