2020 will probably - hopefully - be one of the most unusual years of our lifetimes.
However, in and amongst the coronavirus outbreaks and lockdowns, there was some good news.
This is the story of Moray's 2020, the good, the bad and the ugly, through the eyes of Northern Scot photographers Becky Saunderson and Daniel Forsyth.
The year got under way in regular fashion, with the traditional Clavie in Burghead.
Grant Cormie of the Harbour Inn receives his burning stave from Clavie King Dan Ralph. ..The village of Burghead welcome in the 2020 New Year on the 11th of January with their traditional Burning of the Clavie Celebration...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
However, the pandemic soon started to hit Moray. The wolf of Badenoch took all precautions with this face mask, while local youngsters painted rainbows and the public clapped for our frontline staff.
The Wolf of Badenoch statue at the top of Elgin's High Street has jokenly had a protective mask put on him as the Coronavirus pandemic continues...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Mikey Gordon alongside his rainbow display...As part of the 'From My Window' movement - people have been putting rainbows on their windows across Moray to spread joy. ..Picture: Daniel Forsyth..NHS Grampian staff members at Dr Grays Hospital in Elgin come outside at 8pm on Thursday April 9th to observe the Clap for Carers as they show their appreciation for the work each other are doing during the coronavirus pandemic. ..Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
But people have figured out ways to get around the pandemic as we enter what has been described by politicians as 'the new normal'.
Minister of the Elgin & Forres Free Church Colin Morrison reaches out to his congregation for his Sunday Service through a Facebook LIVE video after the church was unable to hold their traditional Sunday service due to the Coronavirus pandemic. ..Picture: Daniel Forsyth..20-year-old triathlete Cameron Main trains at home in Elgin during the coronavirus lockdown as he aims for a place in Team Scotland for the 2022 Commonwealth Games...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Lossiemouth Entertainment Academy performers return to the stage as they prepare for their latest production - a Christmas show titled 'That's the Spirit'. The socially-distanced performances take place at Elgin's Town Hall...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
After months of closure, shops, hairdressers and sporting facilities started reopening, albeit with precuations aplenty.
Dorothy Marshall...Forres Golf Club reopens following the Scottish Goverment annoucement as lockdown restrictions are eased across the country during the coronavirus outbreak. ..Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Dene Brebner - Tours and Events Manager...With additional safety measures in place, Johnstons of Elgin reopen their Elgin retail store as part of the Scottish Government's phased plan to relax the coronavirus lockdown restrictions...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Shannon Wilkinson, who works from Younger Day Spa in Lossiemouth. ..The latest step in the Scottish Government's phased exit from lockdown enabled hairdressers to reopen...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Unfortunately, events like the Highland Games and SpeyFest were cancelled. However, many traditional gatherings and events - from VE Day to the Highland League Cup - took place in unusual circumstances.
Depute Lt of Banffshire Brigadier Hugh Monro...Dufftown Rememberance Day 2020...Picture: Becky Saunderson..Pipe Major Barry Ashby plays in remembrance at the Forres War Memorial. Barry is the Pipe Major of the RAF Lossiemouth Pipe Band and also tends to the war memorial gardening as part of the Forres in Bloom team...75th anniversary celebrations of VE Day at the Forres War Memorial...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Left to Right: Emilia Exon, Lesley-Anne Exon and Eva Exon. ..The village of Kintessack, near Forres, prepare for thier VE Day celebrations...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Paul MacLeod (Right) wheels away to celebrate scoring the winner for the Speysiders...Rothes FC (2) vs Buckie Thistle FC (1) - Highland League Cup Final - Christie Park, Huntly 31/10/2020...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
And a number of special, one-off ocassions were marked, including 100th birthdays, a visit from the Prime Minister and the marking of a tragic train crash near Stonehaven.
Donald Smith takes the salute...Moray veteran Donald Smith celebrates his 100th Birthday at his Forres home. ..Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Boris Johnson visits Moray. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Poseidon aircraft arrives at RAF Lossiemouth...Picture: Becky Saunderson..Piper Patrick Glendinning and a small crowd gathered outisde Burghead Chruch to pay their respects to the victims of the Stonehaven Train Crash including Chris Stuchbury who has family in Burghead...Picture: Becky Saunderson..
Lastly, we took the time to celebrate the folk that make Moray great, including a whole host of MBE and BEM award-winners.
Mary Nelson has been awarded a BEM for services to homeless people in Moray...Picture: Becky Saunderson..Elgin chef Ross Burgess, who works at Gordonstoun, appeared on Masterchef: The Professionals...Picture: Becky Saunderson..Wycombe Wanderers full back Jack Grimmer visits family in Cullen after being promoted to the Championship through the League One playoff. ..Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Hannah Weir won the Community Award from The Young Scots Awards 2020 for her charity work. Cllr Louise Laing was the one who nominated her,..Picture: Becky Saunderson..Ella Langsdale completed the final two laps of her 100 lap walk around her block for CHAS, the charity who helps looks after her. ..From left Steph Whytock (Senior Staff Nurse), Amanda Riddoch (Senior Staff Nurse) and Mhairi Stirling (support worker) cheer her on across the finish line...Picture: Becky Saunderson..
Happy New Year from team Northern Scot!
Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.
