Friday 27 May 2011

Elgin, Scotland

I thought I would give you a little snapshot of the small but beautiful part of the world I live in.

I live in a place called Elgin, in the north east of Scotland. Elgin is only 6 miles from the coast and there are numerous beaches that I have taken the kids to over the years.

the bridge to Lossiemouth beach       (source)

I was born in Elgin but left soon after and my family didn't return until I was 12. I had been used to living in small towns up til then so Elgin was a bit of a culture shock for me. I hated school and couldn't wait to leave.

Some of you may know very little about the place but it just happens to be the home town of actor Kevin Mckidd who starred in Trainspotting, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (to name but a few) and who plays a very yummy doctor in Grey's Anatomy. Although I don't know him personally, I did meet him one Christmas Eve and since then I have found out that he knew my brother Steve really well and used to babysit for his kids.


Kevin Mckidd        (source)
The Cathedral in Elgin dates back to the 13th Century and now lies in ruins after it was damaged by a fire started by the Wolf of Badenoch. The beautiful ruins were allowed to crumble until someone decided that the remains should be restored to their former glory.  The Cathedral is a real tourist attraction now and people come from far and wide to see it. There have also been quite a few weddings held there in more recent years and some short plays have been put on in the grounds too.

Elgin Cathedral - front view (source)


Elgin Cathedral - back view (source)
In more recent years, behind the Cathedral, the local authority have added the Biblical Gardens which are open to the public. Weddings ceremonies can be held in these beautiful gardens too. There is a lovely peacefulness about the place and it is a lovely place to just 'be'.

The Biblical Gardens (source)
The town centre of Elgin is pedestrianised and the centre boasts a beautiful church called St Giles. This is the church that runs Holly's theatre group. In front of the church is a pretty fountain that for quite a long time didn't work but in recent years has been fixed. It has been fixed so well that walking close to it is not an option as you get a good soaking for your efforts!  It is lovely though.

St Giles Church (pic  from here)

A distillery on the outskirts of Elgin, called the Glen Moray forms part of the famous Malt Whisky Trail and in the village of Craigellachie is the Speyside Cooperage, the only working cooperage in the UK which provides  casks to local distilleries and companies worldwide.

Speyside Cooperage   (source)

Elgin is home to famous brands such as Johnstons of Elgin cashmere mills and Gordon and MacPhail, leading Malt Whisky specialist. Only a few miles away are Baxters of Speyside, famous for their soups and Walkers of Aberlour, famous for their Scottish Shortbread. Yum Yum.

making the cashmere (source)
yummy yum yum (source)

famous soup     (source)

As well as the many beaches around my home town, there are loads of beautiful walks through woods and hills. The famous Speyside Way idles through a few villages in the Moray area. The main path is 65 miles long and passes through some of the most stunning scenery.

along the speyside way   (source)

another part of the Speyside Way     (source)

Does it make you want to come and visit?

26 comments:

  1. Something really different from you this morning, LyndyLou, and how lovely to see some gorgeous photos of Elgin where you live. It really does look beautiful. Gosh, I thought we had gorgeous beaches all around here, but that Lossiemouth beach looks marvellous! I didn't know Kevin McKidd's name but recognized him as soon as I saw his picture. Hope you, Holly and Jack are going on ok at the moment. Have a lovely weekend and I hope you get some sunshine. It's been in short supply down here in Devon for this past week!

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  2. I thoroughly enjoyed your guided tour of Elgin, including the photos.

    When I was a virile young man after my freshman year in college I hitchhiked from Tennessee to and back from Yellowstone Park in Wyoming one summer to work there. It was there that I met and fell heads-over-heals infatuated with one of the most beautiful young ladies I've ever seen named Bonnie Lou Lance.....who just happened to be from a little town in Iowa named Elgin.

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  3. Yes, I want to visit!!!! In fact I'm writing this comment from a plane heading your way!!!! : ) I've always wanted to go to Scotland and Ireland which is where most of my family is from...and Germany, but they're not as fun. : ) Love this post, wish I were there...

