Our Interpretation Design Plan for the Forres Conservation & Heritage Scheme was created to bring local stories to life - making heritage engaging, relevant and memorable for visitors and locals alike.
We worked with a team of local people to explore and develop the town’s story, identifying creative ways to engage a range of audiences.
The Forres Interpretation Project aims to:
The Forres Interpretation Project aims to:
- Pull together the local stories into a clear narrative for the town
- Create an Interpretation Plan to lay out how the narrative is told in the town centre
- Design and implement heritage interpretation, wayfinding and creative installations in the public realm
- Create a complementary set of digital, audio and print assets unified under a new brand identity
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The strategies in the interpretation design plan aim to create new heritage experiences rather than replicating or replacing existing interpretation in the town. A new interaction 'menu' for all was devised to offer a range of ways for many new audiences to engage with the interpretive themes and narratives behind Spirit of Forres: Stories and Stone.
Interpretation will include:
- Digital entrypoint
- Gateway totems & mapboards in the historic town centre
- Boosting the use of existing maps
- An new animated AV experience to introduce the evolution of Forres over time
- Fun hands-on toolkit for schools and families
- Access to a new heritage sound trail
- New heritage inspired public art including an 'imprint' trail
- A programme of activities and events
‘The Spirit of Forres: Stories and Stone’ was developed in response to community engagement which highlighted the need for a unifying identity to connect Forres’ rich heritage, stories, trails and community initiatives. Throughout the process, the idea of the town’s ‘Spirit’ consistently emerged as a way of describing its character, reflecting the people who have shaped Forres over generations and those continuing to invest in its future. Stories represent the people, culture and experiences that define Forres, while Stone reflects the landscape and built heritage that have shaped the town over time. Together, they provide a flexible framework that unites Forres’ many stories under one shared identity.
Throughout 2026, icecream are continuing to work with the community to develop and realise the evolving interpretation design strategy.
The Forres Interpretation Project is funded by:
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This project is part-funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Grants for Heritage with thanks to the National Lottery players, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) Heritage and Place Programme, the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, for more information, visit UKSPF Prospectus and the Scottish Government via Town Centre Capital Fund, Place Based Investment Fund and Coastal Community Fund.