Elgin will be saying it with flowers as it welcomes a party of 42 visitors from its twin town of Landshut in Germany.

Once again, Moray College has laid out a flower bed at its Moray Street campus featuring the Bavarian city's coat of arms.

The visitors arrive on Thursday evening (August 21) and are being hosted by people in Elgin and the surrounding area, renewing old friendships and making new ones.

Elgin's twinning dates back to 1956, making it one of the oldest anywhere, and it continues to go from strength to strength.

Lorna Paterson, chairman of the Elgin-Landshut Twin Town Association, hopes that people who meet the Landshuters in the shops and restaurants will make them feel very welcome during their stay.

Looking forward to next week's arrival, she said: "It is very pleasing that this year, about 14 of the party are under 25, and some of them are being hosted by families of Elgin Academy pupils.

"The young Landshuters will have the opportunity of spending a day at Elgin Academy. School exchanges have already been organised for this autumn."

Their visit starts with a reception at Moray Council's headquarters, a tour of Elgin and a welcome dinner at the Mansion House Hotel in Elgin, with Moray MSP Richard Lochhead the guest speaker.

The rest of the programme includes trips to Macduff Aquarium, Leith Hall, Glenfiddich Distillery via the Keith and Dufftown Railway, two nights on Skye and dolphin-watching on the Moray Firth.

A farewell party and ceilidh dance will be held at the Eight Acres Hotel on Saturday, August 30, with the party departing the following morning.

e.green@northern-scot.co.uk

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