Academic book published by local author
During the inception of Mauchline CARS the local community were asked to consider areas of Mauchline’s history or heritage which could be researched as part of the wider project. This could assist in deepening our understanding of the village’s past, and how that shaped its current appearance, layout and function.
Local illustrator and historian Elizabeth Dunlop identified a gap in the written documentation related to the White Monks of Melrose and their time at their Church in Mauchline. Elizabeth’s research included trawling the statutory medieval records concerning the activities of the estates of Melrose Abbey held in various archives and a plethora of secondary sources.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Elizabeth for her dedication to this project, she has managed to take a largely undocumented piece of Mauchline’s history and through tireless study produce a book focused on the function of the Monks, their grange and the lands of Mauchline.
From ancient times in the conflict-plagued region of Kyle, The White Monks of Melrose and their Church at Mauchline charts the progression of Christianity until the Reformation of 1560.
The coming of the Cistercian monks in c.1165 gradually established the community which became Mauchline and the growing influence of this important grange and its oratory is revealed together with the problems that almost constant war with England throughout the medieval age brought to the district.
The dispersal of the immense monastic estate in the last decades before the Reformation is fully discussed and prominent figures of the vicinity are documented, including:
- the Norman overlord, Walter FitzAlan
- the Lollard, Adam Reid of Barskimming
- the great Mauchline reformer and a leading adversary of King James VI, John Durie
- and the tragic Failford martyr, Adam Wallace
The extensive appendix explores the famous legend of the Mauchline Quern, the mysterious church at Ballinclog and the perplexing story of the Lollards of Kyle.
– Elizabeth Dunlop
Where to buy the book
Copies of the book are available to order direct from our publisher Dane Love of Carn Publishing.
We would like to offer our thanks to Dane for his support in publishing the book and his continued support during the publishing process.
Proceeds from the sale of this book go to Mauchline Community Association.
Order 'The White Monks of Melrose and Their Church at Mauchline' £18.00
