A model of one of the UK’s most famous fighting ships has anchored in the Moray landmark named after the Royal Navy legend.
A painstakingly-constructed replica of Admiral Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory was auctioned off by a Moray fundraiser this year and purchased by Forres Heritage Trust for more than £750.
Yesterday, group members joined with the pensioner who built the detailed reproduction during an unveiling ceremony at the Forres Nelson Tower.
The historic monument was constructed overlooking the town in 1806, as a memorial to Admiral Lord Nelson.
It is now run as a tourist attraction by the Forres Heritage Trust, which pooled its reserves to bid successfully for the scale model of the 104-gun first-rate ship.
Trust chairman George Alexander said: “Nelson Tower really is the perfect place for the model, and that’s why we were so eager to bid for it.
“It looks very nice there now, and I got the impression the lady who made it was quite chuffed with how we have it displayed.”
Keen model boat enthusiast Barbara Nash, 74, spent two-and-a-half years making the replica, which holds a special meaning for her as worsening arthritis has now put an end to her hobby.
The finished article, which has a 20-inch hull, was displayed in the window of Elgin’s Cancer Research UK shop, where Miss Nash is a volunteer, ahead of a silent auction last August.
The following month, it emerged that Forres Heritage Trust had tendered a winning bid of £753, but with gift aid adding 25p to every pound, Cancer Research UK pocketed almost £1,000 from the purchase.
Miss Nash was guest of honour at the model’s unveiling yesterday, and said she was “absolutely delighted” with its presentation.
The Cullen pensioner added: “It has been beautifully cased, and it looks like it will be there for a long time.
“I had been worried it might be purchased by someone who might not take proper care of it, but it couldn’t have worked out any better.”
HMS Victory famously led the British fleet to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Nelson Tower will now be open from 2pm to 4pm every day until September.
