One of Elgin’s most violent days was acted out at the weekend as the town was transported back to medieval times.
Thousands surrounded the ring in Cooper Park on Saturday and Sunday to watch as Alexander Stewart, better known as the Wolf of Badenoch, advanced on the cathedral.
Children booed the villain as he defeated Bishop Bur’s forces in the Sword, Fire and Stone re-enactment event.
Ball and chains, axes and swords were used in spectacular battle scenes between opposing forces set in fraught times at the end of the 14th Century.
John Lyons portrayed one of Elgin’s most infamous figures as he donned chain mail to play the part of the Wolf of Badenoch in front of the crowd.
He said: “It’s fantastic to do these and bring history to life. Not everyone will know the history behind these events so it’s good to bring it to them.”
After the final battle scene, which resulted in the cathedral being burned, spectators voted for which fate should befall the Wolf – with the majority deciding he should be dragged into hell for ruining Elgin’s historic cathedral.
Outside of the ring children got a taste of medieval battle themselves with cardboard swords and shields with an archery display also set up.
Tents pitched in the park to resemble a medieval village housed themes so youngsters could immerse themselves in the time period – with many putting themselves in the dock to get a taste of what torture and punishment was like 600 years ago.
More than 40 history enthusiasts from Reenactment Events Scotland set up camp in Elgin for the weekend to put on the event, which was organised by the Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere project.
About 2,000 were estimated to have attended the final battle scene on Saturday. Organisers described Sunday as busier with the better weather encouraging more to the park.
Sue Lyons, who walked around the park with no shoes as she played a peasant, said: “We try, as much as we can, to demonstrate authentic aspects from the medieval times.
“There are some things that it just isn’t possible or practical to show but we find that it gives people a more true understanding.”
