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Provosts of Elgin

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The Provost of Elgin was the elected head of Elgin’s burgh council, serving as both chairperson and town figurehead.

Elgin Town Council was dissolved in 1975, with its responsibilities transferred to Moray District and Grampian Regional Councils.

Under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, only Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee have official Lord Provosts; other councils elect a provost or convener.

In the mid-19th century, Elgin declared itself a city, which would entitle its provost to the title “lord provost.”

However, Elgin’s city status was never formally recognized by the Lord Lyon or the Convention of Royal Burghs, though the council continued using the title regardless.

Several Douglases served as Provost:

1488 James Douglas
1521–1525 David Douglas of Pittendreich
1529–1530 William Douglas
1554-1557 Alexander Douglas
1559-1561 Alexander Douglas
1568-1569 Alexander Douglas
1574-1575 Alexander Douglas
1584-1585 James Douglas of Shutting Acres
1586-1587 James Douglas
1600-1601 James Douglas of Shutting Acres
1609-1610 James Douglas of Barflethills
1613-1615 James Douglas of Barflethills
1623-1631 Gavin Douglas of Shutting Acres
1643-1645 Gavin Douglas of Morristoun
1650-1653 John Douglas of Morristoun
1655-1658 John Douglas of Morristoun

Presumably a number of these are the same person appointed for another term.

See also:
• The Douglases of Elgin for comments on the above list

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Last modified: Sunday, 08 March 2026