Spynie Palace and Elgin Cathedral


Spynie Palace and Elgin Cathedral June 16, 2000

Spynie Palace was the residence of the Bishops of Moray from the late 12th Century until 1689 when the episcopacy was abolished. The palace must have been quite a place to live for the clergy. The palace used to be above a fishing village and active port, but since the loch was drained many years ago, the structure is now surrounded by farmland. Again, we were the only visitors at this site. The young woman who was working at the entrance gate seemed thrilled to have some customers.

Around 1224, the Bishop of Moray moved the cathedral from Spynie to Elgin and the cathedral served as the center of the Diocese of Moray until the Reformation of 1560. Even in ruins, the cathedral is impressive and is considered one Scotlands greatest medieval buildings.

In a interesting example of the conflict between church and state, the Elgin Cathedral was destroyed in 1390 by the "Wolf of Badenoch" who was the Earl of Buchan and son of King Robert II. The "Wolf" was upset that the Bishop had stopped paying him for protection.

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