Forres heritage study could boost tourism

A STUDY of Forres aims to highlight its potential as a dynamic visitor and tourism experience, which is seen as the way forward to help boost the town centre.

A team of archaeologists are currently carrying out a special conservation area appraisal which will chart the town’s heritage and could act as a document for future funding applications for projects.

Moray Council has teamed up with Forres Heritage Trust, Friends of the Falconer Museum, Forres in Bloom, the local Development Trust and other local partners for the project.

The appraisal is being led by locally based Chartered Architect and Heritage Consultant Andrew PK Wright, whose team are developing the Conservation Area Appraisal, Management, Action and Interpretation Plan.

These will also highlight a wide variety of opportunities to regenerate the town centre and improve the Forres wide heritage experience in a co-ordinated approach, ranging from potentially strategic larger projects to smaller ones.

“The work aims to provide spatial and building analysis, public realm audit, historical background, detailed costs for projects and other guidance,” said Mr Wright. “It will also be the basis for proposals for improvements and possible external funding applications in the future.”

The plan has been proposed in response to the Moray Economic Strategy and its priorities and themes of ‘High Street First’, ‘The Visitor Economy’ and ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage and will assist with the developments of attracting and retaining visitors to Forres.

The aims of regenerating the High Street and enabling full use to be made of the rich Heritage experience that Forres has to offer are also priorities. The overall remit is to address the overarching aims and objectives of the project which include providing greater access to and understanding of the local heritage

Creating a sense of ownership and pride in the historical and environmental legacy, particularly by the younger generation and improving the economic opportunities within Forres and surrounding area are also part of the plan, as well as aiming to create the opportunity to conserve and improve the built, historical and social environment.

Mr Wright has been working on the High Street recently, and admits that the work and detailed study has thrown up a few suprises, including the discovery that a plaque mounted on a wall down one of the High Street closes had apparently been moved from the old bridge when it was replaced in 1908 with a new structure.

“This development will allow the opportunity to explore our heritage and demonstrate how valuable it is to our environment and to our communities and invest for our future generations. Once the findings have been concluded, consultations will take place through public stakeholder events.”