Fochabers
Encyclopedia
Moray
Moray is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland.- History :...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, not far from the cathedral city of Elgin
Elgin, Moray
Elgin is a former cathedral city and Royal Burgh in Moray, Scotland. It is the administrative and commercial centre for Moray. The town originated to the south of the River Lossie on the higher ground above the flood plain. Elgin is first documented in the Cartulary of Moray in 1190...
and located on the east bank of the River Spey
River Spey
The River Spey is a river in the northeast of Scotland, the second longest and the fastest-flowing river in Scotland...
. Around 2,000 people live in the village, which enjoys a rich musical and cultural history. The village is also home to Baxters
Baxters
Baxters is an international food company, based in Fochabers, Scotland. It has its roots in a grocer's shop opened by George Baxter in 1868. Baxter's shop became known for supplying pickles and preserves in the early 20th century, when George's son and daughter-in-law began preparing their own...
, the family-run manufacturer of foodstuffs.
Its name may be from Gaelic 'feith' meaning a bog and 'aber' meaning 'river-mouth'. It is pronounced FO-ha-brz with the accent on the first syllable; the 'o' is pronounced as in 'got'.
The village owes its existence to Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon
Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon
Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon KT , styled Marquess of Huntly until 1752, was a Scottish nobleman, described by Kaimes as the "greatest subject in Britain", and was also known as the Cock o' the North, the traditional epithet attached to the chief of the Gordon clan.-Early life:Alexander...
(1743–1827). During the late 18th century, during the Scottish Enlightenment
Scottish Enlightenment
The Scottish Enlightenment was the period in 18th century Scotland characterised by an outpouring of intellectual and scientific accomplishments. By 1750, Scots were among the most literate citizens of Europe, with an estimated 75% level of literacy...
, it was fashionable for landowners to found new towns and villages, and these can be found all over Scotland because unlike their predecessors they all have straight, wide streets in mainly rectangular layouts, a central square, and the houses built with their main elevations parallel to the street. The tenants benefited from more spacious homes, and the Duke, it has to be said, benefited from not having the hoi polloi living in hovels right on the doorstep of Gordon Castle. Fochabers was founded in 1776, and is one of the best examples of a planned village. It is a conservation area, with most of the buildings in the High Street listed as being of historical or architectural interest.
There are two schools in Fochabers, Milne's Primary School (formerly Milne's Institution) and Milne's High School
Milne's High School
Milne's High School is a secondary school, located in the village of Fochabers, Moray.The school's feeder primaries are Milne's Primary School, Lhanbryde Primary School and Mosstodloch Primary School....
, which currently serves approximately 600 pupils from Fochabers itself and the surrounding villages. Milne's Institution was originally built in accordance with Alexander Milne's Last Will and Testament, using money ($100,000) he left for this purpose.
For nearly three decades, the people of Fochabers campaigned for a bypass, as the village is situated on the A96
A96 road
The A96 is a major road in the North of Scotland.It runs generally west/north-west from Aberdeen, bypassing Kintore, Inverurie, Huntly and Forres, and running through Keith, Fochabers, Elgin and Nairn...
, the only direct route from Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
to Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
, and consequently suffers from serious traffic problems. Construction work on a bypass for Fochabers and the neighbouring village of Mosstodloch
Mosstodloch
Mosstodloch is a small village in Moray, Scotland, lying near the A96 between Fochabers and Elgin on the west bank of the River Spey.Construction work on a bypass for Mosstodloch and the neighbouring village of Fochabers, costing £31.5m, started in February 2010 and the Mosstodloch section opened...
started on 2 February 2010 and should be completed in Spring 2012, at a cost of £31.5m. The project was significantly delayed due to conflict regarding the proposed route, and discovery of a Neolithic settlement on the site of the bypass.
Notable Fochaberians
- John M CaieJohn M CaieJohn Morrison Caie was a Scottish civil servant and poet.Caie was born and raised in Fochabers. He was the son of the Rev W.S. Caie, minister of Enzie parish church, in Banffshire. He was educated at Milne's Institute in Fochabers, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen...
