It is the “magic” of seeing familiar landmarks in a unusual setting.
Elgin residents are being invited to view their hometown as never before as an exhibition celebrating its past gets under way.
Historic images of the town are being displayed at Elgin Museum, using a Victorian style magic lantern projector.
The fascinating viewing sessions are carried out using glass slides embossed with recognisable local landmarks in centuries past.
The magic lantern displays are being staged in conjunction with the team behind a project designed to cast a light upon Elgin’s history.
The Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere initiative aims to showcase the town’s storied past by linking three of its most famed landmarks via a tourist trail.
Liz Trevethick, who works as project development officer at the Falconer Museum in Forres, is overseeing the magic lantern events.
She said: “The magic lantern was really a precursor to cinema and television, before moving pictures came along.
“They originally worked by candlelight, and then paraffin lamp – but the one we use is electric.
“People find it very interesting seeing places they are familiar with today in a completely different, historic context and this is an ideal way to share that.”
The Magic lantern viewing sessions focus on images captured between late Victorian times and the 1930s, and will take place between 11am and noon on Saturday and from 2.30pm to 3.30pm on Tuesday.
The display, which launched yesterday in the Gallery at Elgin Library, will run until next Thursday.
Historic images capturing Elgin High Street as it looked in years gone by offer residents a unique insight into the changing face of the town.
As well as dozens of photographs capturing Elgin’s past, a gothic black wedding dress dating back to the Victorian era and a range of ancient household gadgets are on view.
Research conducted by Elgin High School pupils into two of the town’s most famous sons – Dr Alexander Gray and General Andrew Anderson – is also available to read.
Yvonne Joss organised the exhibition on behalf of the Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere project.
She said: “We really just want to make our heritage accessible to everyone.”