This building was constructed by the monks themselves in the early twentieth century and it was where the Brothers lived as opposed to the Fathers (Priests). It was a shabby construction and has recently been demolished ans rebuilt to high specification.

It was constructed within the last remaining bastion wall of the old fort and this is now protected by Historic Scotland.

The Brothers’ wing is contained within one of the remaining bastion walls, now partially demolished. There is a small conical structure within it which was a spiral stairway to lower levels. This is the only remaining one of these structures which are clearly shown in all four bastions in the war office plans of the time and the model on the introduction page.

Under the brothers’ wing were the kitchens which prepared food for the monks’ refectory, the Enterprises’ Abbot’s Table Restaurant and previously for the school refectory also.

Until recent work was completed very little of this part of the Abbey remained standing, but under this area was one of the most interesting and important corridors of the old fort.

In order to get barrels from the ground floor down to the food cellars a sloping corridor ran the length of the fort from under the hospice, (Old School) right down to below ground level under the old Brothers’ wing. Along this corridor were numerous food cellars including one where Simon Fraser Lord Lovat was held before being taken to London for public beheading in 1746.

It is in this corridor where ghosts have been seen, including one seen by the author of this article during the period when he worked as Bursar for the monastic community.

© 2007 Tony Harmsworth