14 May 2022

Kinloss Abbey Trust has organised two plant foraging tours, at 10am-12pm and 2-4pm led by Anna Canning and Brian Moffat. Numbers are limited. £10. Bookings to info@kinlossabbey.org

Join ethnobotanical researcher and forager Anna Canning of Floramedica to explore the plants growing around Kinloss Abbey, in the company of Dr Brian Moffat, archaeo-ethnobotanist and director of the research on Soutra mediaeval hospital. As well as learning some practicalities and good practice of foraging, we’ll delve into the historical and current uses of plants collected wild or cultivated in the Abbey’s heyday, and the remedies made and ailments they treated. Brian will share insights from Soutra and how they may inform our understanding of the old physic garden remains at the Abbey. Notes to accompany the session will be provided by email after the event. Numbers limited: booking essential. Proceeds from this event will help the Kinloss Abbey Trust develop its work

In the evening there is a lecture by Anna and Brian in Kinloss church, 7-9pm. Entrance £10 which includes refreshments.

Monks and Medicine in Mediaeval Scotland – and its relevance today

In its heyday, the gardens of Kinloss Abbey were renowned throughout Scotland. The Cistercian monks under abbots like Robert Reid used wild plants and orchard fruits for nutrition, medicine and much more. Research on the Mediaeval hospital of Soutra in the Scottish Borders has provided important insights into medicinal uses of plants – and in general into mediaeval remedies and the ailments they were used to treat. Soutra research director, archaeo-ethnobotanist Dr Brian Moffat, joins ethnobotanical researcher Anna Canning (Floramedica) for an illustrated discussion on how the physic garden at the Abbot’s House could have provided health and healing to people across medieval Moray – and what lessons we can draw for today.

Some samples/tasters - medicinal infusions and the like will be available to try