Amateur writers across Moray have been urged to uncork their imaginations as part of a short story contest celebrating the colourful past of its biggest town.
The team behind a historical trail project aimed at linking three of Elgin’s most legendary landmarks have encouraged residents young and old to seek inspiration from unusual sources for the competition.
The winning entrant will receive £350, and their story will be used to help promote the town as a destination spot for tourists keen to sample areas of historic interest.
Chairman of the Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere project, Jim Royan, said his imagination had been fired by a common household item, and urged aspiring writers to be open to creative motivation wherever they could find it.
A friend who was aware of Mr Royan’s involvement in the project gifted him a glass bottle dating back to the 19th century, and it sent his mind wandering on how it had spent the past 200 years.
Mr Royan said: “When I was given the bottle it struck me that anything could trigger an idea for a story.
“It was made in the 1800s by the G Sutherland firm in Elgin, but there is some intrigue as to where it was sold and who bought it.
“This is about getting people to think about Elgin’s history, and I want them to allow their imaginations to run riot.”
The writing contest was launched during the Spirit of Moray book festival last September, but entrants have until the end of May to send in their short stories.
The tales must be no longer than 3,000 words and previously unpublished.
Stories are to focus on Elgin and the surrounding area during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Organisers anticipate sinister accounts about Elgin’s Tolbooth prison, which opened in 1715, and the smugglers who roamed the region’s coastline centuries ago.
And 19th century events like the establishment of Dr Gray’s Hospital have also been suggested as sources of inspiration.
Mr Royan added: “This is for anyone and everyone, and it could act as a nursery for new writers.”
The competition is being held in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Elgin, and the winner will be announced at the
Spirit of Moray book festival this September.