Elgin
Elgin
is one of Scotland's oldest established towns, in the heart
of Morayshire. It is set in an area with beautiful gardens,
rich agricultural lowlands, salmon rivers and malt whisky
distilleries. It is located between Inverness and Aberdeen,
where there are many picturesque villages to explore eastwards
along the Moray coastline including Findochty, Cullen with
the superb cullen beach and Buckie where there is the Buckie
Drifter, the Maritime Heritage Centre. Elgin received its
charter in 1234 and was originally the site of a splendid
cathedral which was founded in 1224. Parts of the old medieval
street plan still exist, there are many 18th century buildings
to be admired in this former royal burgh.
Elgin
Cathedral
Elgin
Cathedral, known as the 'Lantern of the North', was established
in 1224 by Alexander II as the seat of the Bishopric of
Moray. It is second in size in Scotland only to St Andrews
Cathedral. Much of the work is in a rich late 13th century
style. It is the superb ruin of what many think was Scotland's
most beautiful cathedral. The transepts west towers and
parts of the choir and nave survived a fire in 1270. Then
after extensive rebuilding the cathedral survived until
1390 when it was burnt, again rebuilt during the 15th century.
The cathedral was vandalised during the reformation, and
eventually fell into ruin. The towers at the entrance to
the main chapel are still intact, there are several effigies
on the tombs. There is also a Pict stone which is allocated
at the centre of the cathedral. There are several symbols
inside the walls of the cathedral and there is a great view
of the town from the North Tower.
Elgin
Museum
The
museum was founded in 1836, it is independent and is managed
by the Moray Society. The Museum houses many important collections
of Natural History, Geology, Archaeology, Science, Art,
Ethnography and Social History. It is best known for pictish
stones and unique local fossils. You can learn about the
story of Moray, the early farmers who changed the Moray
landscape 6,000 years ago, and the Picts who left their
strange symbols carved in stone. The exhibitions try to
show much of the museums treasures by holding activities,
workshops, conferences and courses.
The other Museum in Elgin is the Moray Motor Museum, which
is in converted mill buildings at Bridge Street, it features
a variety veteran, vintage and classic cars and motorcycles
plus memorabilia from years past. It also features an old
water mill, dating back to 1230, it has been fully restored
and it is now in full working order.
Pluscarden
Abbey
Pluscarden
Abbey is six miles from Elgin town centre, it is one of
Scotland's most unusual attractions. It was founded in 1230
by Alexander II for Valliscaulian monks. It was in the thirteenth
century that the monks first came to Pluscarden Abbey. It
is the only medieval monastery in Britain still inhabited
by Monks and being used for its original purpose. It is
situated in a sheltered, south facing glen against a background
of forested hillside, this adds to the beauty of its architecture
and the restful atmosphere.
Elgin
Today
Today,
Elgin is a busy town, its industries include distilling,
wool milling and support industries for what remains of
the trawler fleet. Other attractions include an art gallery,
leisure centre with 2 swimming pools, sauna, gymnasium,
ice rink and cinema. The Elgin Museum, and the Moray Motor
Museum, The Cashmere Visitor Centre, Johnstons of Elgin,
established over two hundred years ago in 1797. The Company
now employs 700 people. Johnstons have the only British
Mill to transform cashmere right through from fibre to garment.
Close to the town centre is Cooper Park which stretches
for 40 acres with a boating lake. Also Millbuies Country
Park and Quarrelwood Woodland Park. Five miles north-west
of Elgin is Duffus Castle, built in the 14th century on
the site of an earlier wooden construction, the weight of
the heavy construction caused the ground to slump and the
building has split apart and is slowly drifting down toward
the bottom of the hill.
