Heritage trail launched in Aberlour to boost local economy
A HERITAGE trail has been launched in Aberlour to help boost the local economy.
The project, designed by a sub-committee of the Aberlour Community Association, will offer residents and visitors the opportunity to follow a free, self-guided tour of the village.
Over the coming weeks, the trail will be marked by a number of golden plaques each with a QR code.
Each code, once scanned, will give access to a website providing key facts and images of that particular location's past.
The aim is to keep the village's history alive while also increasing footfall in the village.
Ben Hinnie, Aberlour Community Association Trustee, said: "The coronavirus pandemic caused disruption to commerce in the village as well as a significant drop in visitor numbers to Speyside.
"While whisky and fishing are the major attractions in the area, the trail will help local residents find out more about their village's history and assist local businesses by increasing tourist footfall."
The project was launched after locals expressed concerns that the history of the village was being lost to younger generations as the population continues to grow.
However, the trail will raise awareness of the benefactors who funded and developed the model village created by Charles Grant in 1812.
The route will also be made easy to follow with the help of a free guide map which will be available to pick up in High Street businesses.
Sarah Fraser, who owns The Gather'n café in the village square, has welcomed the idea.
She said: "We're really pleased to have a plaque at the entrance to The Gather’n.
"It’s an excellent idea that brings together the village in a simple format for visitors to explore."
The QR texts on each plaque are being translated into German, Spanish and Doric to make them accessible to visitors.
And trail organisers are keen to hear from the local population to create 'alternative narratives' about the sites on the tour.
"We invite contributions from the public of factual information, memories, anecdotes and historic photographs and documents which can be added to the bank of historical information about Aberlour," Mr Hinnie added.
A second heritage project is also being launched in the village in the form of the Aberlour Memories Archive.
The aim of the initiative, funded by The Doric Board, is to gather and preserve people’s memories and stories of life in Aberlour and Speyside and to document the changes they have experienced over the years.
The archive about life in and around Aberlour will be used as a resource for current and future generations living in the area.
