Elgin Cathedral
Elgin Cathedral
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Elgin Cathedral, also known as the ‘Lantern of the North’ is a majestic, historic ruin situated in Elgin. Elgin Cathedral is one of Scotland’s most beautiful medieval buildings, dating back to the 13th century. Elgin Cathedral has a rich history - it was badly fire damaged in 1390 following an attack by Robert III's brother Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, who was also known as the ‘Wolf of Badenoch’. The two towers of the West Front and the Chapter House are intact and open to the public and the climb is rewarded with magnificent views of the town of Elgin. The top of the tower has an open viewing platform with information boards highlighting the visible landmarks.
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4.5
863 reviews
Excellent
513
Very good
276
Average
57
Poor
10
Terrible
7
Colin W
Strathblane, UK10 contributions
Jul 2021
Disappointed we had to book in advance which we'd not done. Guy at the entrance couldn't book us in and we did not want to pay by phone so didn't enter and merely walked around the perimeter of the site. It was raining and very quiet so we could easily have gone onto the site. Facility needs to be more flexible.
Written 31 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vidya J
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Family
AWFUL, quite a yawn, daylight robbery as £26 were paid for something I could have seen in 30 seconds from the outside. There is absolutely nothing intruiging or enticing about it, even the original inhabitants must have been bored of seeing it every day. 0/10 recommend
Written 29 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AJFfinch
Shropshire, UK107 contributions
Sept 2021
It was a grey, drizzly Saturday. We looked through the railings at Elgin Cathedral and no visitors could be seen.
We went to pay for admission. “Have you booked online” asked the jobs worth. “No? Then you’ll have to go outside, use the QR code, check availability and book online”.
Underwhelmed by the welcome we explained that we probably couldn’t cope with the possible disappointment of finding out that he was fully booked and so we went to spend our £18 elsewhere.
What a contrast to Melrose Abbey and Dundrennan Abbey where the welcome and enthusiasm of the staff were a delight!
We went to pay for admission. “Have you booked online” asked the jobs worth. “No? Then you’ll have to go outside, use the QR code, check availability and book online”.
Underwhelmed by the welcome we explained that we probably couldn’t cope with the possible disappointment of finding out that he was fully booked and so we went to spend our £18 elsewhere.
What a contrast to Melrose Abbey and Dundrennan Abbey where the welcome and enthusiasm of the staff were a delight!
Written 27 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
victoria B
Lincolnshire, UK587 contributions
Sept 2021
Parking is on the street as there is no car park, but there are toilets and a small shop at the entrance to the Cathedral.
Although mostly ruined, there is a display of medieval stonework in the roofed part near the entrance. The exhibits are very well presented with excellent lighting, which not only shows up the beauty of the pieces but also means they photograph well.
The ruined nave contains the graves of long gone bishops, topped with their effigies dressed in armour. The graveyard contains some elaborately carved memorials, as well as long forgotten family plots.
The ruins themselves consist of intricate stonework with dramatic architectural features hinting at the former grandeur of the Cathedral.
Although mostly ruined, there is a display of medieval stonework in the roofed part near the entrance. The exhibits are very well presented with excellent lighting, which not only shows up the beauty of the pieces but also means they photograph well.
The ruined nave contains the graves of long gone bishops, topped with their effigies dressed in armour. The graveyard contains some elaborately carved memorials, as well as long forgotten family plots.
The ruins themselves consist of intricate stonework with dramatic architectural features hinting at the former grandeur of the Cathedral.
Written 10 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,490 contributions
May 2022
This ruin of Elgin Cathedral must be one of the more magnificent ruins in Scotland. Although much of the structure is gone, the double towers of the west entrance, the chapter house and the back wall of the altar are largely intact, and look amazing. The fan vault in the chapter house is beautiful. The aforementioned towers house exhibitions of the preserved carvings with excellent information on the different types used. You can also climb up to the first floor of the towers where the exhibition continues and there’s a terrace connecting the two towers with fantastic views of the chapter house, nave and inner sanctum..
