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Planning the Ride: A Change of Course

In the pilot episode of PedalQuest, we embarked on a real-time journey to document our adventure at Crawford Priory. Our meticulous planning and excitement led us to envision a smooth route to our destination. However, as is often the case with adventure, our plans took an unexpected turn. Technical troubles and unforeseen obstacles altered our course, prompting us to adapt and persevere.

The Unfolding Journey: From Setback to Serendipity

Initially, we intended to start our ride at the St. Andrews train station, but technical difficulties with our equipment prompted a change of plans. The preloaded map on Komoot failed us, (Yannic couldn’t get his Wahoo to work) and we found ourselves constrained to state roads, which proved less pleasant than anticipated. Despite the challenges, we remained undeterred, navigating through flat, fast roads while keeping a watchful eye on the changing terrain.

After encountering a series of unexpected hurdles, including gravel paths and steep inclines, we finally reached our destination. Our arrival at the majestic Crawford Priory marked the culmination of our unwavering determination and adaptability, transforming setbacks into opportunities for serendipitous discoveries.

The Legacy of Crawford Priory: Lady Mary’s Enigmatic Vision

As we stepped into the enigmatic world of Crawford Priory, we were captivated by the haunting beauty of the ruins. Allyson shared with us the captivating story of Lady Mary Lindsay Crawford:

Crawford Priory, just a few minutes ride from Cupar in Fife; now lies in splendid ruin, an attraction for dog walkers and adventure tourists alike. Even in its current state, one can see it once stood an opulence and splendour, an estate worthy of its eccentric lady.

The Lady Mary was deeply religious and was described as generous to the local poor and her servants, if not a bit reclusive. She was unconventional by 19th-century standards, remaining unmarried through her life and spending most of her time running several businesses.

Her home was another great project of hers, and she went to great lengths to build it to her vision. She hired Scottish architects David Hamilton and James Gillis B. Graham, who took Lady Mary’s vision and transformed the family hunting lodge into the Priory, adding elements reminiscent of a Gothic chapel flanked by castellated turrets, buttresses, and towers.

The interior was described as opulent, with elaborate Gothic pilaster interiors, spiralled staircases, marbled chimneys, and beautiful panel doors. The Priory passed through many hands after her death, and the Gothic mansion home was abandoned in the 1960s.

To visit the Priory today is to visit a ruin. No longer a candidate for restoration, its towers and staircases collapsed, and its interiors were taken over by the flora and fauna of the Scottish countryside. It is now lined with a barbed wire fence, and visitors to the priory are greeted with a staunch warning: it’s dangerous to enter, and doing so may cause death.

Although the Priory is certainly no longer fit for human habitation, it is said that it never stopped being the dwelling for a more spectral resident. Some visitors claim that Lady Mary still roams the estate with the spirits of her menagerie of animals, some wild and some pets, trailing closely behind their mistress.

Trees have sprouted in almost every room of the house, and lush creeping vines have climbed the crumbling mansion walls, adding a natural and ethereal beauty to the country home. The Priory may be a ruin now, but it still has a living soul.

Maybe, just maybe, Lady Mary feels at peace in this beauty and feels at home in the everlasting prior she created.

Yannics First Venture with the Drone

Flying the drone is a tricky order, with many restrictions in the Edinburgh area, but when Allyson found the priory and told Yannic about it, it got the excitement going. The priory is the perfect ground for testing the capabilities of the drone, and the skills of the pilot. Not daring to enter the ruin, it allows for fresh vantage points, and even photogrammetry of the site, so that it can be explored freely.

The weather gods were definitely on our side that day. The perfect afternoon sun was casting a golden light on everything, and there was not a breath of wind. Sure, the battery life keeps us on our toes, but hey, that’s what upgrades are for, right? The drone footage turned out incredible, and next time, we might just get a little closer for an even more epic view.

Check out the 3D model we made:

Conclusion: An Invitation to the PedalQuest

Our journey to Crawford Priory was a testament to the essence of PedalQuest—an exploration that transcends physical travel, delving into the rich tapestry of history and human ambition. As we navigate new terrain and unveil hidden narratives, we invite you to embrace the spirit of adventure with us on the PedalQuest. Stay tuned for more captivating expeditions, as we continue to blend our photographic heritage with a newfound passion for visual storytelling.