“In this rich country is the city, or town rather, of Elgin; I say city, because in antient time the monks claim'd it for a city; and the cathedral shews, by its ruins, that it was a place of great magnificence”. So said Daniel Defoe of Elgin in 1717 when visiting Scotland. These days it is no more nor less than a pleasant little town, although reminders of its past shine through here and there.
There are several stone pillars dotted around at various approaches to the town centre. This one appears to celebrate fishing.
Lovely weathered old stone carvings on a building that bnow hosts an estate agency.
Atop St. Giles Church in the centre of town sits this column encircled small tower, complete with little door for would be suicides – or more likely, stone masons and cleaners.
High fashion is de rigeur in this trendsetting Scottish metropolis.
This highly-detailed metal pyramid, featuring moments from Elgin’s proud history, sits in the town square right next to the parking area.
Ben, as he always did, made friends. In fact, Scottish folk are amongst the friendliest you’ll find anywhere. No, honestly – they’re generous as well.
There’s St. Giles Church in the background, behind the statue, and the fountain which has been decorated with traditional Scottish chip papers, plastic cups and beer cans.
The salubrious and attractive entrance to a Haberdashery (love that word), and a Beauty Salon.
Little Mavis discovers an ancient hole at the cathedral.
The cathedral entrance. We decided not to go in, cos it was bloody expensive.
The cathedral ruins, and monuments to the dead. The stone you probably can’t quite read is to Isobel Young, of Millbank, who dies in 1910.
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