Beauly Priory is a ruined 13th-century priory church in the village of Beauly, 12 miles west of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. This guide covers opening hours, parking, access routes, accessibility and practical tips for planning your visit.
Its use as an Outlander filming location makes Beauly Priory a popular stop on Loch Ness tours from Inverness that also includes Culloden Battlefield.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open 24 hours daily, year-round. Grounds accessible at all times |
| Entry price | Free admission. Free parking |
| Address | A862, Beauly, Inverness-shire, IV4 7BW |
| Nearest town | Beauly village centre (adjacent), Inverness (12 miles east) |
| Time needed | 20–30 minutes to explore ruins and grounds |
| Distance from Inverness | Approximately 12 miles (20 minutes’ drive) |
Beauly Priory opening hours
The priory grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round. There are no gates, restricted access times or staffed facilities.
The ruins can be viewed at any time, though daylight hours are recommended for safety and to read informative signage. Winter daylight is limited in the Scottish Highlands (approximately 8am–4pm in December).
Beauly Priory ticket prices
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
Entry to Beauly Priory is free. There are no admission charges or booking requirements.
Parking is free in Beauly village centre, a short walk from the priory.
Why book the Loch Ness, whisky & Outlander day tour from Inverness?
- Explore legendary Loch Ness: Visit the world-famous freshwater loch, take in its dramatic scenery and search for signs of the elusive monster.
- See Urquhart Castle ruins: Wander the atmospheric remains of this historic fortress overlooking Loch Ness and learn about its turbulent past.
- Whisky distillery visit: Enjoy a stop at a traditional Highland distillery with a chance to sample fine Scotch and learn about whisky making.
- Outlander filming locations: Pass by or visit sites featured in the hit series, with commentary that brings the landscapes to life for fans.
- Guided full-day experience: Includes transport from Inverness and commentary from a knowledgeable guide, making for a stress-free and informative outing.
How to get to Beauly Priory
The priory is located in Beauly village centre on the A862, adjacent to the village square.
From Inverness: Take the A862 west towards Beauly. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes. As you enter Beauly village, the priory is clearly visible on the left-hand side near the village centre.
From Drumnadrochit/Loch Ness: Take the A831 east to Cannich, then follow signs for Beauly. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes.
The priory is within walking distance of all Beauly village amenities, shops, cafés and pubs.
Public transport: Buses operate from Inverness to Beauly several times daily (Stagecoach services 27 and 28). Journey time is approximately 30 minutes. The priory is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop in Beauly village square.
For those without their own vehicle, however, the easiest way to get there is as part of a Loch Ness day tour from Inverness.
Parking at Beauly Priory
Free public car parking is available in Beauly village centre, approximately 100–200 metres from the priory. The main car park is located on the village square near shops and cafés.
Additional parking may be available on nearby streets, though spaces can be limited during peak tourist season (June to September). The car park is rarely full outside summer months.
The priory is easily accessible on foot from all parking locations in the village. Allow 2–5 minutes’ walk from the main car park.
How long to spend at Beauly Priory
Most visitors spend 20 to 30 minutes exploring Beauly Priory. The ruins are compact and can be viewed from all angles in 15–20 minutes.
Allow additional time if you wish to read all informative signboards (approximately 10 minutes) or explore the surrounding graveyard and burial monuments (add 10–15 minutes).
Visitors combining a priory visit with lunch or shopping in Beauly village may spend 1–2 hours in the village.
Accessibility at Beauly Priory
The priory grounds are accessed via a short gravel path from the A862. The path includes a gentle slope and uneven gravel surface which may be challenging for wheelchairs, particularly after rain.
The interior of the ruined church has grass and uneven stone surfaces. Some areas include loose rubble and exposed foundations.
The priory has no accessible toilet facilities. Public toilets in Beauly village centre (100 metres) include accessible facilities.
Visitors with limited mobility can view the priory exterior from the roadside and adjacent paths without accessing the interior ruins.
What to see at Beauly Priory
Beauly Priory was founded around 1230 for monks of the Valliscaulian order, who came from Val-des-Choux (‘Valley of the Cabbages’) near Dijon in France. The name Beauly derives from French beau lieu, meaning ‘beautiful place’. Mary, Queen of Scots reportedly endorsed this name during a visit in 1564.
