Monkland Wall at Newbattle Abbey, Newbattle Road, Newbattle

Boundary wall built to surround Newbattle Abbey precincts. Remains of original medieval wall. Tall sandstone random rubble wall; rendered, consolidated and rebuilt in places. Northern part reaches 10-15 feet in height with rough stone coping; reworked areas further S with repaired or damaged coping. Low stone doorway leads to earlier church (now the site of Lothian Burial Ground) and later door positioned opposite present church with raised long and short surrounds.

Wall, possibly Monkland Wall, reworked and reduced in size continues in places S from South Port Lodge to NE of Riverside Cottages. Newbattle Abbey was a Cistercian Abbey founded in 1140 by David I as the daughter house of Melrose Abbey. The Monkland Wall probably dates from the earliest enclosure of the precints in the 12th century. The Monkland Wall as depicted on 2nd Edition OS Map runs S from South Port Lodge and NE of Riverside Cottages where there are some remains of a wall covered in vegetation, possibly the Monkland Wall. (Historic Scotland)

October 2008: Inspection reveals that large sections of the wall are uncapped and the rubblework is in need of repointing. A section of wall to the north of the Port Lodge has collapsed.

November 2008: Local planner reports that repair works were undertaken over ten years ago and the owners (Newbattle Abbey College) would like to repair but lack the necessary funds.

November 2011: Scottish Historic Buildings Trust's Autumn Newsletter report they have recently received tenders for the urgent
works required at Newbattle Abbey College which
includes boundary wall repairs, structural works to
the main building and roof works. SHBT hope to be
appointing the preferred contractor and commencing
works on site in the coming weeks. This shall be the first
phase of a larger repair and conservation project.

21 May 2012: Site visit finds sections of the wall have been repaired/ rebuilt with turf toppings applied. Repairs are ongoing opposite Newbattle House. The wall will not be comprehensively repaired. Moved to Restoration in Progress.

11 February 2022: External inspection confirms previously mentioned works appear to have been completed. Uncertain if further works are planned to be carried out.