Nestled into a wooded valley SouthWest of Elgin seen glowing in the Winter sun on Tuesday.It is occupied by 27 monks who follow the strict austere style of worship of the monastic tradition. The monastery was estalished in 1230 and is linked to Elgin cathedral and Beauly abbey both of which are in ruins .Pluscarden did suffer attack by the Wolf of Badenoch in 1390 when he also burned Elgin cathedal from his base on Lochindorb. You can see photos of those places on my website www.scotaviaimages.co.uk By 1680 Pluscarden was in ruins and stayed that way until a rebuilding project in 1948. The abbey website at http://www.pluscardenabbey.org/ gives all sorts of details including internal views.