News

Fundraising is underway to restore two historic paintings which are in desperate need of a clean.

The Tournament and The Riding of the Marches both from 1841 by Thomas Cranmer hang in the courtroom of the Tolbooth which is owned by the Forres Heritage Trust.

Now, Alex Ross, a volunteer with the Forres Heritage Trust is leading on the project which is expected to cost in excess of £20,000

Alex said: “The Forres Heritage Trust is seeking funding from various bodies and we are waiting to see if our applications have been successful. However, with the cost of restoring the two paintings being in excess of £20k, we are hoping that people may consider donating too.

“The restoration work must be undertaken by a registered member of the Institute of Conservation. These paintings are a significant part of the heritage of Forres and are integral to the Tolbooth.

“The Riding of the Marches shows Forres Town Council on the 1st October 1840 ceremonially checking the town’s boundaries, whilst The Tournament depicts a scene in Sir Thomas Dick Lauder’s book The Wolf of Badenoch  during the reign of Robert II (1371 – 1390) whose son-in-law, the Earl of Moray, held a tourney at St John’s Mead on the banks of the River Findhorn close to Darnaway Castle the home to this day of John Stuart, 21st Earl of Moray.”

Alex added: “Due to the historical significance of these paintings, the Trust feels it is vital to undertake the work to the highest standard possible. Both paintings are of considerable local importance and the Trust feels that it is our duty to have them restored and conserved for future generations.

“The present condition of the paintings is not at all as vibrant as they should be, suffering as they have from nicotine, condensation and temperature changes following years of meetings within the building by the former Forres Town Council and others.

“We have quotations from two accredited restorers who have visited the Tolbooth to inspect the paintings, now we just need to get the funding to make the project happen. There is an expectation from some of the funders that we do a certain amount of fundraising so we are urging the people of Forres, past and present to get involved.”

The Forres Heritage Trust took ownership of the Tolbooth 10 years ago following a community asset transfer from Moray Council who wished to close the building.

Over that time, a team of volunteers have been restoring and refurbishing the building which is a popular venue for groups and organisations for meetings and exhibitions, lectures and recitals.

The Forres Heritage Trust also stages its own events including the popular winter talks series and in the spring and summer months, the volunteers also conduct guided tours of the building.

To make a donation please visit: www.justgiving.com/forres-heritage

A seven-year-old boy has been drawn as the winner of a Forres Heritage Trust Quiz that was circulated around the town.

Fergus Rhind was picked as the winner of the quiz which was created by Trust supporter John Sutherland and was available in a number of shops in the tow centre.

There were 13 completed quizzes with six of them being completely correct. Fergus who attends Anderson’s Primary was drawn as the winner.

John created the quiz to raise some funds for the Forres Heritage Trust which is run by volunteers. The Trust owns the Tolbooth and also looks after Nelson’s Tower.

He said: “I am very passionate about the history of Forres and I thought a quiz about it would be fun and raise some funds for the Trust. It was great to see that quite a few youngsters took part and I offer a big well done to Fergus for getting all the answers correct.

Fergus who did the quiz with help from dad Adam and was presented with a £20 prize said: “I enjoyed taking part in the quiz.”

George Alexander, chairman of the Forres Heritage Trust said: “John has been a huge supporter of the Heritage Trust and we thank him for his efforts in creating the quiz. Like John said, it was great to see young people taking part and I congratulate Fergus on his achievement.”

Work has begun to light up three historic monuments in Forres.

Interior wiring works at the Tolbooth and Nelson’s Tower is already underway and external groundworks have also begun to enable the Tolbooth and the Mercat Cross to be illuminated.

There is a small area between the two buildings which is cordoned off to allow for the external cabling works to be carried out.

Last year, the Forres Heritage Trust (FHT) was given planning permission to go ahead with the project which will also see Nelson’s Tower being lit too.

The project is being led by trustees Bill Budge and Bob James who as well as working with consultants and architects have helped the Forres Heritage Trust secure £110k of funding to help the project come to fruition.

Bob James said: “This project has been a long time in the planning and it is great to see it is progressing. These buildings are part of Forres’ rich history and lighting them up will make them a beacon and encourage interest and tourism for the buildings themselves but also create a feature for the people of Forres to enjoy. The groundworks between the Tolbooth and the Mercat Cross will cause minimal disruption and the contractor will be accompanied by an archaeologist due to the historical significance of the two buildings.

He added: “As for the finished schemes, the tower and Tolbooth will each use less than a quarter of the power of a domestic kettle, the Mercat cross about a tenth. The planned running time for the lights will be less than 30 per cent of the total annual hours of darkness in Forres with the majority of the lights going out at 10pm.There will be no light spill as these lights are precision made-to-order for each location.”

Monies for the project were secured from Forres Features Limited, Berry Burn Wind Farm, The Budge Foundation, the Ena and Gordon Baxter Foundation and the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.

Bill Budge said: “Over three years ago, FHT embarked on a project to illuminate the Tolbooth, Mercat Cross and Nelson’s Tower. The Trust knew at the outset that the huge historic significance of the buildings in question required the assistance of professionals who knew not just how to ‘light up’ buildings so their essential features could be fully appreciated, but also that the work could be achieved sure in the knowledge that minimal disturbance would occur to these listed buildings.

“In addition, FHT were very conscious of environmental factors ensuring that the cost of running the lights had to be minimal, fully friendly to nature as well as ensuring all work respected and safeguarded the historic significance of the building to be illuminated, both internally and externally. It was also realised that the cost of achieving a high quality end product would be expensive and extensive fund raising would have to occur.”

