The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is to turn its attention to the historic Fort Augustus Abbey when it had been run by Benedictine monks.
The hearing will begin probing residential care establishments run by male religious orders within the Roman Catholic Church, including the Highland school.
Allegations about abuse at the abbey have been made since it closed over 20 years ago, and one former monk was earlier this year convicted of physical abuse, while others face extradition hearings.
The inquiry has so far been looking at residential care provided by female religious orders and will later this year investigate charities.
Its chairwoman, Lady Smith, yesterday announced investigations will next year concentrate on five male religious institutions, including the Abbey, and called for anyone affected to come forward.
Fort Augustus Abbey School included in Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry
The hearings will focus on the Order of Benedictines and their provision at the Fort Augustus school and Carlekemp School in North Berwick.
They will also examine the Marist Brothers and their provision at St Joseph’s College, Dumfries, and also at St Columba’s College in Largs.
Finally, the Christian Brothers and their provision at St Ninian’s in Falkland, Fife, will be scrutinised.
Lady Smith said: “In July this year, we completed the hearings in the second of our case studies into the provision of residential care for children in Scotland by female religious orders.
“At that time, I announced that, in 2019, we would begin a case study into the provision of such care by male religious orders.
“Investigations into establishments run by male religious orders and other preparatory work are well underway. We have been pleased with the response to date.”
She added: “We are now able to give details of the three male religious orders and their establishments we will have a particular focus on.
“Please would anyone who has any relevant information about any of these orders and schools contact the inquiry.
“It does not matter whether you have already made a report to the police or to anyone else and it does not matter whether or not you have been involved in any other investigation.
“You can still talk to us and we want to hear from you.
“I am well aware that it can be difficult and very emotional to talk about experiences in care and I want to take this opportunity to give an assurance that we have a dedicated witness support team here who will help and support anyone providing evidence to us.”
At a later stage the inquiry will look separately into the provision of care by the De La Salle Brothers, who ran a number of institutions in Scotland.
The first phase of the hearings began in May last year.
Next month phase three will commence, investigating residential child care establishments run by large scale care providers, Quarriers, Aberlour and Barnardo’s.
What is the Child Abuse Inquiry?
The overall aim and purpose of the Child Abuse Inquiry is to raise public awareness of the abuse of children in care.
The inquiry’s “Terms of Reference” include to consider the extent to which institutions and bodies with legal responsibility for the care of children failed in their duty to protect them abuse and, in particular, to identify any systemic failures in fulfilling that duty.
It also aims to examine how abuse affected and still affects these victims in the long term, and how in turn it affects their families.
The Inquiry is to cover the period which is within living memory of any person who suffered such abuse.
It is also to consider the extent to which failures by state or non-state institutions (including the courts) to protect children in care in Scotland from abuse have been addressed by changes to practice, policy or legislation.
It is also considering whether further changes in practice, policy or legislation are necessary in order to protect children in care in Scotland from such abuse in future.
