The Forres Heritage Trust is going virtual to ensure it still has a role in Doors Open Day which will take place online this weekend.
Doors Open Days is a Scotland-wide event run throughout September and usually buildings open their doors to the public.
However, this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event is going online and the Trust was delighted to work with local film company Flying Mirrors to create three tours.
The short films will feature Trustees doing tours of Nelson’s Tower, the Tolbooth and its ongoing clock tower project, and the Tolbooth police office and cells project which has yet to be opened to the public.
The films will be promoted on the Trust website and scheduled to run as via the Facebook page during Sep 19.
Trust chairman George Alexander said: “We are delighted that we are able to still take part in Doors Open Day as it has always been a very popular event for the Trust.
“In 2019, we reported the best ever footfall to the monuments in eight years and whilst we are sad that things have been very different this year, and we have been unable to welcome locals and tourists alike into the buildings, doing a virtual doors open day still enables us to shine a spotlight not only on the wonderful history and stories these buildings hold, but also the great amount of work that goes into the upkeep of the buildings by our Trustees.”
He added: “We are also hoping that the films may be of interest from Forres folk who have maybe moved away, so there are some advantages of being able to do something online.
“Taking part in the films was something new for us, but we have seen making the short tour films as an investment as we will be able to use them to market the buildings at other times as well.
“We were delighted that our Trustees agreed to get involved and thank the three ‘tour guides’ who were happy to appear in front of the camera.”
The Tours
Nelson’s Tower
Standing high on Cluny Hill, Nelson’s Tower looks down, with some presence, over Forres. And just because the building is closed right now, the Forres Heritage Trust which looks after the monument wanted to ensure that you can still get a chance to take in the stunning view from the top of the tower in the virtual tour.
Learn about how and why Nelson’s Tower was erected as a memorial to Admiral Lord Nelson. Get a look into each of the Tower’s rooms before emerging from the staircase to that breath-taking landscape.
Delve into its history in a virtual tour led by Trustee David MacFarquhar.
The tour will be shown on the Forres Heritage Trust Facebook page and here on the website at 10am.
Forres Tolbooth – Two virtual tours
Built in 1838/39 on the site of the existing Tolbooth which has been in existence for over 800 years.
Looked after by the Forres Heritage Trust, the main features at the Tolbooth include historic paintings, a recently renovated court room, a police office and cells and the latest project which is underway is the renovation of the historic clock tower which will become a tourist attraction where visitors will be able to access the walkway around the clock face giving way to stunning views across the town of Forres.
Join two virtual tours of the Tolbooth on Doors Open Day.
Become a virtual criminal: Get a glimpse into the police office and cells tour led by Trustee Sandra MacIver. This tour has not yet opened to the public so this is your chance to get a first look at this exciting piece of Forres’ history. Ideal for kids!
4pm via the Forres Heritage Trust Facebook page and website
Tour the Tolbooth: Led by Trust chairman George Alexander, you can sit back and relax whilst George takes you off the High Street to show you around the wonders of this historic building which stands proud in the centre of Forres.
18.30 via the Forres Heritage Facebook page and website