Elgin Cathedral is celebrating its 800th anniversary with a series of festivities that aim to bring the story of the historic ruin to life.
Known as the “Lantern of the North”, Moray church was founded in 1224 on land granted by King Alexander II near the River Lossie.
It is one of the most beautiful medieval cathedrals in the country and was once “richly carved and adorned with stained glass and painted decoration”, according to Ambiente Histórico. Scotland (HES).
It remained unharmed during the Wars of Scottish Independence, but suffered extensive fire damage in 1390 when the Wolf of Badenoch – King Robert III’s brother Alexander Stewart – burned it during a raid.
Photo: Malcolm McCurrach/HES
A two-day history-themed event will take place at the cathedral on Saturday and Sunday, from 12pm to 4pm on both days.
The weekend will be full of entertainment for the whole family, including presentations on calligraphy and medieval beer from the 13th century.
There will also be living history presentations, where audiences will hear from a 14th-century bricklayer and blacksmith who helped repair the cathedral after the attack of the Wolf of Badenoch, and stories from the lives of 16th-century monks.
Photo: Malcolm McCurrach/HES
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And on the evening of August 28th, literature will meet architecture with a theatrical adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes story The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Tickets for this event cost from £12 and must be pre-booked.
Photo: Crown Copyright / HES
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Alongside the festivities, special 3D scans of some of the iconic stone sculptures found in the cathedral are available. watch online.
The cathedral is looked after by HES.
Richard Green, Elgin Cathedral monuments manager at HES, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming visitors to Elgin Cathedral this weekend to celebrate the 800th anniversary of this iconic site.
“With performances and living history presentations taking place on Saturdays and Sundays, the story of the ‘Lantern in the North’ will come to life in a new and exciting way.
“From insights into 13th-century medieval calligraphy and brewing, to stories of 14th-century stonemasons and tales of 16th-century monks, there’s entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.”
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