Forres Heritage Trust

Over 40 volunteers who give up their time to help The Forres Heritage Trust run and maintain two of the town’s most historic buildings were treated to an afternoon celebration with a buffet to thank them for everything they do. The Trust has a team of just under 50 people who regularly help with welcoming tourists to both Nelson’s Tower and the Tolbooth, organising events, looking after the archives and sorting hundreds of photographs, and carrying out maintenance and cleaning work at the buildings. Both buildings open to the public from the start of April and the end of …

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 A sunset ceremony event at one of the town’s tourist attractions will mark the end of a busy season whilst also incorporating a celebration of the man it honours. Nelson’s Tower which is looked after by the Forres Heritage Trust will close to the public on the last weekend of September. To mark the occasion, a rare opportunity to access the historic monument at night is being offered along with a chance to celebrate Admiral Lord Nelson whose birthday falls on September 29, with a slice of birthday cake, some bubbly, a ship’s biscuit and a tot of grog. …

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As we mark Volunteers’ Week, the Forres Heritage Trust would like to extend its thanks to the dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and expertise to support our work throughout the year. Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Whether welcoming visitors, helping with events, assisting in the archive room, creating and running events, or renovating and looking after the Tolbooth and Nelson’s Tower.  Their enthusiasm and commitment help keep the history of thee buildings alive for locals and visitors alike, ensuring that our community’s past continues to be celebrated and understood by future generations. Volunteers’ Week …

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TWO of Forres’ most historic buildings will reopen to visitors at the end of this month just in time for the busy tourist season. Nelson’s Tower will open on Saturday, March 28 with entry by donation, and from the beginning of April the Tolbooth will be open on Fridays and Saturdays 10-12am for walk-in visits which will cost £5.00 for those aged 16 and over. The Tolbooth is owned by the Forres Heritage Trust which also looks after Nelson’s Tower on behalf of Moray Council. Nelson’s Tower, which was built by public subscription and opened in 1812, will be …

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Miniature replicas of Nelson’s Tower can now be purchased as a memento, thanks to the engineering skills of a volunteer. People visiting Nelson’s Tower will now be able to take home a 110mm high souvenir of the monument after Bill Graham, a trustee of the Forres Heritage Trust which looks after the Tower, started 3D printing them. Bill who has been involved with the Trust since it was founded in 2010 said: “It’s a very accurate replica of Nelson’s Tower. I just thought I would give it a go, and it’s come out pretty well, so we thought we …

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Two historic paintings which have been restored after a two-year project have been unveiled. ‘The Tournament’ and ‘The Riding of the Marches,’ painted in 1839/40 by Thomas Cranmer were unveiled in the Tolbooth Courtroom where both have been in situ for 185 years since just after the building was opened. Alex Ross, a volunteer with the Forres Heritage Trust led on the project and helped to raise the £25,000 needed to restore both landscapes. Speaking at the event which was attended by 45 people, Alex said: “Two years ago, the team of volunteers known as The Friday Gang, were …

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The Forres Heritage Trust is encouraging people to become volunteers to give visitors a friendly welcome. The FHT which owns the Tolbooth and looks after Nelson’s Tower needs more people to help when the buildings open to visitors at the end of March. The Trust stresses that the onus on volunteers is to be welcoming and that it’s not necessary to have a huge knowledge of the buildings’ history and heritage. To help encourage more people, they will be holding four drop-in sessions next month, where people can find out more about what is involved. Peter Haworth a trustee, …

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Members of an organisation which was created to promote interest in the life of Admiral Lord Nelson have visited Forres and a monument that was built in his honour. The members of the Nelson Society came to Forres last month and visited Nelson’s Tower which was erected after his death. The guests also visited the Tolbooth, located in the centre of Forres and Sueno’s stone. Nelson’s Tower is looked after by the Heritage Trust who hosted the visit. Peter Haworth, a trustee with the Forres Heritage Trust said: “The primary reason for the visit was to spend time at …

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Dresses which were donated to the Forres Heritage Trust have been given a new home in a west coast museum. The outfits were gifted to the Trust last year by Meg and John Mackenzie and in a fitting turn of events, they are now on display in Pool House in Poolewe which is a former Clan Mackenzie house. John and Meg are founding members of Forres Heritage Trust which was set up in 2010 and helped secure the purchase of the Tolbooth which the Trust now owns. The couple donated the dresses to the Trust with the hope they …

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The Forres Heritage Trust offers two historic experiences in Forres which both allow you to delve into the town’s past. Tour the Tolbooth Open the first Saturday of every month until September from 10am. ELEVEN tours available each day. If you would like to book a bespoke tour out with these dates, we will try and accommodate this, subject to tour guide availability. Please contact Trust Chairman, George Alexander on 07875 034220 who will endeavor to make a tour happen. To book online, click here. Delve in to the past when you visit one of Forres’ most historic buildings.Start …

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