Forres Heritage Trust – Page 5 – Forres Heritage Trust

Stairs project to clocktower ticks along

June 4, 2020

New stairs which will give access to the walkway around the clocktower at the Tolbooth could be installed by the end of June. It is hoped that the development will become a visitor attraction with the opening of the walkway providing views across the town. AJ Engineering has designed the stairway and fabrication is underway. Graham Alexander, general manager of AJE said: “It’s all drawn up and the fabrication of the stairway is about to start. Depending on the government restrictions regarding essential work, we hope that we will be able to have the stairs installed by the end …

FHT event cancellations

March 21, 2020

Nelson’s Tower will not re-open as planned next month, but custodians of the building are still encouraging people to enjoy its environs whilst they can. The opening of Nelson’s Tower which was due to take place on April 3 will now be postponed until further notice following UK Government advice that all non-essential contact and travel should be prevented. The Tower is looked after by the Forres Heritage Trust and other events the Trust had planned have also had to be put on a backburner. George Alexander, chairman of the Trust which also owns the Tolbooth explained: “The decision …

Get fit and volunteer for FHT

February 25, 2020

Exercise and meeting people from around the globe are just two of the reasons to volunteer at one of the town’s most historical buildings, it has been said. The Forres Heritage Trust looks after the opening of Nelson’s Tower between April and September which last year welcomed over 3302 visitors from 54 different countries. And the Trust is now appealing for more people to come forward and get involved with an open evening, to find out more being held in March. Grace Reid, one of a team of 12 trustees who look after the Tower and the Forres Tolbooth …

Whisky event sells out in 24 hours

February 25, 2020

A CHARITY whisky tasting to be hosted by a Forres man who travels the globe representing one of the world’s most awarded single malt whisky has sold out in less than 24 hours. Struan Grant Ralph, global brand ambassador for Glenfiddich will present the event for the Forres Heritage Trust as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. And all proceeds from the event, which will take place on April 30, will be donated to the Trust which looks after the upkeep of the Tolbooth and ensures Nelson’s Tower opens each year as a visitor attraction. Struan, a …

Historic feature could clock up tourist visits

January 27, 2020

PLANS are in place to turn a historic Moray landmark into a tourist attraction. If given the green light, visitors to the Tolbooth situated in the centre of Forres High Street will be able to access an external walkway around the old clock tower, giving them views over the town and surrounding area. The project which is in its first phase is being progressed by the Forres Heritage Trust which owns the building. George Alexander, chairman of the Trust which also looks after Nelson’s Tower, another building providing uninterrupted views of the region, explained: “It is a little-known fact …

Winter Talk: The story of Moray’s emigration

January 6, 2020November 13, 2019

Delve into stories of human adventure, achievement and adversity as the Forres Heritage Trust welcomes Professor Marjory Harper to present the first of its Winter Talks series. Professor Harper will give a snapshot of Moray’s migration throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in her talk: Snapshots from Morayshire’s migration album: two centuries of adventure and exile” Two million Scots emigrated from their homeland in the 19th century, and a further two million in the 20th century. Morayshire has always been well represented in the Scottish diaspora, though as Professor Harper will explain, its story has perhaps been somewhat neglected. …

More visitors flock to Tolbooth and Tower

October 4, 2019

The Tolbooth and Nelson’s Tower have been visited by more people than ever before for 2019, the Forres Heritage Trust is pleased to report. Bookings for using the Tolbooth which has many rooms which can be hired for events have also increased. Whilst the main tourist season is now finished, the Trust is already thinking ahead to what it can do to improve next season. This year, Nelson’s Tower which sits on Cluny Hill above Grant Park saw over 3302 visitors, an increase from 3025 last year. It was only beaten in 2011, the year the Heritage Trust took …

Forres doors open to the public

September 13, 2019

Forres will be a hotbed of activity later this month when 15 premises open their doors to the public as part of a nationwide initiative. Half of the 30 locations taking part in the Moray Doors Open Day regional event are located within the Forres area and the buildings involved are encouraging visitors to create their own mini tour. The Moray Doors Open Day is part of Doors Open Day, Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates heritage and the built environment. It offers free access to over a thousand venues across the country throughout September every year. The aim …

Record numbers enjoy peek into past

September 13, 2019

RECORD numbers of people have taken time out to visit a historic photographic display held in the town. A showcase of days gone by was held in the Tolbooth which is looked after by the Forres Heritage Trust and curators of the exhibition Ross Dalziel and Ray Mills have been delighted to see an upsurge in people keen to get a glimpse into the past. For the first time, new state-of-the-art equipment played film from over the years and another attraction was the addition of a Forres Academy photo album from 1928. Ross who has volunteered with the Trust …

Court room refurb complete

August 16, 2019

RENOVATIONS made to one of the region’s most historic buildings have been revealed following over three years of work and thousands of pounds of investment. The court room in the Forres Tolbooth has undergone major refurbishment and the Forres Heritage Trust which is responsible for maintaining the building hopes the work makes the space more appealing for hire and hosting its own events. The works which have included a full re-paint, replacement of wooden panelling, a new carpet, the ceiling being thoroughly cleaned and insulated, and all doors sanded and varnished has brought the room back to life. New …