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.

Surely never before have we had so many days of warm or hot sunshine! Throughout the year, to date, 2025 has been marked by low or barely existent rainfall, and long long stretches of fine weather. This all seemed like the best possible news for bees, up to mid-Spring.
By Br. Thomas Cole OSB, chief gardener
Farewell to a glorious and incredibly warm summer, and welcome to the bounteous and beneficial harvest of autumn! The waning of the daylight and the contraction of plant life in the polytunnels can give a slightly mournful air to this season, yet one cannot but praise God for the glorious bounty of the garden this past year. Also, of course, for the consoling colour of the fruits and leaves all about us.
If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.
We have this saying of Our Lord in slightly different forms twice in the Gospel of St. Matthew, and also once in the Gospel of St. Mark. According to Matthew, our Lord twice says that faith will be able to move a mountain. We can tell a mountain to move from here to there, and it will move
Daniel 3:29-31; Amos 6:1-7; Luke 16:19-31
Omnia quae fecisti nobis Domine, in vero iudicio fecisti – All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done with righteous judgement…
As usual we entered Mass today with words from the Old Testament. The text for this week’s Introit Chant is taken from the Prophet Daniel, according to its Greek version, somewhat freely adapted.
The quarterly magazine which generally includes a letter from Fr Abbot, a diary of recent activity at the Abbey, book reviews and articles by monks, oblates or visitors.
From 25 September to 31 October this year it will host a selection of paintings by our Br. Daniel.
The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Today, on the Feast of the Holy Cross, with the whole Church, we turn our gaze towards Christ crucified, and towards the Cross on which he died.
On Monday 8th September, Feast of our Lady's Birthday and 77th anniversary of the resumption of monastic observance at Pluscarden, our postulant Philip Thomson was clothed as a novice.
In last week’s Gospel (Luke 13:22-30) we heard our Lord’s response to those who found themselves locked outside the kingdom of heaven: “I do not know where you come from, depart from me all you workers of iniquity” (Luke 13:27)
A most successful and well-attended Summer retreat took place at the Abbey from 2nd to 5th August this year 2025 (a month later than last to catch the higher temperatures!)
Sister Tamsin Geach OP gave the Retreat---three talks over two days bracketed by the arrivals day and departures day-- and Storm Floris!
This year's response to our Monastic Experience Weekend invitation was most encouraging. Those invited had to be single Catholic men, below the age of 40, practising their faith, and at least open to the idea of a possible monastic vocation. Over 30 young men applied: probably more than we have ever had before, for a single event of this sort.
I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!
In the plan of St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, travelling with determination towards his Passion, Death and Resurrection. The first incident in that journey recounted by St. Luke is an unhappy attempt to enter a Samaritan village. There James and John ask if they should call down fire from heaven to burn these people up (cf. Gn 19:24). But Jesus rebukes them (Lk 9:54).
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