Forres is a parish in the north-west of Morayshire. It is bounded by the estuary of the Findhorn, and by the parishes of Kinloss, Rafford, Edinkillie, and Dyke and Moy. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Balnageith, Forres, Seafield
Burdyards
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The church of Forres was dedicated to St Laurence. Within the bound was a chapel of St Leonard, and another called the chapel of Logie. Fairs of St Laurence and St Malrubh were held annually at Forres. (1928: Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, by Hew Scott, D. D.)
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
(1928: Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, by Hew Scott, D. D.)
Parish registers turned over to the Registrar-General, as a result of the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (Scotland) Act of 1854. The letters B. D. and M. indicate Births (or Baptisms), Deaths (or Burials), and Marriages (or Proclamations of Banns) respectively. Numbers indicate separate volumes or books. Note: These records are by no means complete or without damage; consult the Detailed List of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland (1872) to learn more about the condition of the records.
| OPR and RD Numbers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date Range | Name | Number | Type |
| 1675-1854 | Forres | 137 | OPR |
| 1855-1855 | Forres Burgh | 137-1 | RD |
| 1855-1855 | Forres Landward | 137-2 | RD |
| 1856-1971 | Forres | 137 | RD |
| 1972-2005 | Forres | 281 | RD |
| 2009 | Moray Council, Forres | 281 | RD |
| 2026 | Moray Council; Forres Community Council | ||
(2009: Parishes and Registration Districts of Scotland - Old and New, National Records of Scotland)
Local community councils (2026) are provided as a potential source of additional information for settlements within the original boundaries of the parish. (Source)
Statistics from informal and official censuses
Anderson, Cameron, Fraser, Grant, Munro, Robertson, Ross, Smith, Stewart, Taylor
Note: Names appearing in research materials, other than censuses. Simple names (First name, surname only) have been omitted unless they appear associated with large properties. All women's names, and men's names with occupations, military ranks, or peerage titles are included.
By the Reverend Mr John M'Donnel, Minister.
"From an actual survey lately made, the number of inhabitants was found to be 2987; of which number there are 1341 males, and 1646 females; 2398 reside in the town, 589 reside in the country. There are 18 farmers residing in town, and 43 in the country, many of whom, especially those in town, hold very small possessions. There are 56 shoemakers, 4 of whom reside in the country; 33 weavers, 8 of whom reside in the country, 25 tailors, 2 of whom reside in the country; 6 blacksmiths, 58 journeymen and apprentices. There are in Forres 60 merchants and shopkeepers.
The inhabitants in general are disposed to industry. No manufactures of public importance are carried on in or about Forres, except what supplies the town and its vicinity. The spinning of linen yarn has for 20 years back brought a considerable supply of money to this country. The spinning of yarn, and manufacturing, such of it as may be necessary for domestic purposes, has employed a considerable number of women, whose earnings have been of great advantage to themselves, and beneficial to the public."
(This section contains excerpts, at times restructured or paraphrased, from an article appearing in Statistical Account of Scotland, Sir John Sinclair, 1791-1799)
Primary Sources:
Statistical Account of Scotland (1791-1799), Volume 17, p. 447
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 13, Section II, p. 145
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
