Forres Local

02/10/2025

A well-loved local shop owner has announced her retirement after 44 years. Pearl Hamilton has been a mainstay of the town centre at PEARL'S (Pet Care) on Tolbooth Street, with a large range of pet supplies, saying 'if she can't get it, you don't need it'.

Pearl has always been a champion of local businesses, and we wish her well in her retirement.

Her last day of trading will be Christmas Eve, and the shop, will close at 2pm.

Read more here: https://forreslocal.com/forres-business-stalwart-and-pet-shop-owner-pearl-hamilton-retires/

29/09/2025

😡 A 'lack of respect' is how a volunteer at Blairs Loch has described a recent bout of littering at the beauty spot.

A visitor to one of the bird hides was horrified to discover a pile of cans, bottles and waste discarded at a hide on the trail which goes around the loch, and sent this picture in to the volunteers.

The Friends of Blairs Loch put many hours into making the quiet and tranquil area pleasant for the community to enjoy, and now have to spend their time cleaning it up.

Volunteer Carlo Miele said: "It’s disappointing to see litter left behind at Blair’s, It spoils the space for everyone and shows a lack of respect for the environment."

25/09/2025

Moray Council has submitted a planning application for a new Forres Academy beside Applegrove School.

The proposal includes replacing the current Forres Academy with a modern, three-storey building covering 12,126m².

The new school would provide space for 1,120 secondary pupils, including dedicated facilities for pupils with additional support needs and areas for community use.

The plans also include outdoor sports facilities, landscaping, car parking, and a dedicated bus drop-off area.

More info, and a link to the planning application can be found here: https://forreslocal.com/planning-permission-for-new-1120-pupil-forres-academy-at-roysvale-is-submitted/

14/09/2025

Half-time at ForresmechanicsOfficial where Boots, Balls and Bales is bringing us a full day of country music!

Here's some highlights from this morning. Tickets are still available on the gate and it's open till 8pm with food and drink vendors on site.

There's still time to catch tributes to Taylor Swift, Shania Twain and Dolly Parton next...

But for now, here's some of the crowd enjoying the sunshine this morning.

Your Vibe Events

14/09/2025

Boots, Balls and Bales has kicked off with a full-line-up of country music acts to raise funds for ForresmechanicsOfficial

And the sun is shining!

10/09/2025

[EVENT] Boots, Balls and Bales looks set to be a fun-filled, family-friendly, all-day country music festival in Forres on Sunday, with tributes to Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash, as well as local acts The Forty Elephants, Moray Line Dancers and much more.

There's even an arm wrestling competition and a hot dog eating contest, as well as entertainment for the kids, food vendors and a licensed bar.

With a whopping nine hours of stage music, there's sure to be something for you.

We've put together a full run-down of all the acts, and everything you can expect at this stomping day out.

Tickets available from the link below, or on the gate:

https://moray.events/all-you-need-to-know-about-boots-balls-and-bales/

Boots, Balls and Bales is a full-day, family-friendly country music festival at the Mosset Park football pitch on Sunday 14 September, and will help raise funds for the Forres Mechanics FC. We asked the organisers, Your Vibe Events, to give us a breakdown of what to expect and everything you…

04/09/2025

Big news — We are excited to learn that the Falconer Museum will open for Doors Open Day on Saturday 13 September from 10am to 1pm.

A spokesperson for the Friends of The Falconer Museum said: “To our great surprise and joy, we just received the message from Moray Council officer June Burnett, that on Moray Doors Open Day, Saturday, 13 September, the Falconer Museum will open its doors from 10am to 1pm.

“We would like to invite everyone to take advantage of this unique opportunity, especially if you haven't had the chance to visit the Falconer in the past.”

The museum joins seven other attractions in the Forres area (16 across Moray) that offer an insight into local historical landmarks with free admission.

Friends of the Falconer Museum Moray Council

04/09/2025

Congratulations to Forres and District Pipe Band which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this month with a ceilidh.

Ahead of the celebration, they recalled recent highlights of playing in Germany at twin towns of Goslar and Vienenberg, performing at the European Pipe Band Championships, and joining the City of Mt Dora Pipe Band when they visited in 2023.

Read more and book tickets here: https://forreslocal.com/forres-and-district-pipe-band-celebrates-100-years-with-a-ceilidh/

03/09/2025

Residents of Forres are being invited to the launch of the Forres Conservation & Heritage Scheme on Friday 12 September where they discuss projects being planned with nearly £1.8 million of funding.

Forres Town Hall will be open from 4.30pm to 6pm, where anyone can pop in, explore the scheme’s projects, and learn how to get involved. The event offers a chance to discover opportunities for grants, heritage conservation initiatives, and ways to engage with the individual projects.

Read more at: https://forreslocal.com/public-invited-to-get-involved-in-preserving-and-celebrating-towns-unique-heritage/

01/09/2025

Forres has a strong offering on Doors Open Days with almost half of all the properties open in Moray for the one-day event on Saturday 13 September.

Properties in the IV36 area to visit are:

• Nelson's Tower
• Altyre Estate: Clubroom and St Francis Chapel
• Kinloss Abbey and Abbot's House
• Brodie Castle & Estate NTS
• Forres Men's Shed
• St Laurence Church
• Forres Town Hall
• Falconer Museum

Plus nine other properties elsewhere in Moray. More details at https://forreslocal.com/forres-properties-throw-doors-open-for-chance-to-visit-local-landmarks/

For full listing of Doors Open Day and many more events, see https://moray.events

29/08/2025

Congratulations to the Crown and Anchor in Findhorn which has been highly commended in the 'Top Gastro Pub' category of the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.

Simon and Katrina Paterson took over the pub almost three years ago and have since been shortlisted twice.

Simon said: "This is the second time we have been at the awards in our not quite three years.

"To get invited on to the stage in front of the top of Scottish hospitality was indeed a very proud moment and without our wonderful staff we would not have been there."

26/08/2025

🔥 The Rotary Club of Forres has confirmed that the bonfire and fireworks display will take place in Grant Park on Saturday, 1 November. Bonfire at 6.30pm and fireworks at 7pm.

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