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Elgin & WhiskyElgin is home to world famous Whisky retailers Gordon & MacPhail, often credited with keeping the idea of Single Malt Whisky alive during the years of total blend dominance. As well as the shop, they have a massive watehouse complex in Elgin, and own the Benromach Distillery in Forres.
Distilleries Glen Moray Distillery is in Elgin, Linkwood just outside and there are 6 others within 5 miles. BenRiach Distillery - www.benriachdistillery.co.uk Glen Elgin Distillery (Diageo - Classic Malts) Glen Moray Distillery - www.glenmoray.com Glenlossie Distillery (Diageo) Linkwood Distillery (Diageo) Longmorn Distillery Mannochmore Distillery (Diageo) Miltonduff Distillery |
Elgin calls itself Scotland's smallest city - though it is no longer officially recognised as a city (since 1975), and there are other smaller places such as Kirkwall and Dunblane often referred to as Cathedral Cities.
Elgin's Cathedral was originally authorised in 1224, but suffered a number of fires, attacks and rebuilds over the following 250 years. The decline to the current ruinous state followed the Reformation and the government ordering the removal of lead from the rooof. Restoration of what remained started in 1809. (The Elgin Marbles have nothing to do with Elgin as such, but are named for Lord Elgin who arranged for their theft or preservation, whichever you think is the appropriate definition). Arriving & DepartingOpen Cycle Map Bing Map
Elgin is on National Cycle Route 1 and has a number of local cycle routes. A new route from the east end of Elgin Cathedral follows the Lossie towards Lhanbryde - currently (September 2017) not shown on many maps, including the OS online map, but is shown on the Sustrans map - NCR1 has now been diverted onto this route. Elgin's (ELG) rail station has level access to both platforms (for Platform 2 use New Elgin Road bridge heading for Rothes (A941), right at roundabout into Edgar Road, then 1st right adjacent to Asda car park) and now has a new footbridge with lifts not shown on station plan as yet. Not frequent enough trains to Aberdeen & Inverness. Live train times: ELG SleepingPlaces I've used:
Belleville B&B 14 South College Street 01343 541515 Cowley B&B 23 Wittet Drive 01343 543185 The Lodge GH 20 Duff Avenue 01343 549981 @ West End GH 282 High Street 01343 549629 @ For other accommodation - see Undiscovered Scotland, Trip Advisor and B&B Directory Auchmillan GH 12 Reidhaven Street CLOSED - TRIBUTE PAGE EatingXoriatiki CLOSED - TRIBUTE PAGE
Ada Turkish Restaurant 29 South Street 01343 556464 Big improvement on Lido formerly at this address (see below). Good selection of Turkish food at reasonable prices. Not as good as the late lamented Xoriatiki, but that would be difficult to beat. Spice Tandoori 9a Moss Street 01343 540932 Average Indian Restaurant - have heard better reports recently (August 2017) The Muckle Cross (Wetherspoon) 34 High St 01343 559030 Lido 29 South Street CLOSED - see Ada above Didn't have sea bass I ordered, but duck was good - it was in November. No malts, no cider, limited beer, wine OK, so was tap water! Mezzo Bar and Eaterie Mayne Road 01343 540883 (see below) DrinkingThe Drouthy Cobbler 48a High Street 01343 553933
Opened in late Summer 2013 - in an alley off the eastern non-pedestrianised part of Elgin High Street. Without the advertising blackboard at the end of the alley, could easily be missed, which would be a shame, as it has some 150 single malts and real ale too. Good atmosphere. Now does meals. Also has a Facebook Page. The Mansefield Hotel Mayne Road 01343 540883 A wide range of Malt Whisky and other spirits, and a display of other bottles. The main bar is in the hotel at the rear of the complex, though the Mezzo Bar and Eaterie on the main road has a fairly substantial range of whiskies. CyclingBikes and Bowls 7 High Street 01343 549656
In 2008 - excellent service. Hobbled into Elgin, late in the afternoon, with several broken spokes acquired en route from Fraserburgh (no other bike shops on the way). I was amazed at the owner's offer to mend it later that evening after going home for his tea first! So I was back mobile much sooner than expected. They were also able to hire me a bike in November 2012 (despite not usually hiring bikes out of season) after my bike was stolen. Halfords Lossie Wynd N 01343 552030 Bikespokes Forres 07801 365710 @ Van based mobile servicing & repairs - normally 25 miles radius from Forres, but will travel further for an extra charge ShoppingRaining?? |
Photos on this page were taken by me. Click on photo to enlarge. Full size versions and my other pictures of Elgin are available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157629609465799