1876

In 1876, Simon Fraser, the 13th Lord Lovat offered the land to the Benedictine Fathers who were hopeful in establishing a monastery in Scotland. That September, the transformation of the building commenced. A considerable proportion of the old walls from the original fort, which were of great strength and thickness, were retained as foundations of the Abbey.

1882

In 1882, the monastery was raised to the dignity of an abbey, thereby giving the name St. Benedict’s Abbey, better known as Fort Augustus Abbey. The Abbey also contained a printing press, publishing and printing books as The Abbey Press.

1914

Though the abbey was started, its work was discontinued due to a lack of funds resulting in an impermanent abbey structure. The work was resumed in 1914 after an appeal raised new funds for an abbey.

1919

In 1919, St. Benedict’s College was closed so that The Abbey School could open.

1993

Although many students passed through, in 1993 St Benedict’s Abbey and The Abbey School was closed.

1998

Though the monks opened up a small museum in the cloisters, this did not produce enough revenue to sustain the grounds. As a result, the final monks left in 1998.

2003 - 2012

In 2003, The Santon Group bought Fort Augustus Abbey. The Abbey Church conversion into The Highland Club was finished in 2012, turning an old castle, a military fort and a monastery and abbey into state of the art, self-catered apartments on the shore of Loch Ness.

Now

Now named ‘The Highland Club’, the Abbey is a unique residential opportunity consisting of 97 apartments and 12 cottages for a fantastic holiday or a beautiful home on the shores of iconic Loch Ness.