Coldingham Priory

Descended from a monastic foundation of 643AD, one of the oldest in Scotland and the oldest still in use as a parish church, Coldingham Priory was refounded around 1100 and the ruined remains date from the early thirteenth century. The nave of the abbey church originally stretched nearly 40m across the churchyard, and the crossing tower and spire are said to have reached 90 feet (30m). Having been converted into a fortress in the Border wars of the sixteenth century, little now remains above ground, making the fine medieval architectural detail which survives in the choir, now used as the parish church, and the early cloisters and transept arch, all the more precious and evocative.

The feasibility study of this important monument carried out by Robin Kent Architecture & Conservation included archival research, a condition report and detailed budget costings for a conservation strategy including a range of repairs and measures for improving presentation and the tourist potential of the site, as well as a possible visitor centre. As a result, grant support was obtained for conservation works to conserve the monument so that it can continue to be enjoyed, and better appreciated, by visitors and parishioners alike.