Elgin Cathedral

Elgin's first cathedral (13th C) was proudly described by the then bishop as "the glory of the kingdom, the delight of foreigners", but in 1390 the town was destroyed by Alexander Stewart "the Wolf of Badenoch" in an act of revenge for his excommunication. More damage was inflicted later on by the plundering supporters of John Knox and the troops of Oliver Cromwell. Now only the remains of the Elgin Cathedral tower show the one-time splendor of the 314ft/96m long "Lantern of the North" as the church in King Street used to be known. The west facade designed in French style, the choir with its Early Gothic lancet windows (c 1270), the great east rose window ("Omega Window") and the octagonal chapterhouse with its fine stonework (c 1390) are the most striking features of what remains.