22 April 2026
Elgin memorabilia auction raises funds for children’s ward
Items from several well-known Elgin buildings have been auctioned to support the children’s ward at Dr Gray’s Hospital, raising £2,000 to help improve care and patient experience.
Image:
Katherine MacKintosh (right) presenting a cheque to Senior Charge Nurse Karren Mirren (left), alongside Social Impact Manager Katy Cameron (far right), Unit Operational Manager Louise Pearson (third from right), and hospital staff.
The auction was inspired by the regeneration of South Street, where the former Jailhouse Nightclub, Junners Toy Shop and Newmarket Bar are part of a wider development to deliver affordable homes, an enterprise hub and retail units.
Before work started, a number of items were carefully removed and later auctioned by Robertson Property Ltd, part of Robertson Group.
The online auction, hosted by Rotary Elgin, featured a range of distinctive lots. These included a replica electric chair from the Jailhouse Nightclub, which sold for £215, and the Newmarket Bar sign, which fetched £444.
Vintage Apple iMacs, toy shop and bar signage, and whisky cask heads were also included, giving collectors and local residents the chance to own a piece of Elgin’s social history while supporting the children’s ward at the hospital.
Katherine Mackintosh, Managing Director – Regeneration, Robertson Property Ltd, said: “As a business founded in Elgin, we have supported Dr Gray’s Hospital for more than 30 years, and we are grateful to everyone who took part in the auction. These items hold strong memories for many people and will now find new homes while contributing to an important local service.
“The South Street regeneration will bring new opportunities and practical benefits to the town centre, and it is positive to see that impact starting to be felt through initiatives like this.”
Karren Mirren, Senior Charge Nurse, Dr Gray’s Hospital, said: “We have benefited from the support of Robertson Group over many years, and the money raised at this auction will help improve the environment for patients and staff, supporting the care and facilities we provide.
“Robertson Group has also supported decorating works in partnership with Hendersons, which has made a noticeable difference to the space.”
The children’s ward recently moved within the hospital, so Moray-based decorators Hendersons painted the new spaces at no cost, allowing the Archie Foundation to add graphics and carry out other improvements.
The South Street regeneration project is part of the Elgin City Centre Masterplan and is a partnership between Robertson Property Ltd, Moray Council, Moray Growth Deal and UHI Moray.
