The commitment to establish Elgin as a compelling visitor destination through the Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere initiatives will be further strengthened at a public meeting this week.

The meeting at the Gallery in Elgin library on Thursday, September 27 will see the lead consultants, LDN Architects, and project manager Andrew Wright report on progress with the feasibility study and present initial options for discussion.

The Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere initiative aims to energise Elgin as a compelling visitor destination through three key strands.

The first is a heritage experience, interpreting the rich history and buildings of the town, and telling the story of its people through time.


The second is the proposed restoration of Grant Lodge as a key orientation point for Elgin and Moray with modern exhibition area, archive/family history centre, registrars and visitor information service.

The third is a conservation area regeneration scheme upgrading the centre of Elgin to ensure its buildings, together with the heritage experience, can make a telling contribution to tourism in Moray.

Jim Royan, who chairs the partnership management group, said the public meeting was a key element in the consultation process.

"Working together we can establish Elgin and Moray as a compelling visitor destination," he said. "It's vital we get maximum public input in taking the proposals forward and this meeting is an important step in this process. Maximum community involvement will ensure we can get best possible solutions.

"The consultants have put in a great deal of effort in drawing up proposals that will stimulate discussion and future decisions and we look forward to constructive comments at this public meeting."

(CD)