Pluscarden Abbey

We are a community of Catholic Benedictine monks living in the only medieval British monastery still being used for its original purpose.

Situated in north-east Scotland, six miles south-west of Elgin in Moray, the monastery enjoys the peace and stillness of a secluded glen, but is easily reached by road from the town. The atmosphere of quiet reflection and of work dedicated to the glory of God is the same now as it was in the thirteenth century, when a community of monks first came to this part of Moray.

If you visit the Abbey today, you can enjoy not only the beauty of its architecture and its setting but also something of the restful atmosphere of devotion that has so deeply permeated this little corner of Scotland. The Mass and full Divine Office are sung by the monks each day in the Abbey church, using Gregorian Chant.

Guests are received in the two guest houses: men and women of all faiths are welcome to make a retreat here and to share in the prayer and work of the community, or simply rest and renew their focus on what is most important.

“PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE”

will be performed at Pluscarden Abbey

on Saturday 20th September 6pm – 8.30pm

“Petite Messe Solennelle” translates as “Little Solemn Mass” in French. However, the title is ironic as the work is “neither small or particularly solemn” as Napoleon the Third remarked; it’s a large-scale, joyful and somewhat whimsical musical composition by Gioachino Rossini. Rossini himself acknowledged the irony, calling it a “poor little mass” and jokingly referred to it as “the last of my mortal sins of old age”, a humorous nod to his return to sacred music after a long career in opera. Indeed, in the score he included a plea to God, “Dear God, here it is finished…I was born for comic opera, as you well know! Be merciful then and admit me to paradise”.

It was composed by Rossini in 1863, thirty four years after writing his last opera, in Passy, in Paris, where he spent the last decade of his life. It was first performed on the 14th of March 1864.

The mass was probably commissioned by Count Alexis Pillet-Will for his wife Louise, to whom it is dedicated.

The concert will be performed by the Forres Chorale, the Buckie Choral Union, members of the Lantern singers and Holy Trinity Choir (Elgin), and other individual artists.

Conducted by Brian Smith, who also conducted last year’s huge success with Haydn’s “Creation”, the soloists this year are:

Kathryn Arnould - Soprano
, Barbara Scott   - Contralto, 
Iain Milne - Tenor
, Andrew McIntosh - Bass

TICKETS

Tickets, at £20, will go on sale at 10am on Monday 25th August and can be obtained from david@pluscardenabbey.org

Monastic Experience Weekend

Experience life as a monk

The Pluscarden Abbey Monastic Experience Weekend is a long-established event which normally takes place every August. 

The community of Benedictine monks at Pluscarden offer this special opportunity for participants to experience what monastic life is all about. The opportunity is suitable for single men who are Catholic, practise their faith, are aged 18-40, and at least open to the possibility of considering a monastic vocation.

Participants will join the monks in their daily prayer and work, and will be offered a close-up insight into some of the treasures of the monastic tradition. The weekend should be interesting, enjoyable, and grace-filled. It may also be of assistance in the process of discerning one's vocation in life. There will be no charge for the weekend.

2025 dates: 

 2025 Dates: Friday 22nd — Monday 25th August

For poster and leaflet downloads or to apply, please visit our Monastic Experience Page here.

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