Elgin factfile

How to get to Elgin
Elgin is situated on both banks of the River Lossie in Moray, in the Highlands of Scotland. You can drive to Elgin on the A96 which runs from Inverness to Aberdeen. There are also regular train and bus services from both Inverness and Aberdeen.

Elgin through the ages
Records of Elgin go back to the 10th century. It has long been the commercial and administrative capital of Moray. The medieval layout of Elgin is preserved to this day.

Landmarks in Elgin
Elgin Cathedral is regarded as one of the most spectacular ruins in Scotland and is known as the Lantern of the North. Second in size only to St Andrew's Cathedral, it was established in 1224 but fell into disrepair after three centuries.

Things to see and do around Elgin
Next to Elgin Cathedral are the Biblical Gardens. Set over three acres, and open from May to September, the walled gardens incorporate biblical scriptures into their landscapes.

In the days when Elgin was like a burning desert—during the Permo-Triassic period, a mere 250 million years ago—a variety of unique reptiles roamed the area. You can see the extraordinary Elgin reptiles collection of fossils at the Elgin Museum.

Pluscarden Abbey, a few miles outside the city, is the only medieval monastery in Britain which is still inhabited by monks. It was founded in 1230.

Housed in an old mill building, the Moray Motor Museum has a vintage collection of cars and motorbikes from the 1900s to the 1960s.

Sports and leisure in Elgin
Moray Leisure Centre has an ice skating rink, swimming pool, squash courts, and fitness equipment and classes. You can enjoy complimentary and beauty therapy treatments and art classes there—and even learn pole dancing!

Elgin has a golf club, curling clubs and a number of distilleries if you enjoy a good whisky.

Famous people from Elgin
Actor Kevin McKidd, star of Trainspotting and Dog Soldiers, was born and brought up in Elgin, as was Celtic defender and Scotland coach Steven Pressley. Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, taught at Weston House Academy in Elgin.

Elgin's claim to fame
Shakespeare's Macbeth was an actual historial figure. The King of the Scots really did rise to the throne by killing Duncan—not in his bed, but in battle at Pitgaveny, in Elgin, in 1040.