The largest and most important of Scottish abbeys is to be found near the greatest manufacturing centre of the country. Of Paisley Abbey, a house of great historical interest and very large and beautiful in its proportions, the only remains now standing are the nave and transept of the church and the adjoining Lady chapel. The transept is an interesting ruin, but the nave is entire and is still used as the church of the abbey parish, after having been restored at great price. The interior is of magnificent altitude, exhibiting three tiers of arches, partly pointed and partly semicircular, with cinque foiled arches formed within them. Many quaint images and inscriptions are to be seen on its walls, one of which, relating to George Schaw, the abbot, who in 1485 built a large wall to enclose the buildings and the land belonging to them-- “Then call it ye Abbot Georg of Schawe, Ablone yio abbaye qart mak yis way, A thousand four hundred yheyr Auchty and fyve the date but veir (Pray for his salvation) That made yis noble foundacion.” The line in brackets is not quite intelligible but it is supposed to be “Pray for his salvation.” The great western door, which is pointed and deeply recessed, with rich mouldings, is surmounted by three windows with superb tracery. The Lady chapel to the south is interesting on account of its echoes, which, owing to recent alterations, are not so pronounced as formerly. In this part of the chapel, generally called the sounding aisle, is the tomb of Margory Bruce, wife of Robert Bruce, and mother of the founder of the abbey. The cloisters, 68 feet square, were also on the south side of the abbey, but the domestic buildings have almost disappeared. The abbey, founded by Walter, the first of the Stuarts, in 1164, was tenanted by a colony of Cluniac monks from Shropshire. At that time the area of the abbey grounds was about one mile, the space unoccupied by the church and other buildings being used as orchard and park land. DUNFERMLINE (_Mitred Benedictine_) 1072, Founded by Malcolm Canmore on site of a former Culdee monastery--1124, Remodelled as a Benedictine house and monks of that order placed there by David I.--1250, The choir, central tower, transept and Lady chapel added to the nave--Restored in the 14th century after partial destruction by Edward I.--1560, Plundered by Presbyterian mob; the nave only escapes destruction--1818-21, Present church built.