Elgin Cathedral, final grave stone hunt and Searchers concert - 21 May

Easy start to our day as we head off in beautiful sunshine to visit Elgin Cathedral. Few fun facts;

• begun in 1224, Elgin was the principal church of the bishops of Moray
• it was badly fire damaged in 1390 following an attack by Robert III's brother Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan
• it lost its roof shortly after the Protestant Reformation of 1560 and later its central tower fell
• the two towers of the West Front and the Chapter House remain intact
• the ceiling of the chapter house is considered to be one of Scotland's finest octagonal structures 
• there's a collection of more than 100 medieval stones on public display featuring carvings of expressive faces, flora and fauna (from lions to lizards).

Cathedral entry

Check out that blue sky!!

Ruins and grounds

Heraldic Stone 1500s

This carving represents Bishop Patrick Hepburn (1538-73), the last Catholic bishop of Moray. Hepburn was no model cleric. He fathered 13 children with at least five different mistresses and was criticised for his excessive wealth and worldly possessions. He died in 1573 and is buried in the cathedral!!

Carved stone head of a woman 1300s

This head embodies a change in medieval depictions of women. Church scholars had long regarded women with deep suspicion, some even calling them instruments of the Devil. In art, they were often portrayed as physically repulsive - symbolic of this suppose depravity. 

From the 1100s, the influence of courtly love and romantic poetry took some artists in another direction. Flawless beauties began to appear on the walls of churches and cathedrals - serene and free from sin. With her delicate symmetrical features this Elgin lady reflects this new image of women.

Chapter House ceiling

Situated at the heart of the cathedral, this octagonal room was an exclusive space where the canons gathered to hear readings, hold meetings and administer discipline. Light streamed in from all directions through colourful stained-glass windows, illuminating a wealth of carvings and painted decoration.

Back of cathedral and grounds no. 1

Back of cathedral and grounds no. 2

This is what the Cathedral looked like in its heyday!!

Another fantastic set of ruins visited and now we are off to find my GGGG! Fathers grave stone - Peter Clyne, Farmer - at the Old Aberdour Kirkyard Cemetery dated 1722. Sue has already found a photo someone else has posted so we are confident of finding it.

After a beautiful drive through winding meadows and one way roads, we find the cemetery near the ocean. Sadly though, after much searching and gentle scraping of head stones we do not find it. This, however is the cemetery he is buried in:

A little despondent, we continue our journey to Aberdeen for the night. Before our day ends, Sue has organised for us to see the 'Searchers' in concert. Admittedly a UK band I've never heard of, they were quite big in the 60's and toured Australia. This is 'supposedly' their 'Thank You' tour at the Tivoli Theatre in Aberdeen. Real quaint theatre that was 90 - 95 % full.

 

Not bad for a bunch of guys in their mid 70's, 80 and mid 80's (excluding the drummer who is very new and only in his 50's!!).

The end is getting near for me as we return the car tomorrow and head to Edinburgh for my final 3x nights 💖👀.