-- author of The Puddock - Alexander Milne (1742–1838) -- Scottish-American entrepreneur and philanthropist
- William Marshall (Scottish composer)William Marshall (Scottish composer)William Marshall is regarded as one of the greatest composers of Scottish fiddle music.Marshall was born in Fochabers, Scotland. He entered the service of the Duke of Gordon, eventually becoming the Factor to the Gordon Estate. James Hunter's The Fiddle Music of Scotland credits Marshall with...
(1748–1833) - Arthur Robertson CushnyArthur Robertson CushnyPhysician Arthur Robertson Cushny , attended a local rural school until he enrolled at the University of Aberdeen and received an M.A. in 1866. Then in 1889 he graduated from medical studies at Marischal College, Aberdeen, receiving C.M., M.B. and M.D...
FRS (1866–1926) -- Professor of Pharmacology at Universities of Michigan, USA, London and Edinburgh. Pioneer in the study of human renal function - George ChalmersGeorge ChalmersGeorge Chalmers was a Scottish antiquarian and political writer.-Biography:Chalmers was born at Fochabers, Moray, in 1742. His father, James Chalmers, was a grandson of George Chalmers of Pittensear, a small estate in the parish of Lhanbryde, now St Andrews-Lhanbryde, in Moray, owned by the family...
(1742–1825) -- Antiquarian and political writer - Sir Ashley Watson Mackintosh KCVO FRCP (1868–1937) -- Benefactor to Milne's Institution, Fochabers. Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Aberdeen. Honorary Physician in Scotland to HM King George V
- Jane Maxwell (1748–1812) -- fourth Duchess of GordonDuke of GordonThe title Duke of Gordon has been created once in the Peerage of Scotland and again in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.The Dukedom, named after the Clan Gordon, was first created for the 4th Marquess of Huntly, who on 3 November 1684 was created Duke of Gordon, Marquess of Huntly, Earl of Huntly...
- Jean Christie -- fifth Duchess of Gordon
- Charles Webster (1814–1890) -- Plant Breeder and Horticulturist, Head Gardener to the Dukes of Richmond & Gordon
- John RussellJohn Russell-Politicians:* John Russell , MP for Herefordshire and Speaker of the House of Commons.* John E. Russell , U.S. Representative from Massachusetts* John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford -Politicians:* John Russell (speaker) (died 1497), MP for Herefordshire and Speaker of the House of Commons.* John E....
(1819–1893) -- Still-life and Wildlife Artist. Leading painter of Spey salmon of the Victorian era - Sir James Sivewright KCMG (1848–1916) -- Telegraph and Railway Pioneer in South Africa, Cape Colony Politician and member of Cecil Rhodes' Cabinet
- Sir James CantlieJames CantlieSir James Cantlie was a Scottish physician. He was a pioneer of First Aid, which in 1875 was unknown: even the police had no knowledge of basic techniques such as how to stop serious bleeding and applying splints...
FRCS KBE (1851–1926) -- Co-founder of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and HygieneRoyal Society of Tropical Medicine and HygieneThe Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene was founded in 1907 by Sir James Cantlie and George Carmichael Low. Sir Patrick Manson, the Society's first President is generally acknowledged as the father of tropical medicine. He passed the presidency on to the Nobel laureate Sir Ronald Ross ,... - William MackenzieWilliam MackenzieWilliam Mackenzie may refer to:* William Mackenzie , Scottish ophthalmologist* William Mackenzie , British civil engineering contractor...
(1882–1947) -- Banker and Gold Fields Pioneer, South Africa - Fiona MackenzieFiona MackenzieFiona J Mackenzie is a Gaelic singer from Dingwall in Scotland, and has toured and performed throughout Europe and North America. In 2005 she won the An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal at the Royal National Mod in Stornoway.-Career:...
(1961-) -- Gaelic Singer and Mod Gold Medal winner from Orton, Fochabers