A MONASTERY IN THE HIGHLANDS

FR BERNARD MCINULTY, OSB.

Theclosure of the Monastery of St Benedict at Fort Augustus in 1998 marked the end of the English Benedictine Congregation in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. Founded in 1876, the Benedictines had been in Fort Augustus for over 150 years. The buildings, originally a military fortress, were built between 1729 and 1742. It was named after William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, youngest son of George III, and remained in army occupation until 1854. The 14th Lord Lovat, Thomas Alexander, bought the buildings from the government in 1867 and in 1876 they were given to the English Benedictine Congregation by his son the 15th Lord Lovat.

This brief account of the Monastery is a simple record of the monks who lived, prayed, studied and worked there. Canonically Fort Augustus was a new foundation but the founder’s intention was to continue the line of two older Abbeys, one English and the other Scottish. The Abbey of Saints Adrian and Denys, at Lambspring in Hanover in Germany, had a community of English monks until its members were scattered by the French Revolution. The common life was revived later in England but did not continue and some of the survivors were able to join the house at Fort Augustus. The Abbey of St James of the Scots, at Ratisbon in Bavaria, founded by Irish monks in the eleventh century, became the house of Scottish Benedictines in exile at the time of the Protestant reformation. It remained a centre of missionary and educational work for Scottish Catholics until the mid -nineteenth century. The last Scottish monk of Ratisbon was affiliated to Fort Augustus, giving a connection with the long tradition of Scottish Benedictines.

During its long history the Abbey of Saint Benedict produced many gifted men, both monks and laymen, including three Bishops: Archbishop Andrew Joseph McDonald of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Archbishop Maurus Caruana of Malta and Bishop Bennet of Aberdeen. The monks included scholars, artists, craftsmen and writers while the school contributed to the national life of Scotland.

In an area of outstanding natural beauty, tucked in between mountains and forestry on the shores of Loch Ness, the Abbey was an ideal setting for the Benedictine Contemplative life. In its early history it was an important centre for the Catholic Church in Scotland and a seat of learning. It was heir to a great tradition of Christian and Scottish religious life and culture. The district can trace its Christianity right back to Saint Columba of Iona about 563. From the beginning the Benedictine community flourished and numbers in the monastery reached its peak in the early 1900’s. The Monks’ cemetery, overlooking Loch Ness, is testimony to the large number of monks who dedicated their lives to God in the Benedictine Monastic life over 150 years of its existence. This short history is their story, this brief account is a record of the men who lived, prayed, worked and gave glory to God in this place. St Benedict’s Abbey was the first post reformation Abbey in Scotland. Two other Abbeys were later founded, one at Pluscarden, refounded in 1946, and one at the Cistercian Abbey of Nunraw also in 1946.

Editor’s Note: The Ampleforth Sea Scouts used to go to Fort Augustus every three years for their Easter camp, sailing and mountaineering.

REVIEW BY FR AMBROSE HENLEY OSB OF