Construction has concluded on Elgin's new Linkwood cemetery, creating a major burial site intended to serve the community for many years.

The 5.6-hectare cemetery, off Linkwood Road and Hallowood Road, was chosen through Moray Council's Local Development Plan as the most suitable successor to the existing Elgin Cemetery, which is close to capacity. The site is about the size of nearly eight football pitches.

Built by Pat Munro Ltd, the project delivers new internal access roads, parking, pedestrian pathways and extensive landscaping to ensure a peaceful, accessible and respectful setting.

Although works are complete, the cemetery will not open immediately. Grass has been sown across burial areas and time is required for it to establish and for the ground to settle naturally. A year-long establishment phase has been set to make sure the site is ready for visitors and can be used respectfully and sustainably for future burials.

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More than 1,000 trees, together with substantial shrub and wildflower planting, will enhance biodiversity across the grounds.

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 is expected to come into use by early 2027. At that point, the existing Elgin Cemetery will close to new burials, although coffin lairs with remaining capacity, and Muslim, infant and ashes burials, will continue there for several years.

Chair of Moray Council's Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee Cllr Marc Macrae said: "The completion of construction at Elgin's new cemetery marks a significant milestone for the community. This development ensures we have the capacity to meet future needs while providing a peaceful and dignified environment for families to remember their loved ones."