Written 12 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolineWR
U.K.282 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Very photogenic, atmospheric ruined cathedral with a couple of towers still standing. Great views from the top & excellent exhibitions in the 2 ground floor sections. Particularly enjoyed stonemasons' very rude depiction of Bishop Columba Dunbar! Plenty of street parking right outside. Several information boards & a very good introductory talk from the lady on the ticket desk (Historic Environment Scotland staff seem to make this a regular practice), though a long queue built up behind us whilst she was helpfully talking to us... Some great history/legends & works well with terrific Spynie Palace nearby.
Written 1 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmyEG3318
Toronto, Canada180 contributions
Mar 2023
The site is incredible to visit. Sadly, it's mostly in ruins, but the towers and the chapter house are still standing and open to tourists. The towers are accessed by a narrow spiral staircase, but I found that it wasn't too terrible a climb up to the first floor display. My husband walked up to the next floor and reported that it was a much longer trek up to that level (the observation platform was closed when we visited, so he didn't go up all the way to the top). There are hundreds of gravestones surrounding the cathedral, which are interesting to walk through - some with beautiful carvings/sculptures. My favourite part was the Chapter House, which has a beautiful ceiling and huge paned windows. It was a very peaceful place to visit. Don't miss the exhibit on the ground floor of the towers - especially the effigy of Bishop Archibald, which they light up to show how it was painted with bright colours centuries ago.
Written 27 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FynnNorthYorkshire
North Yorkshire84 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
When we arrived we were greeted by a very helpful, knowledgeable lady who outlined the history of the cathedral and things to look out for, such as the tallest gravestone and where to find remnants of paintings of angles.
The ruined abbey is very impressive. Large parts of it are still intact and you can walk up the two towers via stone spiral staircases. The information boards and exhibits are well presented and interesting. Not too 'dry'.
Some of the ruins are currently covered in scaffolding, but this did not spoil our visit as most areas were still accessible.
The ruined abbey is very impressive. Large parts of it are still intact and you can walk up the two towers via stone spiral staircases. The information boards and exhibits are well presented and interesting. Not too 'dry'.
Some of the ruins are currently covered in scaffolding, but this did not spoil our visit as most areas were still accessible.
Written 1 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rdubbs08
Edmond, OK7,855 contributions
Apr 2022
The Cathedral has an interesting history and makes for neat ruins in the heart of Elgin. Our guide stopped so we could walk the perimeter on a Sunday morning before getting us to the train station. You can purchase a ticket and enter the grounds - we just enjoyed a walk around the outside!
Written 2 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grant Clarke
Doncaster, UK5 contributions
Aug 2022
My girlfriend and I visited Elgin Cathedral today and what an absolute delight it was. Not only are the beautiful ruins kept in such fantastic condition, but the questions raised in the descriptions and information presented lead to more stimulating thoughts than presented fact. A big thank you to Kati in the information centre for some fascinating history of not only the Cathedral but also of the surrounding area.
A great kick start to such important, sacred and historical monuments and areas in and around Elgin.
Superb.
A great kick start to such important, sacred and historical monuments and areas in and around Elgin.
Superb.
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi folks, I am driving here. I saw these parking along the edge of the street on google map and wonder if parking fee/ permit is needed. thank you.
Written 19 April 2019
In the immediate vicinity of the cathedral there's ample on-street free parking. There's also free parking in the adjacent Cooper Park.
Written 22 April 2019
What are visiting hours of Elgin Cathedral? Is there an audio-tour and how might I book a guided tour with Cathedral / Museum staff or local historian? Not interested in a Viator tour. Thanks.
Written 14 January 2018
Do I need to book before hand and is it free with Scottish Heritage Pass?
Written 19 September 2015
Hello. You do not need to book before visiting, but we do recommend that you check for closures before setting off. This can be done on our website, by calling the site or by checking #hsclosures on Twitter.
Regarding the Scottish Heritage Pass, Elgin Cathedral is included in the sites that you can visit with this. A booklet is provided with the Pass, either in paper form, or online. This will provide you with additional information on the sites that you can visit.
Written 21 September 2015
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