Nelson Tower

Nelson Tower in Forres was the first monument to be raised in Britain in honour of Lord Nelson and the triumph at Trafalgar.

The following announcement was proclaimed in Forres -

“It is proposed to erect, by subscription, on the summit of the
Cluny Hills, near Forres, a tower of which a plan, furnished
gratuitously by Mr. Charles Stuart, architect at Darnaway, is herewith laid before the publick.”

Designed as ‘A monument to departed heroism’, the tower also formed a unique and early tourist attraction.

“Exclusive of answering the intended purpose, it will form a most agreeable object to every traveller and the country at large, an useful sea beacon, an excellent observatory, and a commanding alarm post in the event of an enemy’s approach by sea or land.”The sum for the purpose was estimated at 700 guineas and £610 was raised from the 269 subscribers. A Committee of Management was elected and an application was made to Forres Town Council requesting –

“The use of roads and the site at the top of the Hill, and also ground for the site of the proposed memorial, to be the joint and perpetual property of the inhabitants of Forres and the whole subscribers to the said Tower, and to be occupied by them solely for the purpose of recreation and amusement.”

Some of the subscribers formed the Trafalgar Club which on the first anniversary of the battle.  The Club continued to meet in subsequent years and on its demise, its property passed to the Town Council.

The Building of the Tower

The foundation stone of Nelson Tower was laid on the 26th August, 1806 by James Brodie of Brodie.

The Provincial Grand Master Mason with his Grand Masters and Chaplain proceeded from St. Laurence Lodge, accompanied by the Forres Volunteers, sailors carrying naval flags, the Right Worshipful Masters and Brethren of the Lodges of St. John and St. Laurence, the Provost and Magistrates of the Burgh, many of the subscribers, and a detachment of the Forres Rifle Corps as bodyguard. Coins and a parchment scroll were placed under the stone.

After a speech and prayer, the Volunteers fired three volleys in the air, then the procession returned to town for a celebration at Maclean’s Inn.

The subscriptions were short of the required amount, and additional appeals were made in 1807 and 1810. On Trafalgar Day, 21st October, 1812, at 1.00 pm:-

“The flag was hoisted on Trafalgar Tower and a salute of twenty—one rounds fired from a couple of four pounders lately presented by Mr. Lillie of Forres and Mr. Archibald Leslie of London. These two cannon, it is said, were with the Fleet at the bombardment of Alexandria.”

These cannon still sit at the entrance door of the Tower.

The Trafalgar Club

On the anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar, 21st October, 1807, a considerable number of the subscribers to the Nelson Memorial formed themselves into “The Trafalgar Club”.  The first meeting was held at Maclean’s Inn, James Brodie of Brodie being in the chair.  The meetings were held on Trafalgar’s anniversary every year, and so convivial were they that in 1818 it was minuted -

“In order to obviate complaints against the qualities of wines to be afterwards used at meetings of the Club, it was proposed that a cellar should be formed from whence the Tavern Keeper should be supplied for the use of the Club only, he paying to the Club the prime cost, and charging the individual members the regular price of the house. To encourage which the noble preces immediately promised to present a cask of claret to the Club.”

By the 1830s the original enthusiasm for the Club was waning and in 1850 the Town Council approached the temporary Custodian and the relics of the Trafalgar Club were transferred to the local authority, Forres Town Council and after reorganisation in 1975 to the Moray District Council.

In the Spring of 1980 the Community Council for the Royal Burgh of Forres instructed their Vice Chairman, Mr R. F. McIntosh, to investigate potential improvements to the inside of the Nelson Tower and a renovation project was started.   A viewfinder was also provided by the local Rotary Club.

The Tower re-opened to visitors in the summer of 1992.  Superb views of Findhorn Bay, the Laich of Moray and across the Firth to Sutherland can be seen from its 70 foot high vantage point.

The Tower is open throughout the summer months from Tuesday – Sunday 2-4 pm.