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· Ruin

A little bit of information about Elgin Cathedral. It was consecrated in 1224, and was known as the 'Lantern of the North' because it brought the enlightenment of religion to the area.

The famous attack by Alexander Stewart, the 'Wolf of Badenoch' took place in 1390. The Bishop had excommunicated Stewart because of his violent behaviour, and in revenge he raided both Elgin and Forres, and set fire to the Cathedral.

However this was not the end of the Cathedral. It was rebuilt and continued in use until the Reformation. In 1567 the Protestant Regent Earl of Moray, seeing the Cathedral as a symbol of Roman Catholicism, sold the lead from the Cathedral roof; it was seen as divine retribution when the ship carrying the lead sank.

The Roman Catholic Earls of Errol and Huntly held a Mass in the partly ruined building in 1594 to celebrate their victory in the Battle of Glenlivet against the Protestant Earl of Argyll. This was the last service held there until modern times.

After this the building was more or less neglected. The great central tower collapsed on Easter Sunday 1711 while the faithful were at worship in their nearby Protestant kirks.

The ruins were used as a quarry for building stone until 1807, when the Goverment took charge. The second curator was John Shanks, who set about the task of tidying up. He is said to have removed over 3000 barrowloads of rubble, and he is fittingly commemorated by a tombstone in the east wall.

The Cathedral is now in the care of Historic Scotland, and is open to visitors. There is a superb view from the top of the west towers, and among the many interesting features is the chapter house, which is almost complete and well worth a visit.