Torphichen Preceptory

📍 West Lothian, Scotland

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About

Torphichen Preceptory is a church in the village of Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland. It comprises the remains of the preceptory (headquarters) of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in Scotland. The placename may be Gaelic in origin, e.g., "Tóir Féichín" or Brythonic, e.g., modern Welsh "tref fechan". The name "Tóir Féichín" with its Gaelic reference to the Boundary/Sanctuary stones set one mile around the village is most likely the true meaning of the village and Preceptory name rather than the modern Welsh which has no historical precedent that overrides the true meaning of those Neolithic sanctuary stones.

Founded in the 12th century as the Scottish HQ of the Knights of St John. Remarkable stone vaulting in surviving transepts. The 'refuge stone' in the churchyard marked sanctuary boundaries.