Abstract.
When reading early charters relating to the Royal Burgh of Elgin in Moray, the student will often encounter references to certain haughlands bearing names that do not resemble any of those encountered on modern maps, e.g. Auchterspynie, Medilhalch, and Frankoklaw.
This article describes and locates them on a modern street map of Elgin. It also seeks to illustrate some of the history associated with these lands, both from the medieval Registrum Episcopatus Moraviensis, the Register of the Great Seal and other royal records, and the two volumes of The Records of Elgin, the latter being mostly a collection of the Burgh and Parish records from after the Reformation.
The Haughlands are an important part of the life of the Burgh. Some of the extracts quoted here reveal a considerable royal interest in Elgin, as well as allowing us glimpses of the life led by the inhabitants at various times.
Reference to the contents of this article will allow academics to avoid some of the 'geographical' errors made by a number of their colleagues in the past when translating early charters.
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QGis (.gis) VERSION OF HAUGHLANDS MAP
