Elgin is an ancient settlement, first noted in the Cartulary of Moray back in 1190 AD. Thirty years later it was a Royal Burgh with a new cathedral under construction. Sadly the cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1270, but the town thrived over the centuries.
The 1800s saw the arrival of the railway and a burst of beautiful new buildings, many of which exist today. Unfortunately this came at the cost of the old medieval town, which was pulled apart to free up the land.
Old Photos of Elgin
Enjoy a lovely collection of old black and white photos showing the town over a number of decades in the past century.
Old Photographs Elgin Moray Scotland – on YouTube
Cooper Park Opens 1903
Restrictions mean the thumbnail can’t be displayed here, but click the link and you’ll be taken through to the National Library of Scotland to see “OPENING COOPER PARK, ELGIN, AUGUST 1903”.
The opening of Cooper Park in August 1903 was accompanied by great fanfare, and the crowds turned out in force! I’d be surprised if anyone could hear the speeches, given the number of black umbrellas opened against the rain, and the astonishing number of people present.
Ramsey MacDonald: Freedom of Elgin 1929
In 1929, Prime Minister Ramsey MacDonald received freedom of his home town. The ceremony took place at the Town Hall, originally built in 1884 but later destroyed by fire in 1939.
The British Movietone footage is high quality and accompanied by sound.
In attendance was the American Ambassador General Charles Gates Dawes (August 27, 1865 – April 23, 1951), 30th vice president of the United States (for the Republican party) from 1925 to 1929.
At the event General Dawes paid tribute to the Prime Minister, and apparently spoke “emphatically on the subject of naval disarmament”.
Hitler’s rise to power in Germany in the 1930s happened so shockingly fast that when these dignitaries assembled in the Town Hall in 1929, they could not have foreseen World War II breaking out ten years later.
July 1929 also saw Moray Golf Club reverse its ban on Ramsay MacDonald’s membership.
Born in Lossiemouth (the Elgin port which became an important fishing town), Ramsey and his sons were keen golfers at the club.
But in August 1915, a year into the Great War (World War I), members moved to oust him given his outspoken anti-war stance as a Labour MP.
The dispute rumbled on for a few years. So by the time he became Prime Minister and received an invitation to return to the club in 1929, it was too late for Ramsey to put past grievances behind him.
Prime Minister Receives the Freedom of Elgin – on YouTube
Elgin Charcity Day 1933
Restrictions mean the thumbnail can’t be displayed here, but click the link and you’ll be taken through to the National Library of Scotland to see “ELGIN CHARCITY DAY 1933”.
Silent, black and white footage of a bright, sunny day in 1933. Many different activities filmed.
Elgin Charcity Day 1935
Restrictions mean the thumbnail can’t be displayed here, but click the link and you’ll be taken through to National Library of Scotland to see “ELGIN CHARCITY DAY 1935”.
Lots of adults and children take an interest in the camera on this day in 1935. We also see lots of buildings as the parade goes through town.
Elgin Gala Week 1950
Restrictions mean the thumbnail can’t be displayed here, but click the link and you’ll be taken through to National Library of Scotland to see “ELGIN GALA WEEK 1950”.
This silent, black and white footage from 1950, includes the children’s fancy dress competition, parade, and crowning of the Gala Queen. Large numbers of children, and later adults, appear.
Pluscarden Priory Restoriation Fete 1955
Restrictions mean the thumbnail can’t be displayed here, but click the link and you’ll be taken through to National Library of Scotland to see “PLUSCARDEN PRIORY RESTORATION FETE”.
Cooper Park hosted the 1955 Restoration Fete. Some of the dignitaries included Lord Cawdor (chairman), Brigadier H.W. Houldsworth (Lord Lieutenant of Murray), and Pluscarden’s Abbot, Wilfred Upson.
Amusement stalls, pony rides and a tea tent are all enjoyed by the crowds of visitors.
Last Week of Train Service 1968
In 1968, the train service between Aberdeen and Elgin via Buckie, and from Elgin to Keith Junction via Craigellachie, was ended. This silent, colour, 8mm archive film shows scenes from the final week of service for these Scottish branch lines.
We see station names shown clearly along the route.
Scottish Branch lines-Coast and Glen lines -last week of service 1968 – on YouTube
Northern Scot Centenary 1980
Restrictions mean the thumbnail can’t be displayed here, but click the link and you’ll be taken through to National Library of Scotland to see “NORTHERN SCOT”.
1980 saw the centenary of the ‘Northern Scot’ newspaper, which was published by the Moray and Nairn Newspaper Company Ltd. Therefore, this film was made to commemorate the event.
It captures both the interior and exterior of their premises. Inside, we see the various departments at work, including the printers.
There’s also a look at past editions of the newspaper, some dating back to 1880.
It captured life at a small local newspaper just before the industry went through dramatic technological and financial change.
Margaret Thatcher 1983
In 1983, the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, came to the town for an official visit at a textile factory. It may have been Johnstons of Elgin.
Peaceful protestors wait quietly outside, with some interviewed by the press.
What’s perhaps most striking from the footage inside the factory is the scrum of security and officials that crowd round her, stopping employees getting anywhere near her unless they are selected for attention.
Restrictions mean the thumbnail can’t be displayed here, but click the link and you’ll be taken through to National Library of Scotland to see “GRAMPIAN TELEVISION NEWS TAPE L0224”.
The footage is on ‘video 6’ of these clips.
Bike Trip 2015
In the summer of 2015, the creator of YouTube channel Onelife stu recorded his mountain bike ride round the town.
Elgin, Scotland by MTB – Onelife stu on YouTube
Almost nine minutes of footage, accompanied by cheerful music.
Many local people and places appear along the route.
Drone Footage 2019
Drone footage above the town taken in 2019, showing spectacular landscapes bathed in sunshine. Fabulous editing too so you get to see a lot in a short time.
Elgin Moray Scotland – on YouTube
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