Melrose Abbey, Roxburgh,Scotland. (14/7)
Described as one of the most beautiful monastic ruins in Great Britain, the abbey was founded in 1136. The present ruins date from 1590. Melrose Abbey is the burial sites of the heart of Scottish king Robert the Bruce, who died in 1329. His body is buried in Dunfermline Abbey , but he had requested his heart be buried at Melrose after being taken on a Crusade to the Holy Land. It only made the distance to Grenada ,Spain, when its carrier was killed in battle. The heart was recovered and returned to Scotland, where it was buried in Melrose Abbey. It’s claimed the heart was discovered by archaeologists In 1920, and was reburied, but the location was not marked. In 1996, a casket was unearthed during construction work, and scientists agreed that it contained human tissue and was of an appropriate age. It was reburied in Melrose Abbey in 1998.
Described as one of the most beautiful monastic ruins in Great Britain, the abbey was founded in 1136. The present ruins date from 1590. Melrose Abbey is the burial sites of the heart of Scottish king Robert the Bruce, who died in 1329. His body is buried in Dunfermline Abbey , but he had requested his heart be buried at Melrose after being taken on a Crusade to the Holy Land. It only made the distance to Grenada ,Spain, when its carrier was killed in battle. The heart was recovered and returned to Scotland, where it was buried in Melrose Abbey. It’s claimed the heart was discovered by archaeologists In 1920, and was reburied, but the location was not marked. In 1996, a casket was unearthed during construction work, and scientists agreed that it contained human tissue and was of an appropriate age. It was reburied in Melrose Abbey in 1998.
Loch Ness, Scotland. (22/7)
The ruins of Urquhart Castle on the shore of Loch Ness, Inverness-shire, Scotland. There is evidence of a structure on the site dating to the 6th century. The present castle probably dates from the 13th century. It was blown up in 1692 so that it could not be used by the Jacobites who were fighting for the return of Stuart kings.
The deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands is similar to many other lochs in Scotland in that its waters are murky. Loch Ness water has exceptionally low visibility due to a high peat content in the surrounding soil.
The ruins of Urquhart Castle on the shore of Loch Ness, Inverness-shire, Scotland. There is evidence of a structure on the site dating to the 6th century. The present castle probably dates from the 13th century. It was blown up in 1692 so that it could not be used by the Jacobites who were fighting for the return of Stuart kings.
The deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands is similar to many other lochs in Scotland in that its waters are murky. Loch Ness water has exceptionally low visibility due to a high peat content in the surrounding soil.
Loch Ness, Scotland. (22/7)
Ruins of Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Scotland. Most of the visible buildings date from 1509. The castle was blown up in 1692 and was never rebuilt.
From the promontory the castle occupies, it is possible to see almost the full 37km (23 miles) length of Loch Ness.
Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area, but due to its great depth, it is the largest by volume. Its deepest point is 230 m (755 ft), It contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.
Ruins of Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Scotland. Most of the visible buildings date from 1509. The castle was blown up in 1692 and was never rebuilt.
From the promontory the castle occupies, it is possible to see almost the full 37km (23 miles) length of Loch Ness.
Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area, but due to its great depth, it is the largest by volume. Its deepest point is 230 m (755 ft), It contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.
Stonehenge England. (12/3)
Stonehenge in Wiltshire is an ancient series of large standing stones and a burial site. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the building of the monument at the site began around the year 3100 BC and ended around the year 1600 BC. The stones used in the construction vary from a couple of tonnes to up to 25 tonnes, depending on the type of rock used. They were brought from distances which varied between a few kilometres and nearly 400 kilometres (250 miles) away.
Stonehenge in Wiltshire is an ancient series of large standing stones and a burial site. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the building of the monument at the site began around the year 3100 BC and ended around the year 1600 BC. The stones used in the construction vary from a couple of tonnes to up to 25 tonnes, depending on the type of rock used. They were brought from distances which varied between a few kilometres and nearly 400 kilometres (250 miles) away.
Prehistoric monument, Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England. (12/3)
The World Heritage Listed site is the best known and the most impressive of more than 900 stone rings found in the British Isles.
The World Heritage Listed site is the best known and the most impressive of more than 900 stone rings found in the British Isles.
Tarr Steps, Devon, England. (15/3)
Arthur Shannon standing on prehistoric stepping stones across the River Barle, which possibly date from 1000 BC. The river rises on Exmoor in Somerset and finishes when it enters the River Exe in Devon. The river is a designated biological Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Arthur Shannon standing on prehistoric stepping stones across the River Barle, which possibly date from 1000 BC. The river rises on Exmoor in Somerset and finishes when it enters the River Exe in Devon. The river is a designated biological Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Scene in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset, England. (26/3)
Legend has it that the remains of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere were discovered here in 1191 and finally re-interred in front of the high altar in 1276, in the presence of Edward I. The roped off location of the altar can be seen in the middle foreground of this photo.
