History

Newbattle Abbey is a 16th Century house which occupies the site of a 12th Century Abbey. The Abbey was founded in 1140 by King David 1st on behalf of the Cistercian order. The last abbot, Mark Kerr passed the building to his son, also Mark who became the Marquess of Lothian in 1701 and built a house on the site. This house was modified successively by William Burn in 1836 and David Bryce in 1858. In the 1870’s while further alterations were being made to the porch and staircase, workmen discovered underground crypts which had been buried and lost. Excavation work revealed features which belonged to the post-1385 restoration. The hidden area was reconstituted and now includes a chapel. Newbattle Abbey remained the home of the Marquesses of Lothian until being given to the nation in 1937 by the 11th Marquess, Phillip Kerr, to be used as a College of Education. The house was given complete with many fittings and artworks and even now retains a sense of unity because it is able to display these in their original setting.

Conference and meeting facilities

Drawing Room The stunning Drawing Room was designed by the noted Edinburgh architect Thomas Bonnar and completed in the 1870’s. Restoration of the Drawing Room was completed in January 2007 and the room is used for meetings and conferences. The Drawing Room can accommodate a maximum of 120 delegates for a conference.  Surrounded by gardens, the rooms offer a conducive and peaceful atmosphere for meetings and conferences. The college has 4 conference rooms, which can accommodate 2 to 35 delegates.

Grounds

Newbattle Abbey boasts stunning grounds including the Italian Garden which dates from 1834. The grounds are regularly attended in order to maintain their original form.