Restenneth Priory is one of the earliest religious buildings surviving in Scotland. It now stands clearly above the Restenneth Moss. This area, now marshland was once Restenneth Loch until it was drained in the 19th century by landowner and MP George Dempster.
The oldest part of the priory, the tower was probably built in the early 11th century. It has been suggested however that the Pictish King Nectan began building here in AD 710
Scottish kings were prominent visitors - Prince John, the infant son of Robert de Bruce is buried here. The Church was created an Augustinian Priory around 1160 as a daughter house of Jedburgh Abbey. It continued in this role until the early 1500s. The Priory also had a secondary role as a parish kirk until 1591. The arched recess where the officiating clergy sat and the basin where the priest rinsed out his chalice after Mass can still be seen.
The fields to the west of the Priory are the presumed site of the Battle of Restenneth - fought between the Picts and Scots around 831AD in which the Pictish King Feredith was killed.
To find the final co-ordinates you need to visit the Priory. As you pass through the gate looking to the priory look to your right and you will see a "wallie" - a domestic well. Please note that there is no Access to the Priory after dusk.
All answers can be found within the Choir.
A How many large notices are there?
B Dame Katherine Dempster Metcalfe was born on the 1 B of December?
C How many flat stones are there on the grass?
D & E Dame Katherine Dempster Metcalfe died in which year? 1D1E
F How many COMPLETE arched windows are there?
The cache can be found at N56 39.ABC W002 50.DEF
Cache container is a small box containing a stamp and pad, logbook and pencils.
