Scalan

For much of the 18th century, the college at Scalan in the Braes of Glenlivet was the only place in Scotland where young men were trained to be Catholic priests, the so-called "heather priests". From 1717 to 1799, over a hundred were trained despite numerous attacks by Hanoverian soldiers. Scalan was burned to the ground by them on several occasions but was always rebuilt. The college played a vital role in keeping the traditional Catholic faith alive in northern Scotland. It was named after the Gaelic word given to turf-roofed sheilings () found in the Braes during that period. In 1799, the college was moved to a less remote site, Aquhorthies College, which had larger premises and more…

Visitors today will note that the college is largely invisible until you are very close to the college, a factor invaluable in evading detection by the Hanoverian soldiers. The Scalan is now a museum and is open all year for visitors. The Scalan Association seeks to promote the preservation of the college of Scalan and its history.