A PROMINENT Forres tourist attraction is once again open with new interactive features and a new look.
In time for the summer holidays, the Forres Tolbooth is open again for tours after the building’s clockfaces, and mechanism were renovated.
In addition to the clockface restoration, people visiting the attraction will also be able to enjoy an intricate model of the Forres Railway Station.
The model was originally made by Forres Heritage Trust volunteer Ross Dalziel and had been on show behind glass in the actual station. It was salvaged by the Trust when the station was demolished and has since been restored by John Tweddle and Tom Logie, with Mr Dalziel’s help.
The Tolbooth first opened for tours in 2022. Visitors start their journey in the old police office where they can play prisoner and see what life was like in the cells. There’s also a chance to have their fingerprints taken, view the rogues’ gallery and have their picture taken up against the ‘mugshot wall.’
The visit then continues through the back corridors of the building where they can view the model railway and then head onto the historic court room and onwards to the newly renovated clocktower for views across the town of Forres.
George Alexander, Chairman of the Forres Heritage Trust which owns the Tolbooth said: “We are delighted to be reopening the Forres Tolbooth and the works that have been ongoing are the joint effort from a number of our dedicated volunteers.
“The clockfaces are looking spectacular and this part of the renovation has been handled by trustee Bob James who was also a key player in our recent lighting project which saw the Tolbooth and Nelson’s tower being lit up. The clockfaces had lost their special reflective backing and become transparent in places, the bezels required cleaning and painting and one clock face was cracked right across but now they look absolutely sensational.
“Another Trustee has also worked on the old clock mechanism, even making a 3D printed drive mechanism which people can operate themselves.”
George added: “The Tolbooth tour is really very interesting and is appealing to all ages. We have tried to make it as interactive as possible and people visiting will now also be able to enjoy the model of the previous railway station.”
The Forres Heritage Trust also looks after Nelson’s Tower which is open daily from 2-4pm until the end of September and offers uninterrupted views across the Moray countryside and out to Findhorn and beyond.
Peter Haworth, who organises the volunteers for the Tower which was built as a memorial to Admiral Lord Nelson, said: “We have been welcoming visitors from all over the world and whilst the weather has not been kind, all of our volunteers have enjoyed meeting and greeting people and showing them the historic Tower. There are two beautiful rooms, one which focuses on Lord Nelson himself and the other which features information about Forres, then of course, once you get to the top of the Tower, you are greeted by those stunning views.”
To book a tour of the Tolbooth email: FHTTolboothTours@outlook.com