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Forres Heritage Trust volunteers scoop Angel Award for resurrecting local monuments

Forres Tolbooth
Forres Tolbooth

A Moray volunteer group has won a new national award for resurrecting two historic local landmarks.

The Scottish Heritage Angel Awards acknowledge and celebrate individuals who endeavour to better understand, appreciate and protect Scotland’s heritage and history.

And now Forres Heritage Trust is celebrating after being recognised for their efforts to safeguard Nelson’s Tower and the Tolbooth and bring them back into use.

On Monday, six members of the group attended the inaugural Scottish Heritage Angel Awards’ ceremony in Edinburgh and collected the caring and protecting accolade.

Trust chairman and Forres councillor George Alexander said: “We are delighted to have won this award. There is a huge number of volunteers involved in keeping the Nelson’s Tower open every day from March to September and a barrel-load who work tirelessly at the Tolbooth.

“I may be the group’s current chairman, but the volunteers are the real angels. This is a tremendous reward for all their work, and I am very proud of all of them.

“I also hope it will encourage others to come on board and do a bit of volunteering and maybe other towns in Moray will take a leaf out of our book. It’s good for the soul.”

The trust formed after Moray Council announced it intended intention to close the renowned Tolbooth in 2009 following years of dilapidation.

The effort of the “angels” lead to the iconic building restored, and they officially took ownership of it with a community asset transfer last November.

Now, the building is used by the local community and offers educational visits and volunteer-led, guided tours – providing visitors with a unique insight into its history spanning more than 170 years.

The trust is also behind the tower built to commemorate Admiral Lord Nelson on Cluny Hill reopening its doors to the public.

They lease Nelson’s Tower from the council without charge and around 3,000 visitors attend annually to enjoy the panoramic views on offer after climbing the 96 steps to the top.