From 7-9 July 2026 Abbot Cuthbert of Farnborough came to Pluscarden for a fraternal visit: as invited by our Prior Fr. Simon. Abbot Cuthbert is the Abbot Visitor of our Province within the Subiaco-Cassinese Benedictine Congregation. This was a purely informal and friendly visit, occurring half way through the term of Administration of Fr. Simon. We presume an Abbatial election will be held around this time next year. So it was thought to be possibly helpful for Abbot Cuthbert to re-assure himself about the health and happiness of the community in the meantime, and to listen to any issues any of the brethren may wish to raise with him. This also gives our own brethren a chance to ask after other communities in our Province and Congregation, about which Abbot Cuthbert has more first-hand information.

The visit coincided with the return of warm sunshine after a wet spell, so it's not impossible that ice cream may have some part to play in our Visitor's reception and entertainment.