File:Panoramic_view_of_Elgin_from_Lady_Hill.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Elgin
Sign in to saveformer cathedral city and Royal Burgh in Moray, Scotland, UK
Key facts
- Area
- 9.47 km (3.66 sq mi)
- Population
- 25,040 (2020)
- Density
- 2,644/km (6,850/sq mi)
- Os grid reference
- NJ220626
- Edinburgh
- 117 mi (188 km)
- London
- 443 mi (713 km)
- Council area
- Moray
- Lieutenancy area
- Moray
- Country
- Scotland
- Sovereign state
- United Kingdom
- Post town
- ELGIN
- Postcode district
- IV30
- Dialling code
- 01343
- Police
- Scotland
- Fire
- Scottish
- Ambulance
- Scottish
- Uk parliament
- Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
- Scottish parliament
- Moray
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Population
- 24760
- Official website
- www.elginscotland.com
- Image
- Elgin Cathedral from Newmill Road.jpg
- Dialing code
- 01343
Show 6 more facts
- Commons gallery
- Elgin
- Commons category
- Elgin, Moray
- postal code
- IV30
- OS grid reference
- NJ220626
- P8168
- Faiyum
- P12749
- Theodor Plievier
via Wikidata · CC0
~25 min read
Article
Elgin (/ˈɛlɡɪn/ EL-ghin; Scots: Ailgin; Scottish Gaelic: Eilginn [ˈel(e)kʲɪɲ]) is a historic town (former cathedral city) and formerly a royal burgh in Moray, Scotland. It is the administrative and commercial centre for Moray. The town originated to the south of the River Lossie on the higher ground above the floodplain where the town of Birnie is. There, the church of Birnie Kirk was built in 1140 and still serves the community.
Elgin is first documented in the Cartulary of Moray in AD 1190. It was created a royal burgh in the 12th century by King David I of Scotland, and by that time had a castle on top of the present-day Lady Hill to the west of the town. The origin of the name Elgin is likely to be Celtic. It may derive from 'Aille' literally signifying beauty, but in topography a beautiful place or valley. Another possibility is 'ealg', meaning both 'Ireland' and 'worthy'. The termination 'gin' or 'in' are Celtic endings signifying little or diminutive forms, hence Elgin could mean beautiful place, worthy place or little Ireland.