Castles · Scottish Highlands
Elgin, Moray
Elgin ( EL-ghin; Scots: Ailgin; Scottish Gaelic: Eilginn [ˈel(e)kʲɪɲ]) is a historic town (former cathedral city) and formerly a royal burgh in Moray, Scotland. It is the administrative and commercial
Des Colhoun — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
About
Elgin ( EL-ghin; Scots: Ailgin; Scottish Gaelic: Eilginn [ˈel(e)kʲɪɲ]) is a historic town (former cathedral city) and formerly a royal burgh in Moray, Scotland. It is the administrative and commercial centre for Moray. The town originated to the south of the River Lossie on the higher ground above the floodplain where the town of Birnie is. There, the church of Birnie Kirk was built in 1140 and still serves the community. Elgin is first documented in the Cartulary of Moray in AD 1190. It was created a royal burgh in the 12th century by King David I of Scotland, and by that time had a castle on top of the present-day Lady Hill to the west of the town. The origin of the name Elgin is likely to be Celtic. It may derive from 'Aille' literally signifying beauty, but in topography a beautiful place or valley. Another possibility is 'ealg', meaning both 'Ireland' and 'worthy'. The termination 'gin' or 'in' are Celtic endings signifying little or diminutive forms, hence Elgin could mean beautiful place, worthy place or little Ireland.
Photo gallery
From the Wikipedia article
Elgin ( EL-ghin; Scots: Ailgin; Scottish Gaelic: Eilginn [ˈel(e)kʲɪɲ]) is a historic town (former cathedral city) and formerly a royal burgh in Moray, Scotland. It is the administrative and commercial centre for Moray. The town originated to the south of the River Lossie on the higher ground above the floodplain where the town of Birnie is. There, the church of Birnie Kirk was built in 1140 and still serves the community. Elgin is first documented in the Cartulary of Moray in AD 1190. It was created a royal burgh in the 12th century by King David I of Scotland, and by that time had a castle on top of the present-day Lady Hill to the west of the town. The origin of the name Elgin is likely to be Celtic. It may derive from 'Aille' literally signifying beauty, but in topography a beautiful place or valley. Another possibility is 'ealg', meaning both 'Ireland' and 'worthy'. The termination 'gin' or 'in' are Celtic endings signifying little or diminutive forms, hence Elgin could mean beautiful place, worthy place or little Ireland.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
, found in the churchyard of St Giles' Church in 1823]] The discovery of the Elgin Pillar, a 9th-century class II Pictish stone, under the High Street in 1823 suggests there may have been an Early Christian presence in the area of the later market, but there is no further evidence of activity before Elgin was created a Royal Burgh in the 12th century. In August 1040, MacBeth's army defeated and killed Duncan I at Bothganowan (Pitgaveny), near Elgin. Elgin is first recorded in a charter of David I in 1151 in which he granted an annuity to the Priory of Urquhart. David had made Elgin a royal burgh around 1130, after his defeat of Óengus of Moray. During David's reign, the castle was…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 57.6486, -3.3153
- District
- Moray
- Postcode
- IV30 1BW
- Parliamentary constituency
- Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Sources
- wikipedia: Elgin, Moray (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
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Nearby
📷 5Historic churches · Scottish Highlands
St Giles' Church of Scotland, High Street, Elgin
St Giles' Church of Scotland, High Street, Elgin — category A listed building-listed church in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands
Elgin War Memorial
Elgin War Memorial — a memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 4Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands
Muckle Cross
Muckle Cross is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
📷 5Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands
War Memorial, High Street, Elgin
War Memorial, High Street, Elgin — category C listed building-listed memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Scottish Highlands
Elgin landmarks
Elgin landmarks — a public art in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Scottish Highlands
Dandy Lion
Dandy Lion — a public art in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Elgin, Moray?
- Elgin, Moray is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode IV30 1BW).
- Does Elgin, Moray charge admission?
- Elgin, Moray typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Elgin, Moray?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode IV30 1BW. It sits within the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey parliamentary constituency.