He added: “We are very grateful to the funders who have looked at the applications, considered them and have taken the decision to grant money to us so generously. We have been working closely with lighting design specialists RYBKA and award winning LDN Architects who have a recognised track history of being involved in projects which have strong heritage connections and what they are producing for the buildings and therefore our fantastic town is truly something special.”

He added: “Lighting up these buildings was part of a public consultation which was part of Moray Council’s strategic plan and it’s great that the Forres Heritage Trust has been able to make this happen. The Trust considers that the historical importance of Nelson’s Tower, the Tolbooth and Mercat Cross, fully justifies its decision to embark on a course to illuminate each building. The lighting will be controlled by sophisticated technology allowing buildings to be illuminated in appropriate colour schemes to reflect such events as Armistice Day, St Andrews Day, Macmillan Cancer, Christmas Day, to name but a few. The Trust feels that illuminating Nelson’s Tower, the Tolbooth and the Mercat Cross throughout the year will develop them into a beacon, advertising their presence to all and will encourage increased visitor numbers.”

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 Nelson’s Tower but it also included a tour of the Tolbooth. It had long been on the agenda for the Society to visit the Tower which was the first monument erected to Lord Nelson after his death and the most northerly of all Britain’s Nelson monuments.”

As well as visiting the monument, Rev John Maynard from the Society gave a presentation on John Scott, Nelson’s private secretary and friend.

John Scott, was born near Spey Bay to a farming family and was educated in Fochabers. He rose from a humble start as a purser on a small RN vessel to becoming a private secretary to several senior RN officers and ultimately to his position at Admiral Nelson’s side.  He died on the deck of HMS Victory during the early stages of the Battle of Trafalgar. He was held in such esteem that, although a non-commissioned officer, his family were awarded a service pension after his death.

Major General Seymour Monro, the Lord Lieutenant of Moray also attended the talk and gave a resume of his ancestor, Admiral Brisbane, which included an oil painting of him capturing the Spanish vessel Pomona, a print of the capture of Curacao and the original document demanding the surrender of Curacao.

“The talk was fascinating,” said Peter, “John Maynard presented a copy of his research into John Scott to George Alexander, Chairman of the Forres Heritage Trust which is very interesting and valuable to the Trust who have had several requests from local historians for an opportunity to view it. The Society also presented the Trust with a framed timeline of Nelson’s life and career which has now been hung in Nelson’s Tower so it can be viewed by visitors. It was a very successful visit and a lasting and supportive relationship has been formed between the two organisations.”

Chris Brett, chairman of The Nelson Society said:  It was a great pleasure for us to meet with representatives from the Forres Heritage Trust and to see the Tower and the work the Trust has done in maintaining not only the building but also Nelson’s memory. We were given a very warm welcome.”

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 would be sold with the proceeds being donated to the organisation.

Forres Heritage Trust trustee, Ainsley James, managed the project and through working with Roger Milton of Auldearn Antiques was able to make the connection with the family who run Pool House.

Ainsley said: “We are absolutely thrilled that we have been able to find a home for these dresses and Pool House couldn’t be more perfect. Each of the dresses is on display and the fact the House is an official Clan Mackenzie home makes this a perfect ending.

“Pool House is the perfect setting for the outfits and we hope that they add interest to what is already a remarkable museum. I want to say a huge thank you to Roger for making the connection and to the family who run Pool House.”

Liz Miles, whose family owns Pool House which is described as being part museum, part comfy home said she was delighted to be able to display the dresses.

“We already have a number of costumes and I had been in touch with Roger about a 1920s bridal outfit and he told me about these dresses. They are absolutely perfect and we are delighted to have them as part of our collection.

“We have them displayed all around the house and have put them in rooms of the era in which they relate to. They are a wonderful addition for us.”

When the dresses were gifted to the Forres Heritage Trust they were initially on display in the Highland Hospice shop on Forres High Street and then moved to the Tolbooth and were shown alongside one of the Trust’s photographic exhibitions.

Meg said: “We are delighted that the dresses have found a permanent home and they are on display for people to enjoy. It’s great that the people of Forres were able to see them. The flapper dresses were given to John by his godmother Bessie Hodsdon who had a shop in Forres High Street. Some of the items are over 100 years old so it’s fabulous that they will be enjoyed for many years to come.”

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 your journey in the old police office where you can play prisoner and see what life was like in the cells. Have your prints taken, view the rogues’ gallery and have your picture taken up against the ‘mugshot wall.’
Continue your visit through the back corridors of the building to the historic court room. Once it was a room where justice was served, now it houses beautiful artwork and is used as a venue for events and weddings.
Your exploration of the historic Tolbooth will continue to the clocktower where you will step out on to the parapet to enjoy the beautiful views across the town of Forres.

Nelson’s Tower

Open everyday from April 1 to the end of September between 2-4pm.

No booking required. Entry by donation via cash or card.

When visiting Nelson’s Tower not only will you enjoy stunning views from the top but you can also look at the memorabilia that has been curated over the years. Scroll past pics for more details.

It’s a true treasure chest full of history!

It is a fun experience and kids can sit on the cannons, scale the Tower and enjoy the views across the town from the top of the Tower.

They can also hunt for the dragon which lurks in the woods nearby.

A visit to Nelson’s Tower is free but if you like, you can leave us a donation by cash or card!

The Tower is looked after by a team of volunteers who also look after the Tolbooth (see above) situated in Forres High Street.

If you wish to visit Nelson’s Tower or the Tolbooth out with the stated times, please send us an email via the contact page here on the website.