A range of new additions to the heart of a Moray community were unveiled at the weekend during a Christmas extravaganza.
Three statues depicting Elgin’s heritage to create a trail through the town went on public display for the first time in a day of celebrations.
Meanwhile, hundreds of skaters enjoyed their first taste of an open-air rink on the Plainstones with the launch of the inaugural Ice Festival.
And when darkness fell, the side of the historic St Giles Church was illuminated with images of Moray residents to show the future heritage of the region.
The string of activities created a buzz in the town centre on Saturday, while shoppers eagerly hunted for last-minute gifts on the final weekend before Christmas.
Last night, the new statues were hailed as a “fantastic attraction” in the town centre, which would keep attracting crowds back throughout the year.
Jim Royan, chairman of the Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere project, said: “They are already creating a lot of interest – people want to see them and there’s something for everybody in them. There are the classical ones and the more unconventional, which I think’s important.”
He added: “It’s taken a long time to get here but it’s been worthwhile. The investment is for future generations, so that visitors will find the centre of Elgin a much more interesting place.”
The afternoon began with the sight of the Wolf of Badenoch raising a sword in victory being unmasked at the west end of the High Street.
Interested spectators then huddled around Vik Quickly’s quirky half-lion, half-mermaid Dandy Lion sculpture on the Plainstones.
Drummer Owen Thomson, 12, and town crier Ken Smith, both dressed up in period costumes, and then headed the procession to the final statue at the east end of the High Street.
Owen looked on, as the drummer boy sculpture, which was revealed from underneath the cloth, bore a striking resemblance to himself.
Throughout the afternoon, hundreds of shoppers bought food and gifts at street stalls and took tentative steps onto the rink for the first Elgin Ice Festival.
Event director Jon Behari has been overwhelmed with skaters eager to demonstrate their skills in the town centre.
He said: “It’s been tremendous so far. All the sessions sold out on Saturday so everyone has really taken to it.
“There are lights set up for the evening sessions which changes the ambience of it dramatically. Everything gets lit up, it’s really spectacular.
“People have booked to come in on Christmas Day too. It’s something that has never been done in Elgin before, so it is a bit special.”
The launch event of the festival was cancelled on Friday evening due to late-arriving equipment. Organisers are now planning a closing gala on Saturday, January 7.
Mr Behari said: “We had something really special planned and we still want to do it.”
