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Elgin - 'The Prospect of the House and Town of Elgine'
The River Lossie winds its way around Elgin – or Elgine – in Slezer's prospect, looking towards the town from the north.
Elgin was made a Royal Burgh by David I in 1136. The hill in the background on the right is Lady Hill, which was once the site of Elgin Castle. This may have been the castle where King Duncan died in 1040 after his defeat by Macbeth. The site of their battle is about a mile north of present-day Elgin.
Further left in the centre is St Giles' Church, while the ruins of the Cathedral are on the far left. In 1645, the town had been attacked by the Royalist army of the Duke of Montrose.
Image from Theatrum Scotiae by John Slezer, 1693.
To the Right Honourable the Earl of Elgin and Ailsbury, Viscount Bruce of Ampthill, Baron Bruce of Kinlos, Wharton and Skelton, &c.
A Town in the Shire of Murray, situated on a pleasant Plain. It is the Bishop's Seat, and the head Town of that Sheriffdom. Upon a sandy Hill to the East of the Town are to be seen the Ruins of an old Castle. It had a Cathedral Church of admirable Structure, as appears by the Walls and Ruins which are yet extant.
It gives the Title of Earl of Elgin to the Family of Ailsbury, in England.
