Benedictine Monks - Retreat - Pluscarden Abbey
No. 2 of 3 quirky documentaries of the type only the BBC can (afford to) make following the daily routine and rituals of a dozen or so Benedictines rattling about in vast, draughty old abbeys originally built to accommodate hundreds of monks.
BBC Synopsis:
Pluscarden Abbey is a remote Benedictine monastery on the edge of the Scottish Highlands in Moray and is home to 21 monks. It is the oldest practising monastery in the United Kingdom, dating back to the medieval era. The monks live by the 6th-century Rule of St Benedict and life has changed little in hundreds of years.
Given its isolated and weather-beaten position, the abbey is almost entirely self-sufficient. The monks grow their own crops, make their own clothes and have little contact with the outside world. Unlike most Benedictine monks who wear a black habit, the monks at Pluscarden Abbey wear white, a symbol of their austerity and strict interpretation of monastic life.
We follow a typical day in the life at Pluscarden Abbey - from the moment one monk knocks on the doors of the brethren and chants in Latin to wake them up for the first service of the day at 4.15am right up to compline, the final service of the day before the monks retire to bed.
Brother Michael is Pluscarden Abbey's resident tailor and weaver. Creating garments is his passion and we watch as he makes a distinctive white habit for another monk - measuring and cutting the material, hand stitching the design on an old sewing machine and finally washing it and presenting it to another monk. He also weaves a striking purple and white stole, a vestment worn around the neck by priests when giving confession, on an antique braid loom housed in one of the abbey's workshops.
Father Benedict served in the British army before becoming a monk at the age of 25. He is Pluscarden Abbey's beekeeper and when he's not attending one of the nine services the monks conduct throughout the day, he can be found at one of the many beehives scattered around the monastery grounds. We follow him as he collects a frame filled with honey from one of the hives and then processes it in his 'honeyhouse' by melting it down and sieving it into jars ready to serve to the other monks at supper. 'Monotonous tasks like going through a beehive are entirely compatible with being in a state of constant prayer.' (Father Benedict)
Filmed with an eye to the beauty and peace of the ancient surroundings, the film has a painterly quality that creates a feeling of restfulness and quiet contemplation. And by focusing on the natural sounds of nature and the peace of the abbey we have created a meditative soundtrack that adds to this unique experience.
Pluscarden Abbey
Old Tour Scotland video of Pluscarden Abbey, near Elgin. A Scottish monastery of the Valliscaulian Order, founded in 1230 near Elgin, Scotland, by King Alexander II of Scotland. In 1454, the Benedictine rule was adopted there; in 1586, one monk survived. The confiscated property later came into the possession of John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute, who translated the breviary into English. Laterly, the monastery was elevated to the status of an abbey.
Tour Scotland
Scotland Tour Guide: Sandy Stevenson
Pluscarden Abbey
Pluscarden Abbey is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery located in the glen of the Black Burn about 10 kilometres south-west of Elgin, in Moray, Scotland. It has been for most of its history a priory and was founded in 1230 by Alexander II of Scotland for the Valliscaulian Order.
In 1454, following a merger with the priory of Urquhart, a cell of Dunfermline Abbey, Pluscarden Priory became a Benedictine House. The years immediately preceding the Scottish Reformation, and those after, saw the decline of the priory. By 1680 it was in a ruinous condition. Some work to arrest decay took place in the late 19th century. In 1948 the priory sprang into new life as a house of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines, and restoration began at the hands of monks from Prinknash in Gloucestershire. In 1966 the priory received its independence from the mother-house; it was elevated to abbatial status in 1974.
Source: Wikipedia
Credit photos: D.Martin©2016
Credit video: Scottish Community / Coimhearsneachd na h-Alba©2016
Music: Cantus Firmus Monk by Doug Maxell
Hymn Veni Creator by The Benedictine Nuns of St. Cecilia's Abbey
Knockando Woolmill - Pluscarden Abbey Cloth
We are currently producing cloth for Pluscarden Abbey.
Situated 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.
The cloth woven at the Woolmill will be made into habits for the Benedictine Monks of the Abbey.
The visitor to Pluscarden will perhaps be surprised to see the white habit instead of the more usual Benedictine black. The privilege of wearing white is inherited from the Prinknash community from which Pluscarden was founded in 1948, and who in turn received it from the original foundation on Caldey Island.
Greogorian chants in Pluscarden Abbey
Peacefull and relaxing.
A tranquil retreat which is fantastic to get a few minutes reflection.
it's fantastic to sit in a service and listen to the Gregorian chant.