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  4. Of course I do - it looks like such a lovely place, but not quite as lovely as the person who wrote the post - who I really want to see. :D

    Thank you for sharing - it was a fun "walk".

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  5. Absolutely! I want to come visit soo bad!!

    It's always been one of my dreams to go to your lovely land and explore all the ancient ruins of castles.

    It's boggles my mind how much history you have all around you in your country.

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  6. Someday I'm coming. I'll bring Skippy and we'll pick up Thisisme after visiting Devon, England and head to you. Great history lesson and beautiful pictures. Really enjoyed this.

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  7. Makes me want to come & stay. Have a great weekend & give my regards to Holly & Jack.
    Huggs,
    Odie

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  8. I want to come visit!! It looks abosolutely breathtaking. I love all the beaches and the wooden paths. thanks for the tour and gorgeous pictures :D

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  10. A friend of mine from uni hails from Elgin. I never got to see the place but I guess this is the next best thing. Cheers

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  11. What a pretty place you live in!! the cathedral and grounds look gorgeous...... tell Barb to wait for me lol

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  12. ~~What a magnificant place to live :)
    Popping in from LBS...Wow!

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  13. Hi! I'm Katie and I found you at the blogger-list of the Lady Bloggers Tea Party. You have some seriously great pictures that make me wanna go and pack my things ;-)

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  14. Hi LandyLu, I came across your blog via Thisisme (Diane) that recommended a visit. What a beautiful place you live in, it looks absolutely gorgeous. I love the pictures. Oh I do like the actor Kevin McKidd, am a fan of Grey's Anatomy.
    Have a lovely Sunday evening.

    EvaMarie

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  15. I'm jealous--your town is stunning and I do want to visit! Absolutely beautiful!

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  16. Hello Hello...ThisIsMe sent me your way and I'm so thrilled she did! I have always dreamed of going to Scotland my hand to Gawd! My family comes from there eons ago and I plan to one day make my way home. I am looking forward to reading, following and enjoying your blog...if you get a chance please hop on over to mine!
    PS, My icon when I follow says Who Dat...explained on my blog!
    Hugs~

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  17. Thisisme - yes it is a pretty place especially when the sun is shining
    Don - loved your story about Bonnie
    Elle - you would love it, there is so much to see
    SkippyMom - aww you say the lovliest things
    Kellie - We have so much history on our doorstep
    Bouncin Barb - Cool, bring it on
    Odie - that was the idea
    Somnia - your welcome any time
    Anonymous - I don't know the answer to this! Let me know when you find it :)
    ThomasMcCool - us Elgin folk get everywhere
    IWBY - oh I will!
    myinnerchick.com - thank you
    Kathiza - thanks for popping in, hope to see you again
    EvaMaria Sa - thanks for stopping by and yes Kevin McKidd is just yummy!
    Lizbeth - I think so too
    Sush - welcome to my blog and thank you for staying :)

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  18. Thank you for the wonderful photos. I would come to see the castle alone. I am of Scottish heritage. My mother, a McLeod; my father a Machan.

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  19. I never thought about Scotland having beaches...silly of me since it's pretty much surrounded by water--duh!

    Lov the photos.

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  20. Belle - we have loads of castles around here for you to visit
    Eva Gallant - lol thanks

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  21. Oh what a beautiful place you live in I love the photos you have shared with us and yes it does make me want to visit.......... I didn't recognize the name Kevin McKidd but knew the face how cool your brother knowing him.

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  22. Jo-Anne Rambling - thanks, yes very cool :)

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  23. I wanna come! :D

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  24. hey up sis been enjoyin ur stuff. Rachel house looks calmin and pretty, glad u got Jack in there.
    still findin stuff 2 read and look at in a snails pace.
    Hope ur all well, luv 2 all xxxx

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  25. AD - get on a plane, quick :)
    Kathleen - omg! you managed to sign in on my blog, you computing skills are getting better ;)

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  26. How very, very lovely! I love places with a rich, deep history. I've always heard Scotland is beautiful. My ancestors left it many hundreds of years ago, but I am always proud that I have part of my heritage in Scotland.

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