Interpretation is about bringing places to life - making heritage and local stories relevant and memorable.
As part of the Forres Conservation and Heritage Scheme, icecream architecture is working with a team of local people to develop the town’s story so it can be told to locals and visitors in creative ways.
The Forres Interpretation Project will:
- 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 a Style Guide for the look of future installations.
As part of the Forres Conservation and Heritage Scheme, icecream architecture is working with a team of local people to develop the town’s story so it can be told to locals and visitors in creative ways.
The Forres Interpretation Project will:
- 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 a Style Guide for the look of future installations.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, your ideas and input will help shape the project and interpretation outcomes.
Share your stories and feedback here
What is Interpretation?
Interpretation is the way we share the stories, history, and meaning of a place with the public. In the context of the Forres Conservation Area, interpretation helps people understand why the town’s historic buildings, streets, and landmarks are important, and how they have shaped the character and identity of Forres over time.
This might include panels or signs that explain the history of a particular building, walking trails that highlight key sites, digital resources that bring the past to life through audio or images, or creative activities that engage local people and visitors alike. Good interpretation not only presents facts—it connects people emotionally to the place, encouraging care and pride in its preservation.
In Forres, interpretation plays a key role in celebrating the town’s unique heritage, supporting learning, tourism, and community involvement, and ensuring that the special qualities of the Conservation Area are recognised and protected for future generations.
Examples of some Interpretation Outputs:
Some examples of local Interpretation already available in Forres are contained in the Forres Connected - Culture and Heritage PDF from 2024, including the excellent Fantastic Forres project, which details the local stories and history for children. The current Forres Interpretation Project will focus on how the local story can be told through new installations within the Forres Conservation Area and digitally online.
You can download the 2024 PDF here:
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.