Page 13 - LOTN Issue 45

DIOCESE

The buildings, by October 2016, were found to be
derelict and dilapidated, requiring extensive and
expensive restoration work. Following many reviews and
considerations by the Diocese, the Chapel and the cottage
were sold by the Diocese in 2020 to Mr. and Mrs. Adrian
Walker who own the neighbouring Allargue Estate.
Mrs. Walker (Rosey) is the five times great granddaughter
of Sir Charles Forbes, 1st Baronet.
Restoration and refurbishment of the Chapel was carried
out during the early summer of 2020. The work was delayed
by the 2020 Lockdown and the associated non-availability
of tradesmen.
Several exceptional religious artefacts had been retrieved
and then restored. These include the fine looking rood panel
(Bavarian,1870s) which was restored by the wood sculptor
in Corgarff, Gavin Smith. The costs of the restoration were The Bavarian rood panel
met by the generous cash donations from members of the
Mary Marr from Stonehaven Banchory parish and the Walker and Hay Families.
sent the Light of the North this The Chapel, by late August 2020, was in a sufficiently suitable state in which Mass
photograph of the Chapel's could be celebrated, due to the considerable efforts of the Walker family and the local
stained glass window which tradesmen.
was donated by the Ross The first Mass for many years was celebrated on Sunday 23rd August, 2020 with Bishop
family in 2003. It hadn't Hugh Gilbert OSB as the celebrant.
been visible in recent years The Mass was attended by a modest congregation (due to the social distancing
as the garden had been very guidelines), which included many younger members of the extended Walker family.
overgrown. There are plans to hold further Masses in the Chapel, especially in the Christmas week.

"Season of ... mellow fruitfulness"

No, this is not an outsized Cox's Orange
Pippin but rather just a picture of a monk
changing into a pumpkin!

luscarden Abbey is famous for its apple juice, free of all preservatives and additives, it is made with apples
from the Abbey's extensive orchards, featuring over 120 varieties of apple trees, some very rare. Br. Michael
Pis the Abbey's pomologist, or apple expert, and here he is seen examining this year's crop. The tree he is
inspecting is of a variety called "Jupiter". It is now that the apples are being picked, each as it reaches optimum
ripeness, before being carefully blended, crushed and bottled for sale in the Abbey shop.

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