Moray (pop. 93,293) is a local government area on the southern side of the Moray Firth, in northeastern Scotland. It is a council area, the primary form of local government in Scotland. Most of the population of the area is located in the coastal region.
The main industries of Moray’s coastal towns are fishing, tourism, light industry, and textile milling. Inland, forestry is important, and farmers raise cattle barley, oats, grasses, and root crops. The barley is sold to whiskey distilleries in the towns of Elgin and Forres.
Elgin Cathedral, now in ruins, was founded in 1224. Nearby Pluscarden Abbey was founded in 1230. Near Forres stands Sweno’s Stone, a sandstone pillar with carved figures, and the Witches’ Stone, which marks the place where people suspected of witchcraft were burned.
