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.

Scottish Catholic Literature and the “Transfiguration of the Commonplace”

The 2024 Pluscarden Pentecost Lectures

given by Dr Linden Bicket, University of Edinburgh

Dr Linden Bicket

21st – 23rd May 2024 at Pluscarden Abbey, near Elgin

Tuesday 21st May at 3.00 pm 
Faithful Fictions: What is Catholic Literature?

Wednesday 22nd May at 10.30 am 
George and Ann Scott—Moncrieff

Wednesday 22nd May at 3.00 pm 
George Friel and Muriel Spark

Thursday 23rd May at 10.30 am 
George Mackay Brown

Save the day!

Pluscarden Abbey

Walking Football Tournament

Saturday June 22

Over 18s: men and women

(it is hoped to field at least 1 woman in each team)

Squads of 7 (team of 5 + 2 subs)

£50 per Squad (or £10 per player)

Registration on the day at 11 am

First match kicks off at 11.30 am

(Length of each game depends on number of entries)

Raffle and Stalls

Contact Frances Wardhaugh for entry forms:

pluscardenabbeywalkfootball@gmail.com


Latest news
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Building site: the First Floor walls near completion

Our admirably well organised and skilful builders continue to make steady progress with our new Lady's Guest House, to be called St. Joseph's.

Solemnity of St Joseph – Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary Homily 19th March 2024 - DJC
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Music Reviews for Season of Advent and Pax Aeterna with Tom Donald Piano

Some reviews have been received of our recently published music: "The Season of Advent" and "Pax Aeterna" with Tom Donald piano.

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Two New CDs

The Season of Advent - Gregorian Chant from the monks of Pluscarden Abbey and

The Benedictine Monks of Pluscarden Abbey - PAXATERNA - Tom Donald

Pluscarden Benedictines No. 205 - Spring 2024

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.

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Building Progress: Lintels and Blocks

After a long Christmas and New Year break, our builders were somewhat frustrated by quite a long spell of very low temperatures. In such conditions it's not possible to work with concrete or cement. Nevertheless, they used this time to install and then cover over many pipes and drains;…

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Carving in Stone and Wood

Our resident artist Philip Chatfield has been working hard on various sculptures to adorn the rising St. Joseph's Guest House.

Homily for the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B (2024)

Leviticus 13:1-2.44-46 First Corinthians 10:31-11:1 Mark 1:40-45

“If you want to, you can cure me” or “If you will, you can make me clean”? Today's Gospel passage is one of these instances where the translation provided by the lectionary fails us a little.

Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Sunday 5B, 4 February 2024: Mark 1:29-39

We are still near the beginning of St. Mark’s Gospel, in his first Chapter. So Mark is putting before us, as if for the first time, in his typically breathless sort of way, the person of Jesus. Mark wants us to feel for ourselves what it was like to be there, right at the beginning: to be an eye witness; to see the ministry of Jesus unfold.

Homily for Sunday 4B, 28 January 2024: Mark 1:21-28

Although all the other decorations are down, our Christmas crib is still up, until the 2nd of February. Through it we love to meditate on the ordinariness of Jesus: on his littleness, his dependence, his vulnerability, his likeness to us. Today though, in his first public miracle according to St. Mark, we see some hint of his divine power.

Pluscarden Benedictines No. 204 - Advent 2023

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.

Monastic Experience Weekend at Pluscarden Abbey

The monks of Pluscarden Abbey offer a special opportunity to see at first hand what monastic life is about, during the weekend Friday 16th to Monday 19th August 2024. 

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