 |
|
|
|
Forres Scottish Week was held from Saturday 3rd June to Sunday 11th June this year. Fortunately the weather was glorious this year, helping to swell the crowds and the fun had by all. The highlight of the week was the Toun Mercat on the Friday and it is a shame that Forres, which is historically a market town, no longer has a regular market.
|
|
|
The week kicked off with a football tournament in the afternoon and, in the evening, the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band. The band love to play in the high street where the sound bounces off the surrounding buildings. Forres is proud to have two local pipers in this top rated band and many people turned out to listen to 2 hours of moving music. During the interval, Jenna Nicol was crowned as the Scottish Week Queen. She will spend some of her time visiting the local old people's homes and lifting their spirits.
|
|
On Monday residents and vistors were treated to an historic insight into the town, presented by local archivist Graeme Wilson. The importance of Forres as a Royal Burgh with its castle (no longer there) and access to the harbour at Findhorn in times going back to the 9th Century cannot be understated. On Tuesday a concert was put on in the local Forres Academy and 6 new Burgesses received their commemorative certficates. Wednesday saw the sportsmen and women out competing in a mile long race along the main high street. Later in the evening there was an illustrated talk on 'Scots who made a difference', in this case, missionary Dr David Livingston. A second talk on 'Scots who made a difference' was given on Thursday and was all about Sir James Young Simpson, the man who pioneered anaesthetics, often by trying them on himself!
|
|
|
Saturday morning saw the children out with their pets in a parade around Grant Park and the musicians were out again for a 'Spirit of Brass' concert in the grounds of nearby Brodie Castle. Finally on Sunday the 'Riding of the Marches' took place; this time on 2 wheels instead of the 4 legs of the horses ridden in days gone by. Some residents also generously opened up their own gardens for others to see and be inspired. Lots of peripheral events went on to, such as a ceilidh in one pub and a 'Stars in their Eyes' competition in another.
Congratulations and thanks must go to the organisers for putting on such a wonderful event for the community and keeping our heritage alive against all the odds.
|
|
