From Wednesday 15 July it has been legally possible for Churches in Scotland to re-open for public worship. But many restrictions continue to apply: most notably the requirement to maintain 2 metre "social distancing". Because of this, at present only a very limited number of people can be accommodated in the Abbey Church for any public service.

Therefore:

Until further notice, it will not be possible for anyone simply to turn up for a public service at Pluscarden without having made some prior arrangement.

For the time being:

The Sunday Conventual Mass at 10.00 will remain closed to the public.

The Sunday Mass said in English at 8.00 a.m. will be resumed, from Sunday 19 July. This Mass will be said in the Transepts, using a temporary Altar, and with widely spaced seating. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to contact the community in advance, preferably using the web form:
https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/contactform

It will be necessary to have received a positive response from the community before arriving for this Mass.

The normal weekday Mass sung in Latin at 9.00 a.m. will be open to the public, from Monday 20 July. But there will be space in the public Chapels at this Mass for only very few people. Anyone wishing to attend the weekday Masses will therefore need to know from the community beforehand that this will be possible.

All worshippers at Pluscarden Abbey are asked to observe the norms currently in place for all Catholic Churches throughout Scotland. That is:
Face coverings should be brought. Seating will be as assigned. Hand cleansing gel must be used by everyone on entrance and exit.
Special arrangements may need to be made for the distribution of Holy Communion.
The monks are able to sing safely as normal. People in the public Chapels at a sung Mass are however asked not to join in, even for brief sung responses.

While individuals need to maintain 2 metre distancing, household groups remain free to sit together.

It is very much hoped that all these arrangements will be both temporary and of short duration.

At present the Pluscarden Community is not able to make any announcement about dates or arrangements for re-opening our guest houses.