Relief all round as Tolbooth boasts brand new toilets

FORRES Tolbooth took another step into the 21st century last week with a brand new feature.

Forres Heritage Trust (FHT), with the help of a large number of volunteers and donations, have installed revamped public toilets on the lower floor of the tourist attraction.

“The law states that, if the Tolbooth were to charge an entry fee for events, it must have disabled facilities,” said FHT chair, James ‘Flicker’ Duncan.

“Due to the amazing work carried out by volunteers, the main building on the High Street now has them.

“The Forres community have outdone themselves again and we hope that it will be a hub for visitors to the town in future!”

Planning permission for the toilets was granted last November but work could only commence following the Community Asset Transfer of the building from Moray Council to FHT.

Over the last month, the old toilets and cleaner’s room were stripped and a new wet wall, flooring and joists installed. A complete renovation of sanitary ware and electrical works was also carried out to meet disability regulations.

The volunteers and FHT trustees who carried out the work included retired joiner Jim Grant, joiners Ian McLannan and Ian Thoroughgood, plumbers David and Alistair Mackintosh, painter Sandy Barclay, electrician Malcolm McIntosh and architect, Tom Duff.

Fittings and materials were donated by Elgin plumbing and heating supplier William Wilson, Forres merchants Keith Builders, and timber specialists The Woodshop of Elgin.

“We are grateful for the help of all of the people who did the job,” said Jim Grant, who himself worked on the project without pay for three weeks.

“The excellent work was completed at a fraction of the cost thanks to their generous voluntary labour and supplies.”

Tom Logie of FHT pointed out that the new toilets open up the Tolbooth to even more visitors.

“Many people have made phone enquiries about the facilities ahead of a visit in the past,” he said. “We often had to tell them that we couldn’t accommodate their needs but we can now!

“The new facilities are an asset to the Tolbooth.”