Property Details: 8 THE ABBEY CHURCH - NO STAIRS
8 The Abbey Church: Luxury Holiday AccommodationThe main portion of the Abbey Church was built in 1978. Located to the side of the main atrium are two older chapels, St Andrew's and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. To the rear of this building is a beautiful glass extension housing some contemporary apartments with views directly overlooking Loch Ness. Self-catering holiday properties located in this building have direct access to the Spa and Swimming Pool facilities without transiting the Cloisters. The ground floor properties in the main part of the Abbey Church have terraces overlooking The Moat House building and lawns to the front of The Highland Club.
The Brother's Wing contains a number of contemporary self-catering apartments located within part of the original Bastion walls. During the early twentieth century it was used to house the brothers of the monks. Now restored, it offers luxury self catering accommodation around a pretty courtyard which leads out onto the Monastery gardens and down to the shores of Loch Ness.
The Chapter House building is attached to the Abbey Church and accessed from the Cloisters. The community of monks at St Benedicts would congregate with the Abbot in the Chapter House to 'hold chapter'; whereby they would read aloud from the rule book and Bible and discuss matters concerning the Monastery and its inhabitants. These meetings generally took place in the mornings after Mass; the monks would sit along the length of the wall in a strict order of seniority.
This architecturally ornate building has been converted into a spacious standalone self-catering holiday apartment that has the added benefit of a private garden. The Chapter House is located a short distance from the Spa and Swimming Pool and in close proximity to The Highland Club Lounge. It is a first choice for larger groups and one of our larger apartments within The Highland Club.
These self-catering holiday cottages are new-build properties built in a traditional style and located on the site of the original cottages at The Abbey. These self-catering properties are spacious and well designed. Each property has a wood burning stove and a few of these holiday cottages accept pets. Located in pretty grounds over looking the River Tarff and adjacent to the Abbey Church, these cottages have easy access to the Spa and swimming pool facilities. All the cottages have patio doors leading to a small terrace for those who enjoy alfresco dining.
This stand-alone property has been converted into a three bed cottage from the original Cricket Pavilion on the site of Fort Augustus Abbey. With outstanding views over the cricket pitch and towards The Highland Club, this self-catering cottage provides a beautiful and unique property.
Originally used as a place for hospitality by the monks. Parts of this building date back to 1720 when the original fort was built. The arched passageway over the Moat is a later 19th century addition, which was originally the main entrance to the Fort Augustus Abbey.
In this building there are a number of self-catering holiday apartments. The entrance to the Moat House is now the Concierge, where self-catering holiday guests are met on arrival and taken to their holiday accommodation. It has views towards to the Caledonian Canal, Cricket Pitch and Cloisters.
The Monastery is the largest building containing a number of self-catering holiday apartments; most of these properties have views down the length of Loch Ness. Originally, this building contained the monk's refectory, library and the calefactory (a warmed room used in a similar way to a sitting room for the monks). The first and second floors contained the simply furnished monks' bedrooms; part of the second floor housed the bathrooms for the Monks and access to the Brother's Wing and Abbot's Chapel.
Occupying a strategic position at the head of Loch Ness, the Monastery building offers stunning views and superb luxury self-catering holiday accommodation. Much of the holiday accommodation in this building has a wealth of original features. There is direct access to the Spa and swimming pool, Highland Club Lounge, Cloister Gardens and of course the Loch itself.
The Old School, with its beautifully restored clock tower, originally housed many of the classrooms and two large dormitories on the top floor. The front aspect of this building overlooks the tennis courts, the Old School lawns and the Caledonian Canal. All of the properties in this building have been sympathetically restored and contain many of the original features of the Abbey. The imposing front entrance below the clock tower has been restored to its former glory offering access to all the properties via the sweeping double staircase, the Abbey Cloisters and Cloister Gardens to the rear.
This building was constructed in the 1950's for the provision of extra classrooms during the post-war expansion of the school. On the ground floor there was a large reception area, two class rooms and a school hall with stage. On the first floor towards the front of the Raven Wing were the Science labs. The second floor comprised the large school library. Now renovated this later addition is more contemporary in design with smart self-catering holiday apartments with access directly to the cricket pitch or cloisters depending on aspect.
The scriptorium was used as 'a place for writing', devoted to the copying of manuscripts for the library by the monastic scribes at the former Fort Augustus Abbey.
Scriptorium 2, self-catering holiday rental has an abundance of beautiful architectural features with the original stained glass windows and unusual ornate domed ceilings. This property also has the benefit of a private garden and direct access to the Highland Club Spa and Swimming Pool and nearby to the Highland Club Lounge.
The BBQ area is for the sole use of guests at The Highland Club, and is located in front of the Brother's Wing building on the Monastery Lawn. The BBQ's are of a stone built charcoal variety with wooden seating and tables.
All you need to provide is the charcoal and your choice of food and accompaniment. There are even patio heaters provided for those chillier Scottish evenings, so why not try some of our locally caught fresh salmon or Angus Beef on the shores of Loch Ness while taking in a view to die for; the perfect way to enjoy a self catering holiday in Scotland.
