Tributes paid to Forres volunteer and historian Ross Dalziel

A much-loved local volunteer and historian has died.

Ross Dalziel passed away on November 6, just 18 days short of his 90th birthday, leaving his family and friends heartbroken.

Fellow Forres Heritage Trust member, Ray Mills is one who will miss his friend dearly.

He said: “A light has gone out in my life.

“Ross, in his own unique unassuming manner, was a very private individual, who never ever sought praise for his many undoubted talents.

“His family, Vallie, Andrew and Trina, each of whom he was so very proud of, can so rightfully be proud of him.

“Ross was a gracious, generous, much-loved gentleman, who led a life well-lived.”

Ross, along with Franny Duncan, was the inspiration and co-founder of the twice-annual Historic Photograph Exhibitions in the Tolbooth, organised by Forres Heritage Trust (FHT).

In 2010, Ray was invited to a meeting at Ross’s house in Meikle Crook by Ross’s life-long friend, FHT founder and its first chairman, John Mackenzie.

Ray explained: “We discussed what could be done with archives of old photographs taken by my parents, Digby and Sybil Mills, for the local papers in the ‘40’s, ‘50’s and ‘60’s.

“The idea of the exhibitions took off, and Ross and Franny started them on the following year, bringing a lot of pleasure to a lot of people.”

Ross had a scanner for black and white, medium format negatives which opened a world of old Forres photographs.

“It was some time before I got involved to the same degree as Ross and Franny,” said Ray, “but it became an addictive pastime.

“Many hours were spent discussing the relevant names and and dates for captions, and then producing prints.

“So much information was held in our collective memories and in the extensive amount of local history books that we owned between us.”

Ross would regularly introduce Ray to an interesting book or share his local insights, partly built from involvement with numerous groups including Friends of the Falconer Museum, the Model Club and Boys’ Brigade.

“He gave me a copy of an article written by Alastair Gollan about the Castle(s) of Forres,” finished Ray, “and one about the High Street shops by Franny Duncan, both of which proved invaluable in later research.

“His stories of national service in Egypt, growing tomatoes at Grovita, and the tending to his classic cars, kept us entertained during many a photo display.”