New Abbey, also known as Sweetheart Abbey, lies eight miles south of Dumfries. It was founded in 1275 by Dervorguilla of Galloway, daughter of Alan, Lord of Galloway. She did so in memory of her husband John de Balliol.
His embalmed heart was buried alongside her in a casket of ivory and silver when she died. The monks at the Abbey renamed the Abbey in tribute to her. The couple's son, John, became king of Scotland. His reign was tragically short. The graves became lost over the years of depredations.
New Abbey is made of local sandstone and was founded as a daughter house to Dundrennan Abbey. The Novum Monasterium, New Monastery, became known as the New Abbey.
There is a small village beside New Abbey. It took its name after the abbey and is also called New Abbey. If you walk through the village to the other end, you will come upon a corn mill. It has been fully restored to working order, and is used regularly during the summer to show visitors how oatmeal is produced.
For information about the corn mill, visit the link below.