For the more active guests who wish to bring their own bikes, we provide bicycle racks for the sole use of our guests. These are located along the Old Bastion wall opposite the tennis court. Bicycles are left at your own risk and you will require a bike lock to secure your bicycle; these are not provided so please bring this with you when you come on holiday if planning to go cycling.
The Highland Club provides an ideal location from which one can explore the Great Glen, Caledonian Canal and of course the many great cycle rides that start from Fort Augustus and around Loch Ness.
Within the private grounds of The Highland Club on Loch Ness is the former Fort Augustus Abbey Boat House; this has now been renovated into a unique restaurant 'The Loch Ness Boathouse Restaurant'. With majestic views over Loch Ness it has an unrivalled setting.
The ethos of this restaurant is to provide reasonably priced quality products, sourced wherever possible from local suppliers. The varied menu offers a variety of local classics and Mediterranean specialties. All meals are freshly prepared to order. Open throughout the day for both lunch and evening meals, it is advisable to book in advance during the summer season and at weekends.
To make a reservation and for directions please call
Tel: 01320 366682
Web : www.lochnessboathouse
Email : The Boat House Restaurant
Giant Chess is situated in the Cloister Garden; this is wonderful way to spend family time during your holiday at The Highland Club whilst sampling the atmosphere and architectural beauty of these wonderful surroundings. Many of the self-catering holiday properties have views of the Cloister Garden.
The Cloister is a rectangular open space surrounded by a covered walkway running along the inner walls of Fort Augustus Abbey. The Cloisters form a quadrangle linking all of the peripheral buildings together and allow movement between them without having to face the elements. As this was one of the most northerly of European monasteries, it was decided to glaze the cloisters - a most unusual feature.
Centrally within the quadrangle is the Cloister Gardens. The Cloisters and Cloister Garden of the Fort Augustus Abbey was originally a barrack square, which now lies underneath the grassed central courtyard. The monks later used this area for many ceremonial events.
Most of the properties within The Highland Club are linked by the Abbey Cloisters. This enables guests to move comfortably between the different areas and facilities via the heated walkway. The Cloister allows access to the Cloister Garden where you can enjoy a family game of Giant Chess.
This large oak-panelled room with majestic stained glass windows is where the Monk's would gather for communal meals. This provided one of the times of the day when all the monks within Fort Augustus Abbey would gather together. Their diet consisted of simple Scottish Fayre; the vegetables served were grown in the Monk's garden, located adjacent to The Court Yard Cottages in the grounds of Fort Augustus Abbey.
Today this room is for the exclusive use of guests staying at The Highland Club. Beautifully restored to its former glory, the lounge provides a comfortable setting for guests to meet in comfortable, relaxed surroundings. The Highland Club Lounge provides an ideal venue in which groups can enjoy a game of snooker or simply catch up on some reading. Highland Club Direct guests can also make use of the free WIFI available throughout the Highland Club Lounge if their apartment or cottage does not have WIFI access.
Located in the entrance to the Moat House. On arrival you will be directed to the Concierge where our property manager will meet you and escort you to your self-catering holiday accommodation.
The following equipment can be loaned from the concierge at no extra charge:
This cricket pitch is located outside the front of The Highland Club with views towards the village of Fort Augustus. During the summer months there are occasional cricket matches, where guests can enjoy a match between local teams.
Located on The Monastery Lawn in front of the Monastery building with outstanding views of Loch Ness. This is one of the many facilities provided for Highland Club guests. Croquet equipment is located in the entrance to the Monastery building and is available free of charge to guests booking through Highland Club DIrect.
An outdoor table-tennis table is also available in the vicinity of the Monastery lawn with equipment available from The Highland Club.
This is a large flat expanse of lawn with the beautiful back-drop of the mountains surrounding Loch Ness. Located in front of The Old School building, it is an ideal place for families to have fun and play ball games or mess around with a Frisbee.
With both children and adults in mind, a badminton net and football goals have been provided and is adjacent to the Adventure Play Area and Tennis Court.
Equipment for these facilities is provided by the Concierge - please call in advance to request equipment see the Concierge link for more details.
The orchard and cottage gardens originally supplied a fresh fruit and vegetables for the Fort Augustus Abbey monks.
Today this forms part of the wonderful grounds in which to wander while you are on holiday at The Highland Club.
When you return to The Highland Club after a day sight seeing around Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands our woodland adventure play area is the perfect place for children to burn off that extra energy in The Highland Club grounds. This is located next to the tennis court.
The Chapel swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym are located in the Abbey Church.
Our leisure facilities offer the perfect way to unwind after a day exploring the Scottish Highlands, Islands and local area around Fort Augustus.
The Highland Club Tennis courts are for sole use of guests on a first come-first served basis. This facility and equipment rental is free to guests that book with Highland Club Direct and equipment can be collected from the concierge.
In the summer months it is advisable to call the concierge to reserve equipment in advance or you can of course bring your own tennis racquets and balls.
Children are welcome to use this facility, but remain the responsibility of their parents/guardians and guests are politely requested to be considerate to other guests in using this facility.