A group of Moray volunteers who maintain a monument named after Admiral Lord Nelson have been commended by a historic society dedicated to the legendary seafarer.
The Forres Heritage Trust has been managing Nelson Tower, which sits at the summit of Cluny Hill, for the past five years and have transformed it into a popular tourist spot.
The tower was built in the early 19th century, and a ship surgeon who fought to save Nelson’s life aboard the HMS Victory was a key player in organising its creation.
Niel Smith, who is buried at Cawdor, rallied the Forres community to fund the impressive tribute.
It now boasts a collection of memorabilia and photographs connected to Lord Nelson, including a framed copy of the London Times newspaper from 1805 reporting on his death following the Battle of Trafalgar.
The volunteers’ efforts were recently recognised by the Nelson Society, a national organisation devoted to keeping the military legend’s memory alive.
The society’s Scottish regional secretary, Ronnie Kane, visited Forres to survey the tower, and presented the Moray group with a plaque honouring their work.
Forres Heritage Trust chairman, George Alexander, said: “Mr Kane was quite blown away by the tower, and the plaque came as a pleasant surprise to us.
“The volunteers who help run it as an attraction are passionate about Forres, they want people to know there are plenty things here worth visiting.”
The tower began welcoming visitors at the onset of the tourist season in April, and it will remain open between 2pm and 4pm every day until the end of September.
