Elgin Cathedral, Scotland

A bird's eye view of the grounds of Elgin Cathedral in Elgin, Scotland. Our motorhome is parked on the lower left edge of the photo where free parking was available on the street for cathedral visitors. Elgin is the northernmost point we travelled in Scotland. As it was late fall, most camping parks north of here were closed for the season.

This cathedral ruin dates back to the 1200s. This view from one of its towers shows off many of the gravesites and a few arches with the town of Elgin in the background. 

The grounds are impeccably kept, and the atmosphere feels sacred and contemplative. Brian is reading grave markers in the photo below. One can only imagine the stained glass colors of the windows.

Although many are broken off their original mountings, the numerous,  varied, and well-preserved medieval stone carvings are one of the reasons Elgin Cathedral is historically important and delightful to explore. 

Displayed in the towers, the carved stone collection is remarkable; we had seen nothing quite like it. 

One of the carvings, a lamb with wavy wool. The worried look on the lamb's face reminded me of the suffering of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was crucified. The Lamb of God sacrificed to pay for our sins.

As we departed Elgin Cathedral and walked across the street, I realized that we had parked next to the Biblical Garden connected with the cathedral. It was November, so it was closed. But I was able to peek through the gate to see the garden in its winter slumber. 

A sign indicates that it opened in 1996 and is the first biblical garden in Scotland. The statuary depicts biblical stories, and the 110 types of plants mentioned in the Bible can be found along the garden's paths designed in the shape of a Celtic cross. I would love to return in the summertime!