Elgin Cathedral

The Grand 13th-Century Towers

​The cathedral's spectacular western entrance is flanked by two monumental, fortress-like towers that stand remarkably complete today. Visitors can explore the ancient masonry by beginning their ascent up the tight spiral staircase of the South West tower. Partway up, a stone walkway spans across the grand western doorway, leading you over to the North West tower. Continuing the climb up this second tower brings you out onto a high, open-air rooftop viewing platform. From this incredible vantage point, you get a bird's-eye perspective over the entire footprint of the ruined nave, along with stunning panoramic views out across the modern town of Elgin and the rolling Moray countryside.

The Wrath of the Wolf of Badenoch

​In June 1390, the cathedral suffered its most devastating and infamous blow. Alexander Stewart, the Earl of Buchan—known to history as the "Wolf of Badenoch"—raged through Moray after being excommunicated by the Bishop. In a vicious act of pure revenge, he and his band of wild highlanders set Elgin Cathedral ablaze, destroying the great western gable, the parish church, and the sacred text archives. The local community later rallied to painstakingly rebuild and expand the structure, making it even more elaborate than before.

The Octagonal Chapter House

​Escaping the worst of the post-Reformation decay, the magnificent octagonal Chapter House stands as a true marvel of medieval engineering. Built in the late 1200s, its vaulting, web-like stone ceiling arches beautifully outwards from a single, central pillar. If you look closely at the walls and column capitals inside, you can spot a riot of incredibly preserved stone carvings featuring mythical beasts, expressive faces, and heraldic crests left behind by the master masons.

Silent Witnesses: The Medieval Stone Faces

​Look closely at the surviving corbels, column capitals, and archways inside the ruins, and you will find an incredible collection of 13th and 14th-century stone carvings. Meticulously chiseled by medieval master masons, these expressive stone heads feature remarkably detailed faces—ranging from royal figures and pious bishops to mocking, grotesque characters. They offer a rare, deeply personal glimpse into the artistic imagination of the craftsmen who built the cathedral centuries ago.

The Knightly Tombs of the Choir Chapels

While the central nave of the cathedral stands open to the sky, the side chapels flanking the choir remain heavily fortified in stone. Stepping inside these quiet sanctuaries reveals a hauntingly beautiful collection of medieval tomb effigies. Here lies the pristine stone monument to Bishop John of Winchester and the grand, armored effigy of Alexander Gordon, the 1st Earl of Huntly (who died in 1470). They stand as a silent, sacred aristocratic cemetery hidden within the cathedral's heart.

The Surviving Medieval Gate: Pans Port

​Tucked away just a short walk from the main ruins stands the Pans Port (Pansport Gateway). Built in the medieval era, this weathered stone archway is an incredibly significant piece of history—it is the only surviving original gateway of the grand precinct wall that once completely enclosed the cathedral's sacred mini-city. Through this very arch, medieval bishops, visiting royalty, and citizens would enter the cathedral grounds. It stands today as a hauntingly beautiful, hidden reminder of Elgin's fortified past.