Your tour host, Cameron Taylor
Click here for audio
It may be hard to imagine from looking at Forres today that, throughout its life, this area of Moray has played a major part in the history of this country. Who would guess this tiny town provided not only a backdrop to one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays but was also home to the real Macbeth, King of Scotland, Macbeth- and who could forget the Witches.
Back in 900 A.D. a great castle would have stood at the west end of the High Street commanding views across the surrounding landscape and Moray Firth, but now only the place names of Castle Hill Road, King Way and Old Mint Road carry the memory.
Forres was also the birthplace of Hugh Falconer, who introduced tea growing to India, and, Sir Alexander Grant, the inventor of the digestive biscuit, as well as Donald Alexander Smith who, after serving as governor of the Hudson Bay Company and later creating the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, was given the title Lord Strathcona by Queen Victoria. There has been a settlement at Forres since before Roman times, but the town we know today wasn’t founded as a Royal Burgh until around 1140, by King David I.
Simply click on the images to connect to this great trail
As Forres prospered during mediaeval times, the town grew, with the north side overlooking the Moray Firth becoming predominantly industrial, whilst the south provided homes for the prosperous of the town. Nowadays most of the industrial businesses have moved out of the town leaving its roads, streets, parks and open spaces available for the more gentle pursuits of shopping, taking relaxing strolls in one of our parks or on riverside pathways or simply enjoying a great pot of tea in one of our many cosy cafes.
Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, known as the Wolf of Badenoch, was certainly not known for being a kindly soul. Described as one of the most blackest, most evil character(s) in Scotland’s history, he acquired and lost large areas of land and royal appointments. After falling out with the Bishop of Moray, who had supported his wife in a dispute, in May 1390 he destroyed much of Forres before moving on to destroy Elgin Cathedral and other religious buildings in June of that year.
As a son of the king, Robert II, his powerful connections meant the punishment for these deeds was limited, but his repentance was perhaps not as genuine as it should have been – and legend has it that he died while playing chess with the Devil during a terrible storm in Ruthven Castle, near Kingussie.
As you walk through our beautiful town today, remember to lift your gaze, as many of the old buildings still carry incredible architectural embellishments in the form of date stones, coats of arms, stone carvings, sculptures and even a unicorn or two. We hope you enjoy this snapshot of the history of this beautiful Scottish town. If you would like to know more about Forres, its places and its people, please visit
http:www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/forres\/forres’>Undiscovered Scotland