Pluscarden Abbey
Pluscarden Abbey
4.5

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  • JKIR
    17 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Peaceful reflection
    Had a very relaxing walk in the grounds and around the Abbey. Enjoyed looking at the architecture. In the Chapel lit a candle and was very moved as it is nearly a year since I lost my father. A very comforting place to be.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 September 2023
  • Sebastian and Marissa
    Fort William, United Kingdom350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Simply Stunning
    Pluscarden Abbey is a majestic 13th century Benedictine Monastery. A place for great reflection and spending quality one to one with god. The surrounding architecture is beautiful, telling a visual story of religious practice over the past 800 years. The gardens and lands are well kept and allow plenty of opportunity to walk around and take in the environment. Visitors can explore the inside of the abbey, again a stunning environment shrouded in religious beauty. The abbey offers Mass to the public and the opportunity to watch the monks participate in Georgian chat is unmissable. I would rate this visit well above 5 stars and a must!!
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 3 August 2024
  • rayjaybossmama
    Matamata, New Zealand24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Favourite place to visit
    Pluscarden Abbey is one of my favourite places in the world. It is so peaceful and so beautiful. Mostly everything is run on an honesty policy-so make sure you have money with you and not just a card. The little gift shop is full of lovely treasures, again you leave payment in the honesty box/safe if it's not manned. We like to look out for the abbey cat-usually to be found relaxing somewhere funny like on the shop counter. Couldn't find them this time though :( There is a beautiful long winding driveway up to the abbey from the car park-you can park outside the abbey if you have elderly/disabled guests with you. A must-do on your visit to the highlands! Thank you to all who maintain this beautiful, special place.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 25 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles126 reviews
Excellent
89
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32
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Susan N
London96 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 • Friends
Beautiful historic medieval benedictine abbey.
Gorgeous setting and origin circa 12 century.
We definitely recommend a visit its breathtaking and peaceful location. All modern facilities and gift shop
Written 24 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carol O
Saint Charles, MO30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
This sweet functional abbey is such a delight! Brother Giles was our guide, and what a kind heart! The space is beautiful, and I'm so pleased that this place exists in the world. It's being reclaimed in bits and pieces. It was definitely a highlight of my trip.
Written 16 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JKIR
17 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Had a very relaxing walk in the grounds and around the Abbey. Enjoyed looking at the architecture. In the Chapel lit a candle and was very moved as it is nearly a year since I lost my father. A very comforting place to be.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chrisjalex
Leicester, United Kingdom20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2015 • Family
Beautiful building & stunning scenery. Gardens are lovely to wander about in and the Abbey itself is really interesting. There is a display in the first part of the Abbey you go into (communal chapel) which tells about its history & restoration. There are also books, leaflets etc available to buy.

Vespers at 5.30 is sung by the Monks and is a really peaceful, contemplative time. The bells are rung at around 5.10 to call everyone to prayer - you can watch the bell ringing in the communal chapel; everyone then moves into the private chapel, which is beautiful, for Vespers.

There is a little shop but it closes quite early - 4.30 (we missed it). There are toilets near the shop.
Written 7 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

motherboard r
Glasgow, UK24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Solo
I stayed at Plusgarden for 5 days. I attended many services despite not been a church-goer to be perectly honest. Regardless, this wonderful place just cannot be missed. Pay a visit - day visit - or reserve a room (all private when I was there) where you can be your own person - to read, write, think, rest.
One is expected to attend a service (so that the Abbey accommodation is not abused/used as a 'holiday hotel') and who wouldn't want to experience this? Listen to the monks chant at each service. It really is wonderful.
Give the Abbey a chance please even of you are not religious - be open-minded at very least when you visit. A great history there and told in photographs, illustrations … and there is a small shop. Every museum, place of interest has a shop, so Plusgarden has!
My favourite morning 'attraction' was the robotic lawn cutter who felt almost human - a friend of the local rabbit community who hopped across the lawn. The flora and fauna along the drive so beautiful. Gardens well maintained - please go!
Written 17 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Connor M
Glasgow, UK217 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
I've been here many times and I always enjoy my time here. My grandfather is buried here and it's just such a beautiful place with a lot of history and care towards it.
Written 28 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LaStorione
Leyburn, UK121 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018
As you would expect for a working abbey, Pluscarden is in a pretty isolated place so you need to drive down some long narrow lanes to get there. But it's worth it as it's a lovely, peaceful setting and the Abbey is a beautiful building. Inside you can only visit a small part because, like I say, it's a working abbey so a lot of it closed off to the public. But you can still see some lovely stained glass windows and read about the history. There's a little gift shop which is reasonably priced but when I was there I couldn't find anyone to pay so had to leave without buying anything. Be do leave a donation if you visit because there is ongoing work on new projects that need funding so every little helps and it's definitely a worthy cause
Written 31 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ann c
Buckie, UK15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2017 • Family
We visit here often as it has such an air of serentity. Little shop that sells books and souvenirs. Have a wander round the abbey and look at the old graveyard. if you are lucky you will hear the monks playing music inside, beautiful.
Written 7 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jess W
High Wycombe, UK8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Family
Went with my mum and two young daughters. Was very peaceful and beautiful, lovely place to go. Lovely to see the monks walking around,and learning there way of life. They also have a lovely shop. Selling small items. (Some of them made by the monks themselves) Definitely worth a visit if you can.
Written 7 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BonnieAileen
Elgin, UK11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Couples
There is a wonderful feeling of peace and tranquility around this place. You come away feeling better for having visited. It is a Benedictine Abbey which is still active.
Written 26 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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PLUSCARDEN ABBEY (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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