Retreats with Pluscarden Abbey

Hospitality is a keynote of both Old and New Testaments from Abraham entertaining the three strangers to Martha, Mary and Lazarus entertaining Christ, who said "I was a stranger, and you welcomed me". Monks have always heeeded this word and made hospitality a special concern. St. Benedict devotes Chapter 53 of his Rule to the care of guests, and at Pluscarden we try to put this into effect as Benedictine disciples of Christ.

Women retreatants are accommodated in St. Scholastica's Retreat, a new, self-contained building with 12 comfortable bedrooms and modern facilities. Meals are on a self-catering basis: basic foodstuffs, bread, milk and eggs are provided, and there is a kitchen with the usual facilities for preparing meals, but special items should be brought along for the visit. Intending retreatants should address their enquiries or bookings to the Warden at the address below.

Men are accommodated in a newly-built wing of the Abbey consisting of 14 centrally-heated rooms, each with hot and cold water, wardrobe, table and bed. There are two rooms with complete en suite facilities, one of which is on the ground floor and especially adapted to the needs of the handicapped. For the other guests, there are separate toilet areas with showers and W.C.s.

There is a common room for all guests on the first floor and on the second floor, a pleasant room suitable for quiet reading or talks.

Guests share lunch and supper with the monks in the Refectory and have breakfast and tea in St. Benedict's, where there is a small but fully-equipped kitchen and other facilities for tea or coffee making.

General

Bedding and a towel are provided; those who bring sleeping bags will lighten the burden on the monastic laundry.

In order to participate fully in the balanced round of the monastic life of prayer, reading and work, guests may share in the manual work of the Abbey. All guests are expected to take their share of the routine chores.

Retreats at Pluscarden tend to be less organised and structured that in some other centres. That is because the monastic day provides all the framework needed with the 8 services of the Office and the daily Mass, which are open to all. Surrounded by forest, hills, moors and fertile fields, the beauty and peace of the countryside incite to prayer. There are books to read, cassettes to hear and spiritual counsel available from the Community. A more formal programme of retreat talks for groups may be organised by prior arrangement, or groups may bring their own leader(s).

Silence is observed in the Church, Refectory and other monastic areas; an effort should be made to keep silence in the individual rooms. Above all, patience and charity should be observed by all. A retreat at Pluscarden implies the elements both of silence and community life. Radios, tape-players, etc. should only be used with earphones

As is our custom, no charge is made to retreatants. If it is wished to make a donation, this will be gratefully received, but is entirely optional.

Unaccompanied young people under the age of 16 are not normally received.

Supervised groups accompanied by responsible adults - e.g. Parish Youth Groups and Retreats, Catechetical Camps or groups including families - are welcome. It will be necessary for groups to conform to the Church's current child protection and welfare norms.

Both St. Scholastica's and St. Benedict's are equipped with pay phones; it is often difficult to contact the monks by phone and it is best to direct bookings and enquiries to the address below by post, fax or e-mail. If contacting us by e-mail, please be sure to give a fax or telephone number or postal address.

As is our custom, no charge is made for use of the Retreat. If it is wished to make a donation, this will be gratefully received, but is entirely optional.

The Retreat is equipped with a pay phone; it is often difficult to contact the monks by phone and is best to direct bookings and enquiries to the address below.

Pluscarden Abbey

The Guestmaster
St. Benedict's or St. Scholastica's Retreat
Elgin, Morayshire
IV30 8UA
Scotland
United Kingdom
Fax: 01343 890258

Alternatively, you can complete our 'Retreat Enquiry' form online:

Women’s Retreats - Click here

Men’s Reteats - Click here