Teddy reopens Moray attraction
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A nine-year-old boy stood for over an hour in the rain to make sure he was the first person to visit Nelson's Tower.
The monument which overlooks Forres re-opened on Saturday for the first time since before the Coronavirus pandemic hit.
Teddy Gadalla, who used to be a regular visitor, made sure he was at the head of the queue.
He said: "I was very excited when I found out it was opening.
"I used to come here every other week and I've missed it.
"I still came up to Cluny Hill while the tower was shut, but I was excited to be able to go up the tower again."
Teddy, who attends Drumduan School, visited with his grandma Nahed Gadalla.
She said: "I got a call from his mum saying Teddy was excited about it re-opening so he dragged me up the hill.
"He wanted to make sure he was first so we came up early."
Teddy and his grandma climbed up with Forres Heritage volunteer Michael Ellison
The rain cleared and the sun came out once they reached the top.
Michael then allowed Teddy to help raise the red ensign which signifies that the tower is open again.
Michael said: "I have been volunteering with the trust for four years.
"It’s great to be able to help people see the view and share the history of Nelson's Tower.
"It was also great to arrive on re-opening day to a steady queue of people.
"It was quite emotional raising the flag for the first time in almost two years. It’s great to be back."
Nelson’s Tower had not been open since it closed for the season in September 2019.
The monument was built in 1806 by public subscription – more than 30 years before Nelson's Column in London.
It was erected to honour Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson who had died the year before at the Battle of Trafalgar.
As well as inflicting a heavy defeat on the French navy, the battle also put pay to Napoleon's plans to invade Britain.
Laurie Piper is the chief executive of Moray Speyside Tourism, which supported the trust with advice on how to re-open the monument safely.
He said: "Nelson's Tower is one of the most prominent visitor attractions in Forres.
"It was great to see the heritage trust volunteers so happy to welcome visitors back."
The tower which stands on Cluny Hill in Grant Park is open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 2pm-4pm until the end of September.
To find out more about it and about volunteering with the trust visit www.forresheritage.co.uk
