Forres

Forres is a town and former royal burgh in Moray, Scotland. Located on the River Findhorn in the northeast of the country, it sits inland from the Moray Firth and serves as a local hub for the surrounding rural area. The town has a long association with trade and local governance.

Forres has medieval origins and grew as a market town that served agricultural communities in the surrounding countryside. Its historic core centers on Market Square, where late 18th- and early 19th-century buildings reflect the town’s development as a local commercial centre.

Key landmarks in Forres include the Falconer Museum, which houses exhibits on local history and natural history, and Forres House Gardens, a public garden adjacent to the town centre. The town also features a traditional market environment, with a historic town hall and other civic buildings contributing to its character.

The local economy is primarily service-based, with retail and public services supporting the surrounding hinterland, along with agriculture and some tourism. Forres is situated on the A96 road, providing a route between Inverness and Aberdeen, and has a railway station on the Aberdeen–Inverness line offering regular services to Inverness and Aberdeen. Bus services connect Forres with neighboring towns and villages.

Nearby attractions and landscape shape the visitor experience. The town lies near the coast and Findhorn Bay, with access to Culbin Forest and Culbin Sands to the east. The Findhorn area offers nature reserves, walking routes, and opportunities to explore coastal ecosystems and wildlife.