Elgin Tourist Information

Elgin Moray Scotland Tourist Guide

Elgin is the main town and commercial centre of the Moray area. It lies just five miles south of Lossiemouth which used to be the port servicing Elgin. Elgin is a handy base for exploring the Moray coast and countryside and it's in the heart of the malt whisky area of Scotland.

Elgin is a busy market town that has a wide choice of shops, restaurants and cafes in comparison to many of the smaller towns nearby. In fact its pedestrianised high street is quite grand with several 19th century buildings towering over the main square. Due to its importance historically the town still retains many of its old buildings some of which date from the 13th century.

Elgin Castle once stood on Lady Hill but little remains of it today. More prominent is the Duke of Gordon Monument o the same hill which towers over the town. Lady Hill is worth the climb for a good panoramic view of Elgin.

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Elgin Cathedral

As a testament to Elgin's former importance it has what was a magnificent cathedral. It dates from 1224 and is known as the Lantern of the North. It was the second largest cathedral in Scotland but is now largely in ruins after it was abandoned in previous centuries. You can still imagine how stunning it must have once been as some of the ornate decoration of the Chapterhouse remains. There is also a Pictish Cross within the cathedral's grounds with typical Celtic carvings.

The cathedral is just round the corner from the Tourist Information Office on North College Street. It is cared for by Historic Scotland so there is an entrance fee. Opening times: 1 April-30 September Mon-Sun 9.30am-5.30 pm. 1 October-31 March Sat-Weds (closed Thursday and Friday) 9.30 am-4.30 pm

Tourist Information Office, 17 High Street, Elgin, IV30 1EG. Tel: 01343 542666.

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Elgin Museum - The Moray Society

Elgin Museum at the top of the High Street is one of Britain's oldest independent museums. It is run by The Moray Society and has a huge variety of exhibits particularly Pictish stones and fossils.

The museum was built in 1842 to house the collections of the Elgin and Morayshire Scientific Association who collected artefacts from all over the world as well as near home. Today the museum has 36,000 items to choose from and has regular different themed displays are put together over the year. Items held by the museum include fossils largely from the Moray area, a comprehensive archaeological collection including Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Pictish, Roman and Medieval finds, photographic local history as well as butterfly, egg and shell collections and an art collection of watercolours from 19th and 20th century artists.

Volunteers who keep the museum going are involved in a range of projects including recording oral history from the Elgin area.

The museum is open to the public from April to October. Elgin Museum, 1 High Street, Elgin, Moray. IV30 1EQ. Email: curator@elginmuseum.org.uk.

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Pluscarden Abbey

Six miles from Elgin's town centre is Pluscarden Abbey, a medieval monastery which is unique in that it is still being used for its original purpose and is still inhabited by monks.

The monastery was founded in 1230 for a French order of monks but in 1390 suffered the burning antics of the Wolf of Badenoch, the Earl of Buchan Alexander Stewart, in his rampage for having been excommunicated by the Bishop of Moray. The abbey has had to keep fairly low key during periods of its history where monastic life was suppressed, but was revived in the 19th century when the third Marquis of Bute started to repair the buildings.

The present day community was established in 1948 when the abbey was donated to a small group of Benedictine Monks from Gloucester. The internet-friendly monks have a website on the monastery with a virtual tour of the abbey, tips on how to become a monk and it also gives you further details of how you can book yourself on a retreat as well as an online shop.

It is open to visitors daily from 4.30am to 8.30 pm. Admission is free. Pluscarden Abbey, Elgin, Morayshire IV30 8UA. There is an email form for enquiries on the website.

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