Paul Wilson and Carol MacDonald to be first to marry at the historic Forres Tolbooth
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A COUPLE are believed to be the first to get married in a historic local building.
Paul Wilson (60) and Carol MacDonald (54) from Forres have decided to tie the knot in the grand Tolbooth courtroom, renovated in recent years by custodians Forres Heritage Trust (FHT).
Findhorn-based rewilding charity Trees for Life administrator, Carol, said: “We wanted to have something a little different for our ceremony but still have it in Forres. My sister found the Tolbooth online whilst looking for venues. It’s just perfect. FHT’s volunteers have brought the room back to life – it looks amazing!”
FHT chairman George Alexander explained that it has always been the aim of the volunteers to have the building used as a space for community use, with the courtroom being the main area for holding functions.
He said: “A wedding was always our main aim as the courtroom provides the perfect ambience for such an important and emotive occasion.
“Carol and Paul are in for a long and happy union! Carol will have access on the day before the wedding and the volunteers will do all they can to have the room set out according to her wishes. She has already visited more than once and has a clear idea of what she wants.”
Saturday April 9 is the couple’s third proposed date as they had to cancel twice due to Covid-19.
Carol is originally from Benbecula but transferred with the civil service to work at RAF Kinloss in 1995.
Paul is from Forres and was a lifeguard and swimming instructor around Moray for over 40 years before retiring in December 2019.
The pair met in summer 2011 when Carol was working in the bar at Mosset Park.
“We started going out in December of that year,” said Carol. “The proposal was at Forres War Memorial in August 2019. It’s close to Paul’s heart as his father led Remembrance parades for the Royal British Legion – we are having our reception in the function room there.”
The Tolbooth has evolved over the best part of 800 years but the foundation stone for the new court house and public offices was laid in 1838. The building was in the care of Moray Council until 2014 when ownership was transferred to FHT.
George said: “The modern building has three spaces which lend themselves to use for meetings. These cover a wide range of use from yoga classes to floral art and the Angling Association.
“Forres Crafters use the space as well as numerous other groups. Anyone interested should get in touch via https://forresheritage.co.uk/feedback/ and we will do all we can to accommodate them at a realistic cost.”
