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Elgin
Elgin
is the capital of Moray and the surrounding villages include New Elgin,
Alves, Miltonduff, Pluscarden, Birnie, Fogwatt, Longmorn and Dallas.
Elgin has a population of nearly 21,000
(Census 2001), historically it was protected from strife-torn central
Scotland by the Cairngorms to the south and until the 19th century, by two
unbridged rivers, the Spey to the east and the Findhorn to the west.
Although the name Helgyn on the town's seal
may imply Norse links, recorded history only begins with King David 1 in
1150. Pop Honorarius agreed to the removal of the Cathedral of Moray
from its third resting place at Spynie to its final site by the Holy
Trinity Church, which lay just outside the burgh's eastern boundary on the
haughs of the river Lossie. A walled city grew up around the
Cathedral and this was know as the Chanonry, it linked with the town at
the Little Cross.
The late 18th century was a period of
decline, yet improvements were on their way. Between 1820 and 1840,
Elgin was transformed into a stately neo-classical town, much of which
survives today. By 1838, the town had become more prosperous, as its
new buildings reflected, including an excellent Academy, an extensive
public library, a weekly newspaper and an institution for older people.
Today, due to Elgin's expanding population,
new areas have been developed including New Elgin and Bishopmill.
Close to Elgin are the villages of Birnie,
Fogwatt and Longmorn. Birnie is home to one of the oldest kirks that
has been in continuous use in Scotland.
Pluscarden Abbey lies in the tranquil,
sheltered valley of the Black Burn some six miles south west of Elgin.
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