Scottish

Towns

Elgin - History

The old town of Elgin was more compact than today, with Lady Hill to the east and the cathedral to the west. A royal castle once stood on Lady Hill but only scant remains can be seen of it today. It was this castle which Edward I of England occupied during those turbulent closing years of the 13th century. On Lady Hill today you will see a tall column, a monument erected in honour of the Duke of Gorgon. Elgin cathedral, without doubt the jewel in this ancient royal burgh's crown, is known as the "Lanthorn of the North&qout;. Built in the closing years of the 13th century, many people hold it be the most beautiful cathedral in Scotland! The twin towers of the cathedral present an imposing and magnificent sight whilst the choir, which is of early Gothic, is nothing short of a masterpiece. Few could stand and gaze at the great rose window and deny its breathtaking beauty. Despite this cathedral's architectural importance and splendour, it of course has suffered with the ebb and flow of Scotland's fortunes, too many to detail in this short history section but it is worth mentioning a few of the more noteable events. The cathedral was burnt to the ground in 1390, together with the old town of Elgin, by Alexander, Earl of Buchan, perhaps better known today as the notorious Wolf of Badenoch. Such were the deeds of this man that ultimately he the sentence of excommunication was passed upon him and, so enraged was he, that he set all of Elgin aflame, including the cathedral. The cathedral Last updated April 2000 © Scottish Towns