The Valliscaulians established only three priories in Scotland: Beauly, Ardchattan (near Oban) and Pluscarden (near Elgin). The order adhered to strict ideals of poverty, chastity and obedience. Monks lived in small cells, wore hairshirts and observed silence. Only the prior was permitted contact with the wider community.
In 1510, the priory transferred allegiance from the Valliscaulian to Cistercian order. The priory was sacked in 1506 and struck by lightning in 1541, prompting reconstruction of the west end. The monks remained until the Reformation in 1560, and the priory was disestablished in 1634.
The ruined church is the only surviving structure. The church takes the form of a Latin cross: a three-bay choir to the east, a seven-bay nave to the west, and two flanking transepts to the north and south. The building stands to near full height in most places, though the roof is entirely missing.
Notable architectural features include Y-tracery windows from the 1200s lighting the presbytery, three trefoiled windows in the monks’ choir, and the graceful west front rebuilt in the 1500s by Abbot Robert Reid. The coat of arms of the Bishop of Orkney is visible above the west doorway arch.
Funerary monuments inside the church include the tomb of Prior Alexander Mackenzie (died 1479) and Sir Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail (died 1492). The two were half-brothers; their tombs stand opposite each other in the monks’ choir. The knight’s effigy remains, though the prior’s effigy is missing. The north chapel served as a Mackenzie family burial aisle.
The surrounding graveyard contains burial stones and tombs spanning 200 years, including headstones of Beauly townspeople from the 18th and 19th centuries. A mature elm tree in the grounds is claimed to be the oldest in Europe, though this is not verified.
Informative signboards provided by Historic Environment Scotland explain the priory’s history, monastic life, architectural features and the Valliscaulian order. The site was featured as a filming location in the television series Outlander.
Practical tips for visiting Beauly Priory
| Tip |
|---|
| Visit during daylight hours to safely explore the ruins and read informative signage. Winter daylight is limited (8am–4pm in December). |
| Watch for uneven ground, loose stones and exposed foundations when walking through the ruins. Sturdy footwear is recommended. |
| The priory is an active graveyard. Maintain a respectful atmosphere and do not disturb burial monuments or headstones. |
| Combine your visit with exploring Beauly village, which has cafés, shops, a traditional grocer (Campbell’s of Beauly) and craft galleries. |
| The priory provides an atmospheric setting for photography, particularly in early morning or late afternoon light. |
| Beauly is a convenient stopping point when travelling between Inverness and the west coast or Isle of Skye. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Beauly Priory suitable for children? | Yes. Children can explore the ruins safely with supervision. Watch for uneven ground and loose stones. The compact size makes it suitable for children of all ages. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No. Beauly Priory is open to all visitors without booking or tickets. Access is unrestricted. |
| Is Beauly Priory open in winter? | Yes. The grounds are accessible year-round, though winter daylight hours are limited. The ruins can be explored at any time. |
| Are dogs allowed? | Yes. Dogs are permitted but must be kept under control. The priory is an active graveyard, so please be respectful. |
| Can you go inside the ruins? | Yes. Visitors can walk through the roofless church and explore the interior, though take care on uneven surfaces. |
| How long has the priory been a ruin? | The priory fell into ruin after being disestablished in 1634, following the Reformation. It has been in state care since 1913 and is now managed by Historic Environment Scotland. |
Things to do near Beauly Priory
Urquhart Castle (17 miles southwest): Medieval castle ruins on the shores of Loch Ness with visitor centre, exhibitions and views across the loch. Operated by Historic Environment Scotland.
Corrimony Chambered Cairn (10 miles west): A 4,000-year-old Bronze Age passage grave surrounded by standing stones in Glen Urquhart. Managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Fort George (12 miles northeast): One of Europe’s finest 18th-century artillery fortifications, still used as a British Army barracks. Operated by Historic Environment Scotland.
Clava Cairns (15 miles southeast): A Bronze Age cemetery with passage graves and standing stones near Culloden. Featured in Outlander. Managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Fortrose Cathedral (18 miles north): Ruined 13th-century cathedral on the Black Isle with vaulted undercroft and chapter house. Managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Glen Affric (18 miles west): Scenic glen with ancient Caledonian pine forest, walking trails and viewpoints. Managed by Forestry and Land Scotland with highlights including Plodda Falls. Free admission. Car parking charges apply at some car parks.
