The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Famous clock is tock of town
A famous clock which looms over a Moray community has sprung back to life for the first time in decades.
Time has stood still for the past 20 years, according to the timepiece atop the steeple of the former Elgin South Church.
However, following an ambitious repairs project, its hands began to stir yesterday afternoon and it chimed for the first time in recent memory at 1pm.
The church was opened in 1854 and was the spiritual home to thousands of Moray people for nearly 150 years, until it was deemed surplus to requirements and closed in 2000.
Jo Maunder bought the former Church of Scotland building on South Guildry Street in 2006, with the intention of turning it into a children’s nursery.
However, that venture proved unsuccessful and she later formed plans to convert it into a climbing facility.
The building was reopened last year as the Spireroxx centre – and features a 30ft climbing wall.
After sprucing up the interior, staff began to look into restoring the clock tower. Climbing instructor and handyman, Ali MacDonald, ventured to the top of the building to inspect the damage.
Mr MacDonald said: “I went to see what was wrong with it, and it turned out not to require too much work. Other than the electrics, the parts needed oiled.”