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Nelson's Tower's crenellated top and arched windows stand against a grey sky above a gravel path.
Morayshire

Nelson's Tower

A castellated tower on Cluny Hill above Forres, raised to Admiral Nelson and opened on Trafalgar Day 1812, with a famous view from the top.

Welcome

On the summit of Cluny Hill, above the town of Forres, stands a pale tower with a castellated top.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

It was raised by the people of the district in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson, and it is one of the finest viewpoints in Moray.

The foundation stone was laid by James Brodie of Brodie in August 1806, less than a year after Trafalgar, and the tower opened on Trafalgar Day 1812 with a twenty-one gun salute. The two small cannon that fired it are said to have sailed with the fleet at Alexandria, and they still stand by the green door. Inside is a bust of Nelson, placed there in 1837.

Climb to the top deck on a clear day and the view runs right round: north over the Moray Firth to the hills of Caithness and west towards Ullapool. The tower opens every afternoon from April to September, and the Red Ensign flies from its mast when it is open.

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The Daily for 11 November, from Scotland with love. The broken stone walls of a lochside castle rise from a small tree-covered island, autumn foliage glowing orange against the dark water and forested hillside beyond.

Before you go

Open 2pm to 4pm every day from April to September; the Red Ensign flies when it is open.

Where
Cluny Hill, Forres, IV36 3BT.
Opened
Trafalgar Day, 1812.
Season
April to September, 2pm to 4pm.

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Did you know

Miniature cannons flank Nelson's Tower's green door beneath a weathered stone plaque.
Did you know

Guns from the fleet.

The two little cannon at the door fired the opening salute in 1812, and are said to have served with the fleet at Alexandria.

An inscribed stone panel sits below Nelson's Tower's crenellated parapet and arched windows.
Did you know

Opened on Trafalgar Day.

The tower opened to the public at one o'clock on 21 October 1812.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Moray

Standing high above the rooftops of Forres, this three-storey tower was built between 1806 and 1812, as a memorial to Admiral Nelson in the aftermath of the Battle of Trafalgar. The four-pounder cannons that were fired to mark its opening still stand at the entrance door, and visitors can also admire show-stopping 360-degree views from the top deck.

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Where it is

On top of Cluny Hill above Forres, IV36 3BT.

Close byForres.
  1. Cafe 1496 on Forres High Street, a white shopfront with gold lettering, a wreath on the door and blue tables outside.Cafe 1496A busy cafe on Forres High Street serving breakfast all day, every day, with locally roasted coffee and home bakes.Under a mile 3 min by road
  2. ULY + RO, ForresAn independent shop of design-led homeware and gifts on Forres High Street.Under a mile 3 min by road
  3. Sueno’s StoneSueno’s StoneThe great carved stone at Forres.1 mile 4 min by road
  4. Rodney's Stone standing in a small wattle-fenced enclosure on the lawn by the drive to Brodie Castle, a walker passing.Rodney’s StoneA tall Pictish cross-slab of grey sandstone standing beside the drive to Brodie Castle, carved with a cross, serpents and Pictish symbols.4 miles 9 min by road
  5. Brodie CastleBrodie CastleThe Brodies' castle west of town.5 miles 12 min by road
  6. FindhornFindhornThe sailing village on the bay.6 miles 12 min by road
Directions
Turreted castle with crow-stepped gables overlooking a striped lawn and gravel driveAttractionsThe Playful Garden4.5 miles
Wooden houses with red-framed windows line a quiet coastal laneAttractionsFindhorn Ecovillage4.6 miles
Brown signpost reading "Sluie Walk" surrounded by ferns and woodlandAttractionsSluie Walk5.2 miles
Seared scallops and black pudding rounds encircle rice in a herb sauceRestaurantsCrown & Anchor Inn5.5 miles
Picnic tables and a striped kiosk beside a paddleboard on the shoreRestaurantsThe Captain's Table5.8 miles
Wildlife Boat Trip from Findhorn Marina, MorayshireActivityNorth 58 Sea Adventures5.9 miles
Water Taxi to Culbin Sands, MorayshireActivityWater Taxi to Culbin Sands5.9 miles
Row of colourful wooden beach huts on a pebbled shore under grey skiesAttractionsFindhorn Beach5.9 miles
Culbin Edge, Inverness-shireBrodieCulbin EdgeSleeps 4 · 6.0 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the tower, and when each is next free.

Culbin Edge, Inverness-shireCulbin Edge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Brodie
  • 5 miles from Nelson's Tower
Free 11–13 NovThe timber cabin lit at dusk against a pink sky, a hot tub steaming on the deck beside two chairs.Callie Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Pluscarden
  • 7 miles from Nelson's Tower
Free 16–19 NovA curved cabin clad in overlapping wooden shingles stands on gravel among wildflowers, arched windows and a door along one side.Boath Cabin
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Nairn
  • 8 miles from Nelson's Tower
Free 11–14 NovA yellow-harled tower house with battlements flies a flag above conical yew trees and a lawn.Innes House
  • Sleeps 38
  • In Elgin
  • 15 miles from Nelson's Tower
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in MorayshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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