A virtual walking route to explore the rich heritage of a Moray town will be launched to coincide with one of the region’s biggest events.
Thousands of visitors are expected at the annual Piping at Forres extravaganza in June – generating more than £1million to the local economy.
And now, the organisers have designed a mobile phone app to entice tourists to investigate the rest of the town while uncovering its history.
Carved Pictish stones and sites linked to Macbeth, who ruled over the community in the 11th century, are included on the heritage trail.
However, the app’s creators are looking to include historical stories and facts from locals to delve deeper into the area’s past.
Eddie Tomkinson, director of Piping at Forres, said: “Forres has a fascinating history which includes tales of witches and spies, teas and biscuits and, of course, many famous faces.
“But what we are also looking for is for people to come to us with their own historic titbits about the town – they may be fact, fiction, legend or myth, but they will all form part of the town’s tapestry and could end up being included.
“The aim of the app is to get people, whether they are locals or visitors, moving around the town.”
The mobile phone device has been launched as part of the event’s celebrations of Scotland’s year of history, heritage and archaeology.
Although the free trail goes online for Piping at Forres on June 24, it will be available to be used throughout the year.
Software engineer Paul Johnson, from Moray firm Openbrolly, designed the tour and is eager to see visitors planning their visit to the region by using it.
He added: “This is a fantastic way to bring the history of Forres alive with a modern piece of technology.
“The town has such a rich and vibrant history which features some fabulous people throughout the years and the intention is that this history will be brought alive through the app.”
Jo Robinson, regional director of Visit Scotland, said: “This walking app is a great addition to the day’s events at Forres and anything which encourages the visitor to further explore the town and spend more time here is to be welcomed.”
Stories to be included in the app can be sent to Mr Johnson by emailing creative.impulse.123@gmail.com.
