Page "Elgin, Moray" Paragraph 6

In August 1370 Alexander Bur, Bishop of Moray began payments to Alexander Stewart, Wolf of Badenoch, King Robert III's brother, for the protection of his lands and men.

In February 1390, the bishop then turned to Thomas Dunbar, son of the Earl of Moray, to provide the protection.

This action infuriated Stewart and in May he descended from his castle on an island in Lochindorb and burned the town of Forres in revenge.

In June he burned much of Elgin, including two monasteries, St Giles Church, the Hospital of Maison Dieu and the cathedral.

Andrew of Wyntoun's Orygynale Cronykil of Scotland ( a 15th century history of Scotland ) described this action by " wyld, wykked Heland-men ".

The rebuilding of the cathedral took many years ; but much of it has since crumbled away due to the inferior quality of the stone made available to the 15th and 16th century masons, while the 13th century construction still remains.

In 1506, the great central tower collapsed and although rebuilding work began the next year it was not completed till 1538.