Spectacular building with beautiful stained glass windows.The history is worth reading and the shop well worth visiting.
A pure jewel in the countryside in Scotland.
Situated 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.
The monks at Pluscarden pray together in Latin through Gregorian chant several times each day of the year, as a core part of their worship.
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.
Pluscarden Abbey | VLOG | Myra Murison
Hey guys, I wanted to show you one of my favourite places, Pluscarden Abbey. For me, it is one of a kind place and definitely worth a visit! I'm not a religious person but I do believe in God. I don't go to church very often, but when I do, this is the place I love to come to. The thing I love most about this place is very quiet and serene. You can always hear the birds singing which always makes me feel happy. The trees, the scenery, fresh air.. it just makes you feel great. I remember the first time my husband brought me here, it was a dejavu moment. It felt like I had been here before, especially on our way there. The view, the scenery was so familiar and it was a very strange feeling. I will never forget that.
Anyway, the first time I attended mass there, I was really surprised. The monks are chanting one of their Gregorian chants, in latin. You can hear it in the background of the video. I just love it when the monks are chanting during the mass, but at the same time I find them a little scary. Hehe.. By the way, the monks live here at the Abbey, and you often see them going about their daily tasks.
I hope you will enjoy this video. I know the religious side of it isn't for everyone, but it is so nice here and I just wanted to show and share this place with everyone! It just looks and feels so magical!
Tempus per annum - from the Monks of Pluscarden Abbey, the last medieval monastery in Britain
Music from Alleluia: Confitemini, track 4 from the album Tempus Per Annum: Gregorian Chant from the Monks of Pluscarden Abbey.
Timeless chant from the monks of Pluscarden Abbey - the last medieval monastery in Britain. The album includes a 32-page booklet with detailed notes written by the monks of Pluscarden about the interpretation, context and history of each track, together with the complete Latin texts and English translations for all the music on the disc. Download the PDF free at
Pluscarden Abbey is 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, the monastery enjoys the peace and stillness of a secluded glen. 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 Britain.
Inside Pluscardin Abbey near Elgin Scotland
Listen to the Benedictine Monks during the service
Elgin to Pluscarden - Motorbike Vlogging #14
A very windy day so apologies for the sound at times! - I'm still enjoying the motorbike vlogs as I continue to recover from surgery. So, just a short one today however, I'm hoping you'll enjoy the destination and tomorrow's tour of a working Abbey. This, I think I'm right in saying, houses the only working Monastery in the UK with active Benedictine Monks! thetribulationsoldier.com
Pluscarden Abbey Top # 5 Facts
Pluscarden Abbey Top # 5 Facts
Pluscarden
Left & Right on the Oaks Drive
PIC 0382 1991 September 27 Pluscarden Abbey Nadsady
Drive to Pluscaren Abbey near Elgin Scotland
Pluscarden Fly by
Beside Pluscarden Abbey, in Moray
pluscarden abbey surrounding wmv
A beautiful place to visit and reflect ,A place of peaceful tranquility .The Abbey comprises the visible features of Gods own land, including the physical elements of the shinning light as the sun shines bright over the Abbey,
As a Veteran I feel this music is fitting for what my video is portraying for its surroundings. If it is in breach of copyright please let me know and I will remove it.
The patch on my back is worn with pride and dignity.
Pluscarden Abbey, Scotland
I stayed at this Benedictine Abbey in April, 2019. St. Scholastica's guest house is available for women.
Elgin FREERIDE
Quick hour after work on the down hill bike
Duke of Gordon Statue, Elgin Scotland & remains of Elgin Castle
In Elgin Scotland.
Duke of Gordon statue & remains of Castle
Scotland 2.wmv
Driving from Pluscarden Abbey to Stromness via Inverness to take the Ferry to Okney Islands
EuroVelo 1: Scotland
In Scotland I follow the EuroVelo 1 through the Lowlands and the Highlands. The bike path starts in the granite city of Aberdeen. From there I cycle on small country roads and former railway tracks to the Moray Firth. South of Inverness the cycle path climbs into the Highlands and follows the National Cycle Route number 7 to Glasgow. The Scottish leg of the EuroVelo 1 ends in Stranraer, where the ferry departs for Belfast.
00:50 Aberdeen
07:12 Elgin
11:50 Aviemore and Glenmore
13:47 Dalwhinnie Distillery
15:21 Blair Castle
17:40 Loch Tay
20:40 Dumbarton
23:00 Glasgow
25:40 Irvine
28:08 Glenluce Abbey
29:10 Stranraer