By Alison Campsie, 2nd July 2021
The full article can be found here.
Quote: “Restoration of the piece from Dundrennan Abbey in Dumfries and Galloway now clearly shows the figure of an abbot complete with a dagger on his chest. A second, smaller figure at the abbot’s feet is depicted with a gash wound and hanging entrails. Archaeologist Adrian Cox formerly of the cultural resources team at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “It seems possible that this memorial commemorates an abbot of Dundrennan who was wounded or assassinated. The small figure at his feet likely represents his assailant. The symbolism is rather poignant, the scene depicting the abbot as triumphant over his assailant in perpetuity.” Few records from monastic life at Dundrennan survive with the identity of the abbot unknown. The carving would originally have covered a tomb chest and is one of number to be recently conserved at the abbey, which sits in a valley around five miles from Kirkcudbright. “