The abbey was founded in the 7th century when a community of monks was set up in AD 63. The building was enlarged in the 10th century, before a major fire destroyed the buildings in 1184. It was rebuilt and by the 14th century was one of the richest and most powerful monasteries in England. The abbey was suppressed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII of England
Then ,without warning, in 1539 the abbey's valuables were confiscated on the orders of Thomas Cromwell. The ruins of the abbey itself were stripped of all lead ,and dressed stones were hauled away to be used in other buildings. Further stones were removed in the 17th century, so that by the beginning of the 18th century it was described as a ruin.
Early in the 19th century gunpowder was used to dislodge further stones and the site became a quarry.
The Ancient Monuments Protection Act of 1882 stopped further damage to the site.
Legend has it that the remains of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere were discovered here in 1191 and finally re-interred in front of the high altar in 1276, in the presence of Edward I. The roped off location of the altar can be seen in the middle foreground of this photo.
The abbey was founded in the 7th century when a community of monks was set up in AD 63. The building was enlarged in the 10th century, before a major fire destroyed the buildings in 1184. It was rebuilt and by the 14th century was one of the richest and most powerful monasteries in England. The abbey was suppressed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII of England
Then ,without warning, in 1539 the abbey's valuables were confiscated on the orders of Thomas Cromwell. The ruins of the abbey itself were stripped of all lead ,and dressed stones were hauled away to be used in other buildings. Further stones were removed in the 17th century, so that by the beginning of the 18th century it was described as a ruin.
Early in the 19th century gunpowder was used to dislodge further stones and the site became a quarry.
The Ancient Monuments Protection Act of 1882 stopped further damage to the site.
Glastonbury, Somerset, England. (26/3)
The Abbots Kitchen (built 1435-40), in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey.
In the 14th century, only Westminster Abbey was wealthier than Glastonbury.
The abbot of Glastonbury lived well ,as shown by the remains of the abbot's kitchen, with four huge fireplaces at its corners. The kitchen was part of the magnificent Abbot's house and is one of the best preserved medieval kitchens in Europe.
It is the only substantial monastic building surviving at Glastonbury.
The Abbots Kitchen (built 1435-40), in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey.
In the 14th century, only Westminster Abbey was wealthier than Glastonbury.
The abbot of Glastonbury lived well ,as shown by the remains of the abbot's kitchen, with four huge fireplaces at its corners. The kitchen was part of the magnificent Abbot's house and is one of the best preserved medieval kitchens in Europe.
It is the only substantial monastic building surviving at Glastonbury.
The round keep of a Norman Castle, Totnes, Devon, England. (17/3) The castle is described as the best preserved example of a Norman motte and baily castle in England. Earthworks on the site date from the 11th century, while the remaining parts of the castle date from the 14th century
A Norman doorway in Dunfermline Abbey, Fifeshire,Scotland. (11/7)
Dunfermline Abbey is one of Scotland's most important cultural sites.
The medieval Benedictine Abbey was sacked in 1560 during the Scottish Reformation.
A church was subsequently built on the site and this included some parts of the former abbey.
Dunfermline Abbey is one of Scotland's most important cultural sites.
The medieval Benedictine Abbey was sacked in 1560 during the Scottish Reformation.
A church was subsequently built on the site and this included some parts of the former abbey.
The ruins of Tintagel Castle, on the Cornish coast, England. (26/3)
Tintagel was a Roman settlement, then a trading settlement during the 5th and 6th centuries.
In folklore, the site is the birthplace of legendary King Arthur in the late 400s or early 500s. The ruins are those of a castle built in the 1200s.
Tintagel was a Roman settlement, then a trading settlement during the 5th and 6th centuries.
In folklore, the site is the birthplace of legendary King Arthur in the late 400s or early 500s. The ruins are those of a castle built in the 1200s.
Part of the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, Scotland. (14/7)
The abbey was established in 1150, and destroyed in 1544. The life of the abbey ended in 1600 when all of its canons had died. Four years later all remaining possessions of Dryburgh Abbey were integrated into the estate of the 2nd Earl of Mar. Famous Scottish poet and writer,Sir Walter Scott, and Earl Haig, the British commander- in -chief on the western front during World War I, are buried here.
The abbey was established in 1150, and destroyed in 1544. The life of the abbey ended in 1600 when all of its canons had died. Four years later all remaining possessions of Dryburgh Abbey were integrated into the estate of the 2nd Earl of Mar. Famous Scottish poet and writer,Sir Walter Scott, and Earl Haig, the British commander- in -chief on the western front during World War I, are buried here.
Ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, Scotland. (14/7) The Abbey ,near the town of Dryburgh on the banks of the River Tweed , was nominally founded in 1150 . It was burned by English troops in 1322, after which it was restored only to be again burned by Richard II in 1385. In 1443, fire again destroyed the abbey, this time evidently by accident. After yet another restoration it flourished in the 15th century. In 1541, hostilities between Scotland and England resumed and in November 1544, the town of Dryburgh and its abbey were both burned. English-backed forces returned the following year and again set fire to the abbey.