​Glen Luce Abbey was founded by Roland, Lord of Galloway, about 1192. The white clad Cistercian monks who settles in that secluded valley of the Water of Luce most probably come from Dundrennan Abbey near Kirkcudbright. They brought with them not only the austere way of life for which the Cistercians were renowned but also the sombre splendour of their architecture. The monastic life lasted 400 years . A long running dispute over rights to the abbey led in1560 to the monks taking up temporary exile in Maybole Ayrshire. The Reformation of the Scottish Church occurred at the same time effectively ending Glenluce’s days as a monastery. The 15 monks in residence at this watershed in Scittihs history embraced the reformed religion in return for being allowed to live out the reminder opf their days in their crumbling cloister. By 1602 the last monk had passed away ... and  ...in1619 the Diocese of Galloway annexed the estate and 20 years later the abbey re- emerged as a mans e and glebe. In 1933 the abbey ruins were entrusted to State care thereby bringing to an end almost 750 years of religious activity . ( Glenluce Abbey , Doreen Grove The Official Souvenir Guide 2003.) Back to Todds in Galloway

​

---