A scale model of one of the most iconic buildings in Moray has been created by 170 people as part of a celebration of its history.
Elgin Cathedral, which is 800 years old this year, is the subject of the rebuild using Lego bricks, and is part of a series of events being held to mark the building’s octocentenary.
Builders, whose ages ranged from 8 to 78, worked with sculptor Alistair Jelks, and the model includes gravestones and stained glass.
The scale model, which took around 22 hours to build between 8 and 11 August in Elgin Museum, is currently on display as an exhibit.
The (mostly) youngsters worked with photographs to match the design of the ruined building. The event was organised by the Leaning and Inclusion Team at Historic Environment Scotland, and supported by Elgin Museum as part of the Elgin800 celebrations.
Started in 1224, Elgin Cathedral was the principal church of the bishops of Moray. It was famously ransacked by the Wolf of Badenoch in 1390 and rebuilt even bigger 14 years later.
It lost its roof shortly after the Protestant Reformation of 1560, and later its central tower fell. But the cathedral’s fortunes began to change when it became a visitor attraction in the early 1800s.
Often referred to as the ‘Lantern of the North’, Elgin Cathedral was once richly carved and adorned with stained glass and painted decoration. It was once the second-biggest church in Scotland, and was the pride and joy of the Bishops of Moray.
The model can be viewed at Elgin Museum at 1 High Street, Elgin (possibly till the end of the season). Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 1pm to 4pm, free admission.
