Fort Augustus Abbey School – Old Boys Association

Fort Augustus Old Boys Association

The Old Boys Association serves to keep the spirit alive of The Fort Augustus Old Boys; the former pupils – boys and girls – who served at the Abbey School in Fort Augustus. Since the School closed in the 90s (and subsequently the Abbey itself), the Old Boys Association has maintained to provide a network amongst Old Boys and to organise an annual dinner for Old Boys and their partners. This website assists to maintain this contact and support. Please bear in mind that this website is run by Old Boys from the school who have nothing to do with the monastery, school nor Benedictine Order.

More information about the Old Boys Association and how to join and support us can be found here.

The 2020 newsletter is now available on the website.

New Photo Gallery

A photo gallery is starting to be built up again using photos from the old photo gallery. These can be found in the photo gallery section in the top menu. As before, we welcome any photos relevant to the Abbey School and comments or names of the sports players. Please send to cbryce@gmail.com

Father Benedict Seed OSB RIP

The death is announced of one of our remaining monks, Father Benedict Seed OSB on Sunday 19 April in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Fr Benedict had retired to St Joseph’s (Little Sisters of the Poor) in Robroyston, Glasgow and sadly succumbed to Covid-19.

Father Benedict was an Old Boy who went into the monastery after school and was ordained in 1956. He was a very keen beekeeper, groundsman and a member of the Abbey fire brigade. He taught Science and Maths at the Abbey and was the Lovat housemaster for many years (1972 – 1985) after which he became headmaster.

Father Benedict’s funeral will take place at Brora on Friday 24 April at 1 o’clock (limited to 6 people due to the Covid-19 situation). Chris Stephenson will represent the Old Boys Association at his funeral.

A brief obituary written by Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB can be found on our Obituaries page.

Requiescant in Pace Father Benedict

Death of Alasdair Macdonald

It is with regret that we inform OBs of the recent death of Alasdair Macdonald (Carlekemp and Fort Augustus 1954 – 66). Alasdair lived on Jersey and was a regular attendee at the Old Boys functions in Glasgow. He was the brother of Gay Guilianotti, Ralph’s wife. RIP Alasdair

Dr Dave Gavine RIP

It is with great regret that we report the death of Dave Gavine (“wee Dave”) on Thursday 2 January peacefully at home in Edinburgh at the age of 82. Dave was the geography teacher from 1970 to 1979. He was also a brilliant astronomer. After leaving Fort Augustus, he went on to achieve his PhD (the first PhD in Scotland from the Open University) and became Dr Dave Gavine. Dave even had an asteroid named after him (https://www.corbie.com/asteroid-named-after-dave-gavine/). A biography of “wee Dave” can be found on the Obituaries page. Photos to follow!

Funeral held 3pm 20th Jan Warriston Cloister Chapel, Warriston Crematorium, Warriston Rd, Edinburgh, EH15 2NP, thereafter Kings Manor Hotel, 100 Milton Rd East, Edinburgh, EH15 2NP