Local Area: | Elgin | Lossiemouth | Elgin Cathedral | Elgin Museum | Spynie Palace | Pluscarden Abbey |   

Elgin is the capital of Moray and is situated on the A96 Inverness to Aberdeen Road, around 40 miles east of Inverness and 70 miles west of Aberdeen. Elgin has been the principal town of Moray for over eight centuries, having received its charter in 1236. The town actually first came into being around the 10th century and was originally named Helgyn after the Norse general who founded the town. It was one of the most important centres of mediaeval Scotland, the seat of the great bishopric of Moray, and its' long history is recalled by the numerous historic buildings and sites within its bounds. Elgin was one of the first Royal Burghs in Scotland and was granted this status by David I in the early 12th century. The town was originally a market town and is the administrative and educational centre of Moray. The location of Elgin played a significant part in the earliest stories of Scotland. The town was built in an ideal location for defence protected by the River Lossie and the mound at Ladyhill which provided a natural defensive lookout post. A castle was built there but this only lasted until around 1297. Set in an area with a reasonably good climate and fertile soil the countryside round about is rich with game and ideal for agriculture, which is one of the main industries in the area along with distilling, wool milling and, in the earlier days fishing.Most of the main buildings in Elgin were actually erected in the early 18th century after the end of the Jacobite risings. However a few of the earlier built structures still remain such as Braco's Banking House (1684), Alexander Leslies 17th century tower and Thunderton House built in the 16th century. A lot of the really early buildings, such as the first cathedral were destroyed in 1390 by Alexander Stewart, better known as the Wolf of Badenoch. In the 1800s the original Dr Grays Hospital was built as was the Elgin Institution. In the mid 19th century the railway was built and the burgh almost doubled in size. Today it is a busy town with modern amenities, including good shopping with the St Giles shopping centre opened and other big name, national retailers opening shops there. There is also a lot of entertainment available in the town with a new leisure centre and ice rink, bowling alley, cinema and plenty of pubs and clubs. Nowadays the town has a population of around 20,000 compared with only 4000 at the beginning of the 19th century and it continues to thrive and expand.