Moray’s second world war heritage and historical military connections are set to be promoted as a tourist attraction.
Defences designed to keep the country safe in the event of invasion in the 1939-1945 conflict remain remarkably intact throughout the region, with many seen as the best preserved anti-invasion sites anywhere in Scotland.
These include a series of pillboxes hidden away amongst the trees at Lossie Forest, where a six-inch gun emplacement remains intact alongside hundreds of anti-tank cubes.
That site was visited this week by Moray’s MSP Richard Lochhead, who met with Forestry Commission Scotland’s director Bob McIntosh and the Commission’s Archaeologist, Matt Rtichie.
Also highlighted were Culbin and Roseisle forests and their unique military connections with a whole range of easily identifiable defences and which could be better promoted for tourism and educational use.
Mr Lochhead said: “We spoke at length about how we can make local folk more aware of the fantastic heritage that’s right here on our doorstep, as well as how we can attract visitors from further afield.
“The Forestry Commission has agreed to look again at how to use Lossie Forest to its maximum potential given that the impressive coastal defences remain there and tell a fascinating story about Moray’s role during World War Two.
“Lossie Forest is eye opening experience and it’s quite incredible that many people simply don’t know that the coastal defences are there. These defences are such an important part of our local history and it’s important that we preserve that and encourage people to see with their own eyes part of our heritage.
“I’ll be keeping in touch with the Forestry Commission to raise awareness and ensure we do all we can to attract people to the area. In the meantime, I would encourage people in Moray and from further afield to pay the forest a visit and enjoy seeing at first hand such incredible heritage as well as enjoying fresh air and exercise at the same time.”