Discover the story of Fort Augustus Abbey | From Jacobite rebellion to Highland luxury | Explore 300 years of local heritage in Fort Augustus | Discover →

Our Heritage: From Fort to Abbey to Highland Club

A Historic Landmark in the Heart of the Highlands

Set on the tranquil southern shores of Loch Ness, The Highland Club in Fort Augustus is more than just a holiday destination—it's a living piece of Highland history. From military fort to Benedictine monastery, to boarding school and now a unique heritage holiday retreat, this site has evolved across centuries while preserving its architectural and cultural soul.

Whether you're staying for a weekend or a season, understanding the story behind these cloisters and courtyards brings deeper meaning to every step you take here.

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H2: Our Historic Timeline at a Glance

1720s: Military fortification built by General George Wade
1746: Targeted during the Jacobite rebellion
1876: Reimagined as Fort Augustus Abbey by Benedictine monks
1880–1993: Operated as a Catholic boys' boarding school
1998–2005: Ownership transferred and site redeveloped
2007–Today: Opened as The Highland Club – 109 heritage apartments

Fort Augustus & the Jacobite Uprisings

A Military Stronghold on the Great Glen

Fort Augustus occupies a strategic location on the Great Glen, a natural fault line connecting Inverness to Fort William. Recognising its military importance during the 18th-century Jacobite rebellions, General George Wade began building the original fort in 1729 to suppress Highland resistance and secure the area for the British crown.

Constructed with square-plan bastions and defended by earthworks, the fort overlooked the convergence of Loch Ness, the River Oich, and River Tarff, creating a natural moat-like protection system.

Jacobite Rebellions & the Fall of the Fort

During the 1745 uprising, the Jacobite forces led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart laid siege to Fort Augustus. Though initially spared, the fort was soon attacked and the garrison surrendered after the gunpowder stores were breached.

By the early 1800s, with Jacobite threats extinguished, the fort’s strategic value diminished, and it was fully disarmed. By 1818, the garrison had been withdrawn and the site left abandoned.

The Benedictine Abbey Era (1876–1993)

A Vision for Monastic Renewal

In 1876, the abandoned fort was sold to Thomas Alexander Fraser, 13th Lord Lovat, who gifted it to the Benedictine Order. With support from John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute, a driving force behind Catholic monastic revival in Scotland, the monks began building Fort Augustus Abbey on the site.

The Abbey complex was completed by 1880, forming a quadrangle of sandstone buildings in the Gothic Revival style. It included:

A monastery
Abbey Church (designed by Peter Paul Pugin)
Residential buildings
A private school for boys, which ran until 1993

The abbey became a religious and educational hub, attracting students from across the UK. For over a century, the Benedictine monks taught, worshipped, and maintained the buildings, leaving a lasting architectural and spiritual legacy.

Transition & Closure

Owing to changing educational patterns and declining enrolment, the school closed in 1993 under Abbot Mark Dilworth. The site was then briefly explored as a heritage centre and visitor attraction with the help of entrepreneur Tony Hamsworth and local enterprise funding.

However, the scale and costs required to maintain the buildings proved unviable for small business use.

From Abandonment to Adaptive Reuse

A New Chapter Begins

In 1998, the monks officially vacated the Abbey. Ownership reverted to the Lovat family, who then sold it to a consortium that included naturalist and TV presenter Terry Nutkins.

This group later sold the site to the Santon Group, a property developer who undertook the meticulous task of converting the Abbey into high-end residences. The result is what we now know as The Highland Club—a collection of 109 unique apartments carefully integrated within the original monastic architecture.

The Highland Club Today

Preserving the Past, Embracing the Present

At Highland Club Direct, we’re proud custodians of this remarkable legacy. Every stone and stained-glass window has a story, and our commitment is to honour the site’s rich heritage while offering modern comforts to our guests.

Our holiday apartments retain:

Original stone cloisters and vaulted ceilings
Church towers and courtyard gardens
Architectural features from the 18th-century fort and 19th-century abbey

While the fort’s bastions and military earthworks are mostly gone, part of the curtain wall still survives today—visible near the Lovat Hotel.

Why This History Matters

Staying at The Highland Club is not just about location—it's about connection.

You’re walking the halls where soldiers marched, monks taught, and pupils prayed.
You’re sleeping in rooms where centuries of Highland life unfolded, just metres from the shores of Loch Ness.
You’re part of a legacy that blends Scottish rebellion, monastic discipline, and modern restoration.

Explore the Site for Yourself

We recommend taking time during your stay to:

Walk the cloisters at dawn or dusk
Visit the Club Lounge, once part of the monks' common area
View the abbey church, now transformed but full of detail
Speak with long-time residents or staff, many of whom remember its time as a school

For those interested in more, the Old Boys’ Network maintains strong ties with the Abbey’s legacy and occasionally organises reunions and historic talks.

FAQs

What was Fort Augustus Abbey before it became holiday apartments?

It began as a military fort in the 1720s, became a Benedictine monastery in 1876, and then a boarding school before closing in 1993. It was later redeveloped into holiday apartments.

Can I visit the Abbey Church or historic areas as a guest?

Yes, guests staying at The Highland Club have access to many preserved spaces. Some areas are private residences, so access is limited, but much of the historic architecture is integrated into public spaces.

Are there any original features still visible?

Yes, including the cloisters, stone walls, towers, carved windows, and part of the original fort’s curtain wall.