Forres Tolbooth actors recreate town’s history

Characters from the history of Forres were brought back to life during a recent ‘time-travelling’ event at the Tollbooth.

The Imaginarium’s Missing Museum saw actors recreating the stories of local figures, such as Isobel Gowdie who was imprisoned on trumped-up charges of witchcraft in the year 1662.

The two-day event at the end of last month was commissioned by Findhorn Bay Arts.

Kresanna Aigner, the organisation’s CEO, said: “This project was an invitation to experience history differently, an open call to explore, question, and reclaim historical narratives that have long been under-represented, misrepresented or erased.”

The project was delivered in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway’s The Stove Network as well as artists DJ McDowell and Margot Henderson.

In addition, 18 young people from Forres Academy and the town’s youth club also helped out by making artefacts for the associated displays.

DJ McDowell said: “The Missing Museum offered something refreshingly different — a space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences could see themselves reflected in the story of their local heritage.

“From curious children to long-time residents, it encouraged its community co-curators to question who and what gets remembered.

“By opening up conversations and inviting participation, it transformed heritage from something static and distant into something living, shared, and deeply personal.

“Local people welcomed us with open arms and wholeheartedly embraced the experience. People were ready to have these difficult conversations, help us collectively to understand now and learn from their history to help positively impact our shared futures.

“We’re still blown away by the breadth of community support and the astonishing response we received.

“Thank you for your support and trust and all you’ve gifted us in return, it was beyond expectations.”

Local storyteller and artist Margot Henderson said: “It was wonderful to see how naturally and enthusiastically the players took on their character roles.

She added: “It was a joy to see the Tolbooth come alive as we were led through the many rooms and ruminations by the ingenious time traveller guides.

“It was a real testimony to the power of art and enactment to engage, enchant, illuminate and educate in meaningful ways.”