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.
Now safely returned from St. Mary's Petersham, and recovered from jet lag, Fr. Dunstan has been appointed Oblate Master in place of Fr. Martin.
We were delighted to have another visit in September 2026 of our good friend Dom Peter Eghwrudjakpor of Ewu Monastery in Edo State, Nigeria.
Many visitors to our web site will already know of the sad and highly regrettable decision of the religious Community on Papa Stronsay in Orkney to separate itself from the communion and obedience of the Catholic Church.
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.
Finally, in early September 2026, our very own Fr. Dunstan Robertson has returned to Pluscarden!
Once again Pluscarden Abbey hosted a Monastic Experience Weekend, from Friday 21st to Monday 24th August 2026.
Who do you say that I am?
Really none of the disciples at Caesarea Philippi needed advanced qualifications in rocket science to answer this question. For them, and for readers of St. Matthew’s Gospel, the answer must be stark staring obvious. That is, unless you believe with the Pharisees that Jesus is a blaspheming imposter, or else possibly a raving madman: in either case he would have to be acting with the power of all the demons of hell.
In response to the various Covid lockdowns, and the inability then of the faithful to come to Mass, Pluscarden Abbey began to make our liturgy available on the internet via live-streaming. This soon became established as a daily feature for Mass, Vespers and Compline.
A couple of months ago I spoke at Mass here about the Holy Eucharist, based on a book I’d recently read by an American scholar called Brant Petre. That book was called “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist”.
This year the Summer Oblate Residential Retreat was preached by the Very Reverend Ann Catherine Swailes OP, Prioress of the Dominican Convent in Cambridge.
Sr. Ann's title was ‘Learn to love and leave all other: some Medieval (-ish) musings on the Great Commandment’.
The Pluscarden bees have had quite a happy year so far, as we write at the end of July 2026. Reports of terrible heat waves, droughts and wild fires have reached our Northly Glen, but we have been lucky, enjoying periods with warm sunshine, never excessive, and also of welcome rain.
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