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Future of Moray museum hangs in the balance after closure decision is delayed

Falconer Museum in Forres. Dr John Barrett of the Friends of The Falconer Museum.
Falconer Museum in Forres. Dr John Barrett of the Friends of The Falconer Museum.

The future of a Moray museum remains in the balance after a decision about whether to shut the attraction was delayed.

The Falconer Museum in Forres faces being the latest victim of council cuts that have devastated services across the region in recent years.

A decision was made in February to either shut the attraction or pass it to an external trust – a move expected to generate savings of £80,000.

However, yesterday the move was delayed to early next year to allow investigations to form a new group to continue – despite warnings the process could take a “considerable” amount of time to complete.

Last night, campaigners from the Friends of the Falconer Museum campaign group said they would continue to support the attraction but stressed they did not have the resources to run it.

Chairman John Barrett said: “I suspect the trust may be a fig leaf for shutting the museum all together. I know the council has allocated money to keep the building in a mothballed state next year but nothing is certain beyond that.

“We looked at forming a trust several years ago and it was just beyond us. We took the decision a few months that we didn’t have the time or resources to go through all that again.

“If a new group does come forward though then we would support them because we support the museum and want to see it continue.”

Nearly 100 people packed the balconies and staircases at the museum for a meeting last week to plot the future for the 147-year-old attraction.

Aaron McLean, chairman of the council’s policy and resources committee, remains hopeful a workable solution can be found to keep the doors open.

He said: ““We have to look at providing a sustainable museum service so that it can continue far into the future, and I believe all councillors are keen that work should continue in that regard.”

Forres councillor Claire Feaver blamed the current situation and continued funding cuts from the Scottish Government.

She added: “It is tragic that such an iconic part of Forres’s civic heritage is under threat but it is the consequence of decisions being made in Holyrood.”