Charles Grant of Wester Elchies (1788-1828) was the founder of "modern" Aberlour. He shared the ambition of other Highland landowners to introduce commerce and industry to the region, and to improve generally the life of its inhabitants. In 1812, as Laird of Elchies, he laid out an area of 100 two-acre plots (or feus) along the banks of the Spey, starting on the east side of the River Lour. These were rented out on generous terms to local people, who built cottages with stones taken from the bed of the River Spey. In the centre of his new town - called Charlestown of Aberlour, after his son - the Laird mapped out a spacious high street and square, around which he erected two public halls and an inn