The Building of the Tower
The foundation stone of Nelson Tower was laid on
the 26th August, 1806 by James Brodie of Brodie.
The Provincial Grand Master Mason with his Grand
Masters and Chaplain proceeded from St. Laurence Lodge, accompanied by
the Forres Volunteers, sailors carrying naval flags, the Right
Worshipful Masters and Brethren of the Lodges of St. John and St.
Laurence, the Provost and Magistrates of the Burgh, many of the
subscribers, and a detachment of the Forres Rifle Corps as bodyguard.
Coins and a parchment scroll were placed under the stone.
After a speech and prayer, the Volunteers fired
three volleys in the air, then the procession returned to town for a
celebration at Maclean’s Inn.
The subscriptions were short of the required
amount, and additional appeals were made in 1807 and 1810. On Trafalgar
Day, 21st October, 1812, at 1.00 pm:-
“The flag was hoisted on Trafalgar Tower and a
salute of twenty—one rounds fired from a couple of four pounders lately
presented by Mr. Lillie of Forres and Mr. Archibald Leslie of London.
These two cannon, it is said, were with the Fleet at the bombardment of
Alexandria.”
These cannon still sit at the entrance door of the
Tower.
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