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.

Monastic Experience Weekend Pluscarden Abbey

21 - 24 August 2026

The monks of Pluscarden Abbey are offering a special opportunity to experience at first-hand what monastic life is about, during the weekend of Friday 21st to Monday 24th August 2026.

There will be no charge for the weekend.

The invitation is extended to single men, aged 18 to 40, Catholics who practise their faith, and are at least open to the possibility of a monastic vocation.

Anyone interested is invited to contact:

Fr Benedict Hardy OSB

novicemaster@pluscardenabbey.org

Pluscarden Abbey

Elgin

Moray

IV30 8UA

www.pluscardenabbey.org

For more information or to download leaflets and Posters, please go to this link: Monastic Experience Weekend

Latest news
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Pentecost Lectures: 26 - 28 May 2026

Our annual Pentecost lectures began in 1994 at the initiative of Abbot Hugh. They have continued ever since, in the same format, on the Tuesday to Thursday after Pentecost, with the exception of one year when they had to be cancelled because of the covid lock-down.

Fr. Prior Simon’s Homily for the Ascension of the Lord, Year A Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20

Early on the first day of the week, the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee all the way to Jerusalem, went to the tomb, “but they did not find the body of the Lord”. And “while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel” and said to them: “why do you seek the living among the dead?

Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Sunday 10 May 2026, Easter 6A: John 14:15-21

With today’s Gospel we continue reading John Chapter 14, which we started last Sunday. We are preparing just now for the Ascension and Pentecost, so it’s very appropriate for us to hear Jesus speak at the Last Supper of his imminent departure, and of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Homily for Sunday 3 May 2026, Paschaltide 5A: John 14:1-12

Someone recently asked: “How can I get to know Jesus?” I said: “Read the Gospel of St. John, and especially the final discourse of Jesus, given at the Last Supper.”

Over these 5 Chapters, we hear Jesus revealing the secrets of his heart. He speaks of his relationship with his Father; of the meaning of his mission; of the greatness of the Christian vocation; of the activity of the Holy Spirit; of the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

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Nave Foundations Exposed

Visitors who know the Abbey will at once be struck by the newly exposed mediaeval foundations on the North side of our Nave.
Previously these were all but buried under rubble, and bushes, and grass.

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Chickens Return to Pluscarden

There were chickens at Pluscarden in the early days, together with geese and pigs, not to mention bees. But for over 50 years now, the Pluscarden Community has been chicken-less.

Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Easter Day, 5 April 2026

We speak of the “Paschal Mystery”: that is, the mystery of Christ’s saving death and resurrection; his passing over from death to life; his passage from defeat to victory; from humiliation to glory; from this world to the Father.

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Holy Week and Easter at Pluscarden

The ceremonies for Holy Week at Pluscarden were enhanced this year by the presence of 5 youthful seminarians from the Pontifical North Amerian College in Rome. They were here on retreat, but happily offered their services for whatever liturgical serving was required.

Homily given at the Good Friday Liturgy, Pluscarden Abbey, 3 April 2026: DMS

The Passion Gospel, which we have just heard, is a very sober account, with little appeal to our emotions. Our culture tends to make much of emotions: how we feel about things. The story of the Passion is like someone in shock saying what happened.

Prior’s Homily of the Pluscarden Easter Vigil 2026

Genesis 1:1-2:2 and 22:1-18   Exodus 14:15-15:1   Isaiah 54:5-14 and 55:1-11   Baruch 3:9-15.32-4:4   Ezekiel 36:16-28   Romans 6:3-11   Matthew 28:1-10

“On the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.”

Fr. Prior’s Homily at the Maundy Thursday Liturgy 2 April 2026

Exodus 12:1-8.11-14   1 Corinthians 11:23-26   John 13:1-15

The Eucharist is the truth about love. There exists in our society a wide-spread agreement that love is the most important, or at least one of the most important things in life.

Fr. Prior’s Homily for Palm Sunday, 29 March 2026

Matthew 21:1-11   Isaiah 50:4-7   Phillipians 2:6-11   Matthew 26:14-27:66

“And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying: ‘Who is this?’” Literally, the whole city quaked. Our Lord's entry into “his own city” caused a disturbance of seismic proportions.

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