Could you be a Forres tour guide?
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Tour guide volunteers are being sought to show visitors around what are arguably Forres' two most impressive attractions – The Tolbooth and Nelson's Tower.
Having been forced to remain shut for all but two months since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, plans are now being put in place to open up both venues right through the upcoming tourist season.
George Alexander is the chairman of the Forres Heritage Trust, which took over control of the Tolbooth from Moray Council in 2014 and also looks after Nelson's Tower.
He said: "I've spoken to people who have lived in Forres all their lives and have never been in either building.
"That's a great shame because they're both fascinating.
"The Tolbooth tour takes about an hour on its own because there's so much to see.
"I'd recommend getting involved as a volunteer to anyone.
"You'll learn a lot about your own town, and you'll also get to meet many interesting people – there are visitors who come to Forres from all around the world."
It's thought a building of major civic prominence has stood on the Toolbooth site for at least 800 years.
However, the foundation stone for its current incarnation was laid in 1838, when it acted not just as the town's court but also its police station and cells as well as its council offices.
To showcase that history, the heritage trust has now created a new tour which highlights the recently renovated courtroom as well as the parapet around the clock tower – which has never been open to the public before.
George said: "We've done a lot of work in order that folk are allowed up there.
"You get a great view of Forres, which is different from the top of Nelson Tower because you're right in the town centre up amongst the rooftops.
"We've already taken up a few people onto the parapet as a trial run, and the feedback we received has been really positive."
Meanwhile, the foundation stone for Nelson's Tower up on Cluny Hill was laid in 1806, the year after the Battle of Trafalgar.
Therefore, as a tribute to Britain's most famous admiral, it pre-dates its cousin in London's Trafalgar Square by more than 35 years.
Training and support will be given to all volunteer tour guides.
To have a chat and find out more about the role, email fhtvolunteers@outlook.com
