Restoration of the paintings 2023 to 2025
In December 2023 lead by Alex Ross, the Trust launched an appeal for the restoration of the two paintings
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.”
For more information about the appeal please click on this link
The appeal was successul in raising £25,000 and The Tournament was sent for restoration to Sylvia Krauss ACR at Templeton Studios, Glasgow. The Riding of the Marches was sent for restoration by Egan, Matthes & Rose ACR, Douglas Court, Dundee.
On 21st March 2025 the restored paintings were unveiled at an event organised by the Trust, 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 coming to the end of renovating the courtroom where the paintings are hung. Lots of work had been done to spruce up the room. However, when we stood back and then turned our attention to these paintings, we realized just how grubby they were. I decided that I would take the lead and do something to get them restored. Although I took the lead, this project has had many people involved. The Friday Gang who volunteer at the Tolbooth every week, were crucial to safely getting the paintings down off the wall and packaged for transporting to the restorers. They then had the even more crucial job of getting them rehung. The care and attention they took when doing this needs to be noted.”
For more information about the unveiling of the restored paintings please click on this link
