Paisley Abbey

This is an unofficial website for the Paisley Abbey. It hasn't been set up by anyone who works there, just by someone who loves its architecture and history.The Abbey was founded in 1163 by Walter FitzAlan as a Priory, due to it's increasing power and influence it was later made into a Monastery. Situated near a ford in the White Cart River running through the present day town of Paisley, Renfrewshire, Paisley, the Clunic Monastery of Paisley was one of the most powerful monasteries in Scotland.Due to it being founded by FitzAlan, who was the first High Steward of Scotland (his family name was changed to Stewart), the Abbey became associated with the Stewarts and the Bruces. It has also been said that William Wallace spent part of his life being educated in the Monastery that the Abbey formed part of. The Abbey is also one of the three abbeys in Scotland to have survived the Reformation.At one point after restoration work had been carried out during the Medieval Period, a spire was added to the Abbey's tower. This led to the towers collapse, but instead of falling straight down, it toppled into the choir, completely destroying it. The end of the nave was sealed off, and this allowed for the rest of the Abbey to be used as a church while the remains of the choir was used as a graveyard. It wasn't until the end of the 19th Centry that work was begun to restore the Abbey to how you see it today.Layout Provided By FreeCodeSource.com - Myspace Layouts Loch Lomond Capercaillie