Fort Augustus Abbey is - without doubt - one of the finest old buildings in the north of Scotland with a fascinating history...turbulent at times...starting out as a military garrison and -ironically perhaps- later converted into a place of peace by St Benedictine monks. Recently redeveloped, the abbey now provides a most exclusive holiday home in Scotland.
Surrounded on three sides by water, Fort Augustus Abbey is set on the southern end of Loch Ness in twenty acres of beautiful mature garden grounds which extend right down to the shoreline of Loch Ness, home of the 'Water Horse' we call Nessie. The Caledonian Canal forms the western boundary and the river Tarff forms the eastern boundary. Loch Ness, is just 20 minutes drive from the city of Inverness.
THE HIGHLAND CLUB includes an indoor swimming pool in the ancient chapel, spa facilities (with sauna & steam room), and a gym, a tennis court and cricket pitch, a club lounge with full sized snooker table with the 'Boathouse' restaurant onsite in the grounds and so much more to explore...allavailable for the exclusive use of Highland Club residents and visitors.
The lovely, picturesque village of Fort Augustus is only a couple of hundred yards from the abbey.
...when arriving at The Highland Club, the former St. Benedict's Abbey at the shores of Loch Ness...you enter your holiday retreat at the Moat House through its marvelous entrance ...peacefulness starts whilst you follow the cloisters with view into the Cloister Gardens to enter directly into...
The SCRIPTORIUM -the secret 'place for writing' of a monastery
with its two apartments - The Scriptorium Retreat & The Scriptorium Garden
... which forms the very special framework of a unique & detached one-bedroom-apartment on 2 floors with the original high vaulted ceilings, gothic archways & mighty stone pillars and beautiful stained-glass windows!
The Scriptorium-Apartments you will enter from the hall of the scriptorium-building with its marvelous ancient tiled floor ...the vestibule under a vaulted ceiling leads you into
- the bathroom with bath tub & shower over and heated towel rail
- the lounge with dining area and integrated kitchen including gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher, washing machine/dryer, fridge with icebox, microwave...it benefits of tall windows right into the ceiling giving plenty light & lovely views either west towards te church and along the avenue of trees from the abbey entrance OR east into your own secret garden & the chapter house
- the staircase and from there to the bedroom with king-size double bed -suiting easily an abbot- under the original high ceiling, a sky light to watch stars & clouds from your bed and the special atmosphere created by stained-glass windows with symbols of the past home of monks...
Adding to the special feeling of the apartments are the hectagonal shape of the building towards the west/east, vaulted ceilings & archways, comfy tub-chairs & sofa, some ancient chapel chairs & the matching table telling plenty stories of the past ... many more for you to explore by yourself ... and to feel at home!
Enjoy each and every minute at one of the unique SCRIPTORIUM apartments & relax at this most romantic place.
Directions
Perfectly positioned at close to the main road between Inverness and Fort William; ideal to explore east and west of Scotland's coastline and the most spectacular parts of The Highlands.
Highly recommended is a car, also airport and railway station are in Inverness and there is a regular bus service from Invenerss and from Fort William.