Torphichen Preceptory

In the town of Torphichen, Scotland, the medieval order of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem created the most important headquarters of the order, ahead of the one in London. In the year 1140 the Knights constructed the preceptory which was expanded in the 13th century to the one that currently exists, an ecclesiastical Latin cross plan. This was well accepted in Scotland and in fact soon supplanted the Templars, for among their duties was to look after the sick and in need. Such was the fame that the order exists today, and it is the same with the help of Historic Scotland, which is responsible for the maintenance of the monument.