Banking on Us
Similar to Elchies House which formerly stood on the site of the Caledonian Bank (which currently houses one of our serviced business centres) at the west end of the High Street, the 17th Century ‘Braco Banking House’ became home to a well-to-do family, the Duffs, who started the lucrative business of lending money to estate […]
Sophistication Comes to Elgin
There are still many families who will remember visiting the very stylish Park House Hotel & Restaurant at some point in their lives … that includes one of our team here at Gairland. Coming from a busy farming background, eating out was definitely not a regular occurrence for the family in the 1970s, but she […]
A Touch of Italian Style
With industrialisation, the growth of a decent railway network and busy sea trading with Europe and the rest of the country, Moray experienced a boom period during the 19th Century with a strong focus on urban development. The medieval settlement of Elgin was fast becoming a much bigger conurbation, spreading over to the once separate […]
Homes to the Gentry
Moray was prospering in the early 19th Century with wealthy landowners and merchants choosing to build prestigious homes slightly out of the town centre, where the increase in banks, shops and hostelries did not constitute a peaceful way of life. The back closes remained home to poorer families trying to make a living as best […]
Early Entrepreneurship in Moray
Throughout history, Moray has stimulated a strong sense of entrepreneurship and innovation. People often made their living working for family businesses, many of which were established as a result of Moray’s fertile agricultural land … from food, drink and textiles, Moray has been a manufacturing powerhouse for centuries, with Elgin becoming a strong focal point. […]
If Only These Walls Could Talk
How often have we heard ourselves say ‘If only these walls could talk ….’? It’s great when we come across local stories of Elgin life in a bygone age. Caledonian House Business Centre in Elgin’s High Street gets its name from once being a branch of the Caledonian Bank as well as the prestigious residence […]