The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
High street voted Scotland’s most beautiful
A Moray town is celebrating after its high street was named the most beautiful in Scotland.
Forres was up against 10 other places including Banff, Elgin and Fort William. The town received 880 votes in a public ballot ahead of Moffat which secured 751 votes. Banff finished seventh on 270 votes, Elgin was eighth on 221 and Fort William came in ninth place with 157 votes.
The results were announced during the Scotland’s Towns conference.
Representatives of Forres Area Forum picked up the accolade at the event in Paisley yesterday.
Forres councillor and Moray Council leader George Alexander has praised the town’s shopkeepers, volunteers and community groups for helping land the award.
He said: “As a Forres councillor I’m ecstatic that Forres won. It’s a tribute to the efforts of the volunteers involved and particularly those who are responsible for the fantastic floral displays on the high street.”
SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said: “I wish to congratulate Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Keep Scotland Beautiful on the success of the first Scotland’s Most Beautiful High Street competition.
“The 10 shortlisted entries were of a high standard and a big congratulations must go to Forres on winning the title through the public vote.”
The Most Beautiful High Street Competition was organised by Scotland’s Town Partnership and environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.
It celebrates the contribution of Scotland’s high streets and recognises the efforts made to make these spaces clean, attractive, accessible, vibrant and inclusive for all to enjoy.