Lossiemouth gears up to welcome German visitors from Hersbruck
A large group of visitors will be arriving tomorrow as Lossiemouth celebrates its 50-year link with its German twin town Hersbruck.
The twinning link, which has been described as one of the most successful in Europe, all began when a bus-load of German tourists broke down during a trip around Scotland.
They were taken in by the people of Lossiemouth and things just developed from there.
An official charter was signed by the two towns in 1972 and, every year since, groups have being taking turns to visit each other.
The twinning link has even led to one marriage, with Elaine Stewart now known as Elaine Schmidt.
Meanwhile, Evi Stenz has regularly been journeying to Lossiemouth right from the very start.
James Allen, who represents the town on Moray Council, has stayed with the same family in Hersbruck for the past 35 years.
He said: "I've come to know so many people over there now that when I walk down a street, they call out, 'Hi, James'.
"Hersbruck has become a second home.
"And the fact that we stay in people's homes rather than hotels has made the bonds even stronger."
A group of 40 guests are due to arrive at Lossiemouth High School tomorrow afternoon, while a further 31 are due on Saturday.
Among the events organised for during their stay is a trip to Loch Ness, a tour of Kinnaird lighthouse, a gala dinner in Nairn and a farewell dinner at the Lossiemouth FC social club.
In addition, a 'friendship bench' will be unveiled beside the new bridge to mark the 50-year connection between the two towns.
Hersbruck has a population of about 12,000 and stands in the German province of Bavaria.
Having had to be cancelled in both 2020 and 2021, the trip there finally went ahead last month.
Funding was gained by James which meant the party of 45 who headed over from Moray included young people from both the Boys Brigade and the Lossiemouth High School Pipe Band.
