Monks at the only inhabited medieval monastery in Britain still used for its original purpose have been preparing for one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar.
The 20 inhabitants of Pluscarden Abbey, which lies six miles south-west of Elgin, have been picking holly, rehearsing music and ceremonies, and making sure their candles are ready for burning on Christmas day.
Their daily routine of prayers and work around the abbey from 4.30am to 8.40pm will be relaxed on December 25, when the monks will enjoy a traditional Christmas meal together and bring in a television so they can sit down and watch a film.
A Christmas day dawn mass will be held in English at 8am, followed by a further mass sung in Latin at 11am.
Other events in the monk’s Christmas calendar will include a morning mass at 9am on Christmas Eve, the Feast of St Stephen on Boxing Day, the Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist on December 27, and the Feast of the Holy Family the day after that.
The monks have been living in the Catholic abbey since it was founded by King Alexander II of Scotland in the year 1230, and wear a white hooded habit instead of the more traditional black or brown.
Their unusual choice of white robes is not down to fashion sense, but instead can be traced back to a group of French monks clad in white habits who visited the abbey when it was first founded in the 13th century.
The monks welcome members of the public to some of their services, including those on Christmas day.
Anyone wishing to attend any of the services can call the abbey on 01343 890257.
