Forres Tolbooth clock repaired as renovation project approaches completion
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THE clock on one of the town’s most historic buildings is chiming again after repairs.
The restoration at the Tolbooth is the final stage of a project which will see its parapet being opened to the public as a tourist attraction.
The replacement was carried out by clockmakers Smiths of Derby, and chairman of Tolbooth custodians Forres Heritage Trust (FHT), George Alexander, is thrilled to hear the chimes again.
He said: “We hope to get the tower open to the public sometime next spring. The clock is 183 years old and the chiming mechanism from the mid-20th
century had been struggling and needed replaced. The old mechanism couldn’t be repaired and required a special skillset in Smiths of Derby, who did a tremendous job.”
Safety barriers have been installed around the clocktower walkway. The development included tearing out the old wooden staircase access and installing a new one. Also, making the stonework and walkway around the clocktower safe.
George added: “We are now working on how we can open the parapet to the public for the first time.”
To complete the project, the trust received £11,301.60 from the Beatrice Partnership Fund, £20,000 from Berry Burn Community Fund and £9375 from Moray Council via the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.
