Beauly Priory

Beauly Priory stands in the village of Beauly in the Scottish Highlands. Founded around 1230 by French monks, it began as a small Valliscaulian monastery. The name ‘Beauly’ comes from the French ‘beau lieu’, meaning ‘beautiful place’, given for its setting beside the River Beauly. The priory later became Cistercian in the 16th century after the order’s suppression. Its ruins remain extensive and are protected as a scheduled monument. The site is one of the main visitor attractions in Inverness-shire. The priory is worth visiting for its historical depth and literary connections. In 1818, John Keats and Charles Brown stopped here during a journey, writing a poem inspired by skulls in the ruins. Several notable figures from Highland history are buried here, including Hugh Fraser, 3rd Lord Lovat, killed in 1544. Members of the Mackenzie family, leaders of Kintail, were also laid to rest here across the 15th and 16th centuries. Walter Ross, mortally wounded at the Battle of Glen Affric in 1721, was buried here as well. Visitors find a quiet, reflective ruin with standing walls and gravestones. The remains include parts of the church and claustral buildings. The Mackenzie aisle holds several tombs of the Kintail chiefs. The priory’s setting, near the river and village, adds to its peaceful atmosphere. The ruins are open to view and evoke centuries of monastic and clan history.