Moray Council completes construction on Elgin's new cemetery

Construction has been completed on Elgin’s new Linkwood cemetery, creating a major new site that will provide long-term burial space for the area. 

The 5.6-hectare site, located off Linkwood Road and Hallowood Road, was identified through Moray Council’s Local Development Plan as the most suitable replacement for the existing cemetery, which is nearing capacity. The new site is roughly equivalent in size to almost eight football pitches. 

Delivered by Pat Munro Ltd, the development includes new internal access roads, parking, pedestrian pathways and extensive landscaping to create a peaceful, accessible and respectful setting. 

Although construction work is now complete, the cemetery will not open straight away. Grass has been sown across the burial sections and time is needed for it to establish and for the ground to settle naturally. This year-long establishment period will help ensure the site is ready to welcome visitors and can be used respectfully and sustainably for future burials. 

As part of the project, more than 1,000 trees will be planted, along with extensive shrubs and wildflowers, helping to enhance biodiversity across the site. 

The contractor will remain on site until December 2026 to oversee a 12-month maintenance period, monitoring and caring for the newly landscaped and grassed areas to ensure they establish successfully. 

Linkwood cemetery will be in use by early 2027, and when that happens, the existing Elgin Cemetery will close to new burials. However, coffin lairs with remaining burial capacity at the existing cemetery, along with Muslim, infant and ashes burials will continue to take place there for several years to come.