Description

The abbey grounds and visitor centre, including the exhibition, shop and toilets, are open. Due to access restrictions in place as a precautionary measure during high level masonry inspections, the internal spaces of the abbey remain closed. Find out more on the HES website.

Read the Declaration of Arbroath in the abbey in which Scotland’s nobility proclaimed their independence from England around 1320. Or listen to your voice in the sacristy, which has one of the longest echoes in the country. The abbey was founded in 1178 by King William the Lion, who was buried here. You can learn more about the famous declaration in the visitor centre.

Opening Times
1 April to 30 September:
Monday to Sunday – 9.30am to 5.30pm (last entry 4.45pm)

1 October to 31 March:
Monday to Sunday – 10am to 4pm (last entry 3.15pm)

Closed for lunch from 12.30pm to 1.30pm

We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.

Accessibility
The visitor centre has step-free access and a platform lift to the first floor. There are large viewing windows and a virtual reconstruction of the abbey with an induction loop. There are areas of low lighting. Audio-visual displays tell the story of the Declaration of Arbroath. Two of the films have subtitles; the others are silent.

A limited number of adult and children’s ear defenders are available at this site. Please ask a member of staff if you want to borrow them.

Most of the Abbey is relatively level with grass and gravel surfaces. The nave and cloister have step-free access. The sacristy has two stone steps down into it. The lower gatehouse range has an audio-visual display with ramped access. The abbot’s house displays are reached via a stone spiral stair on several levels with a handrail from the first floor. The ground floor is accessed down a narrow ramp. There is an adapted toilet on site.

See the venue access guide.