Unearthing the Roots: The Legacy of Beauly Priory

For centuries, Beauly Priory has stood as a silent witness to the history of the Frasers of Lovat. Acquired by our ancestors deep in the heart of Inverness-shire, these sacred grounds hold the stories of our early chiefs. In this month's deep dive, we explore newly digitized historical records from the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, shedding light on the architectural and cultural impact the Frasers had on this magnificent Highland sanctuary.

Beauly Priory is one of three priories founded in Scotland in about 1230 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.

Beauly, meaning ‘beautiful place’, must have seemed to the monks a wonderful location in which to devote themselves to worship.

Only the abbey church still stands today, housing some fine funerary monuments.