Beauly Priory

"Beautiful Place" Scotland

As one approaches the Priory through the cemetery one cannot but pause and survey the peaceful beauty of the site. Beauly is a beautiful village which is just a 20-minute drive from the Highland capital of Inverness.

One of three priories founded in Scotland, Beauly Priory, around the year 1230 was a priory for monks of the Valliscaulian order. The Valliscaulians came from Val-des-Choux (‘Valley of the Cabbages’) near Dijon in France and adhered to strict ideals of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

For those wondering about the difference between a Priory from a church. A priory is a monastery of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or nuns.

Kenneth Mackenzie, 7th of Kintail who died in 1492 is buried at Beauly Priory and according to The Scots Peerage which was published in 1910, his tomb is still extant. John Mackenzie, 9th of Kintail who died in 1561 is buried in the Mackenzie's aisle at Beauly.

It amazes me the workmanship that went into laying the stones that after centuries still remain standing. To me, it is beauty and craftsmanship that can be enjoyed even it if weren’t such a peaceful place of rest and find peace as well as history.

Beauly is a lovely town and the people were very friendly. On our walk around town, we had the delight of meeting a one-hundred-year-old service veteran with a spry step and warm smile who regaled us with stories of having seen many of the United States during his years in his military service. Though disappointed that the ice cream was sold out I still enjoyed the Priory and the chat with the young retired military man.

As one might suspect the grounds in the priory are uneven if one goes off the walkway. stones are uneven and one must take care. However, canes, walkers, or wheelchairs can assess the priory.

LINKS:

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/beauly-priory/