Elchies

This is, possibly, one of the least known of the medieval parishes in the diocese of Moray. It was comprised of the lands of Easter Elchies and Wester Elchies.

The parish of Elchies is said to have been united with the parish of Knockando during the regency of the Earl of Morton (c.1566). They were again disjoined during the return of Episcopacy (for 16 years) before being united once more at the time of the 'Revolution'.¹
There is evidence from the Grant Charter Chest that, for a period of time around 1607, Elchies and Aberlour were served by the same vicar.²

Easter Elchies was a barony which, for many years, was the property of a succession of members of the Grant family. Wester Elchies was also a barony with long-standing links with the Grant family. Both baronies were part of the secular Lordship of Strathspey which was held by successive bishops of Moray.

From a very early date, (c.1222), Elchies, along with Botary, a parish on the other side of the River Spey, formed one of the very earliest prebends of the Cathedral at Elgin. In a charter dated to 1226, Bishop Andrew de Moravia confirmed this parish (with Botary) as being one of the eight prebends founded by his predecessor, Bishop Bricius (1203-1222).³

The Kirk of Elchies became ruinous about 1760 and only vestiges remain situated amongst the buildings of 'the Macallan' distillery {NGR: NJ 279443} , however, the churchyard seems still to be used occasionally and the grounds are very well maintained, as are those of the distillery itself.

Alasdair Ross wrote that, "It is clear that the original parish of Elchies was composed of four dabaichean and that the Burn of Balintomb, at the west end of the parish, was the old march boundary between Elchies and Knockando".⁴

Certain 'authorities' have a particular aversion to calling this church the Church of Elchies, prefering to use the name of 'Macallan'. This curious, and completely unhistorical practice, is clung to like a drowning man clings to flotsam. Even the Government's own employees at Scottish National Heritage refuse to accept the volumes of historical evidence which are available to them, including even primary sources such as the Registrum Episcopatus Moraviensis, insisting that because it is called the Church of Macallan on the 1870 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map,⁵ then that is the name that they have chosen to use henceforward - everywhere! Having spent a considerable number of hours and days immersed in these sources, I must report that I have yet to find one single, solitary, example of this church being called the Church of Macallan in the medieval period!

The Porters Croft referred to in the table above relates to the "Ferry Cowbill" (Ferry Cobble) found in certain sources. It would appear to be a piece of land, probably with a dwelling, used by the ferryman. This ferry-boat is known to have existed here from olden times taking passengers across the River Spey from Elchies to Aberlour. On the OS Map of 1905⁷ the ferry is marked crossing the Miller's or Fisherton Pool on the Spey, just downstream of the Mill of Elchies {NGR: NJ 278440} .
The next crossing downstream was the Boat of Fiddich just above Dandaleith {NGR: NJ 292453} about 8km away but, importantly, on the opposite side of the treacherous River Fiddich, so of little use to anyone who wished to pass from Elchies to Aberlour. It was this Boat of Fiddich crossing that was used by many of King Edward's troops on their march south from Elgin, on Monday 30 July 1296.⁸ Upstream, the next crossing was the ford and ferry which crossed the Boat Pool on the river just upstream of the Victoria Suspension Bridge, in Aberlour itself {NGR: NJ 262429}. On the north bank of the river at this point was Boat-town and the path onwards led to the Wester Elchies estate.

Other Churches and Chapels in the parish .

None known.

Parish Clergy :