Nunraw Abbey

We have just returned from a weekend at Nunraw Abbey, about 15mns from Edinburgh.

Sancta Maria Abbey belongs to the Cistercian Order.

They have a large Guest house which is about 15mns walk from the Guest House.

The Abbey was built in the 70's, but the Guest House is much older, dating back to about the 1500's.

The building was missed by Oliver Cromwell's army. The painted ceiling of the small chapel in the Guest House dates to 1603.

The monks make no charges for guests, but they do ask that you make a donation according to your own abilities to pay.

Cistercians do not eat meat, so it does not feature on the menu. Meals are simple, much less than we might normally eat. Last nighte tea at 5.15pm, was a vegetable soup with lots of rice in it , and bread and jam, tea and coffee. Those of us who had previously stayed here came with aditional supplies to help fill any hunger pans in the evening hours. This was our first visit, so we didn't know about that........

It is a very quiet area. The tiny village of Garvald is a few moments away. There are extensive grounds, quiet places to walk.

Guests are offered Mass in the house, but anyone is free to walk up to the monastery for any services. The first one is at 3.15am, and I am not aware of any of the guests being up for that!

One of the volunteers walks round the rooms at 7.45am ringing a loud bell. It reminds us that morning Mass is at 8.30am, followed by a simple breakfast at 9.00am. Porridge or cereal, a boiled egg, bread and marmalade, tea or coffee.

It is such a change from our usual hectic life out in the world. I found it a spiritually uplifting experience.

The monk's day begins at 3.am, and the rest of the day is punctuated with regular services. The monks also farm and grow vegetables. Bed time is around7.30pm, but they are up again at 3.am. By no means an easy life. The old priest who said Mass for us this morning has been in the Abbey since 1951.

In another blog I will relate why we were here for this weekend.

Photos show the chapel with painted roof, Doocoat, the old monk's cemetary, and the guest house