Fochabers

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Fochabers
gaelic_name= Fachabair or Fothabair
scots_name=
population = 1,499
os_grid_reference= NJ345585
latitude=57.612168
longitude=-3.097109
map_type=Scotland
unitary_scotland= Moray
lieutenancy_scotland= Moray
constituency_westminster= Moray: Angus Robertson, Scottish National Party
constituency_scottish_parliament= Moray: Richard Lochhead, Scottish National Party
post_town= Fochabers
postcode_district = IV32
postcode_area= IV
dial_code= 01343

Fochabers is a village in the Parish of Bellie, in Moray, Scotland, not far from the cathedral city of Elgin and located on the east bank of the River Spey. Around 2,000 people live in the village, which enjoys a rich musical and cultural history. The village is also home to Baxters [http://www.baxters.com] , the family-run manufacturer of foodstuffs.

There are two schools in Fochabers, Milne's Primary School (formerly Milne's Institution) and Milne's High 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 some time the people of Fochabers have been campaigning for a town bypass, as the village is situated on the A96, the only direct route from Aberdeen to Inverness, and consequently suffers from a serious traffic problem. After nearly twenty years of campaigning, however, the village remains without a bypass. The Scottish Executive announced on 17 March 2005 that it had approved construction of a bypass to the north of the village. Work will begin in 2008 and should be completed by 2010, at a cost of £18-21m. The decision follows an Inquiry in 2003, which focused on the loss of part of the designed landscape of Gordon Castle and the environmental impacts on adjacent properties. The bypass will also provide relief for Mosstodloch to the west.

Notable Fochaberians

* John M Caie -- author of "The Puddock"
* Alexander Milne (1742 - 1838) -- Scottish-American entrepreneur and philanthropist
* William Marshall (Scottish composer) (1748 - 1833)
* Arthur Robertson Cushny FRS (1866 - 1926) -- Professor of Pharmacology at Universities of Michigan, USA, London and Edinburgh. Pioneer in the study of renal function in man
* George Chalmers (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 Gordon
* Jean Christie -- fifth Duchess of Gordon
* Charles Webster (1814 - 1890) -- Plant Breeder and Horticulturist, Head Gardener to the Dukes of Richmond & Gordon
* John Russell (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 Cantlie FRCS KBE (1851 - 1926) -- Co-founder of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
* William Mackenzie (1882 - 1947) -- Banker and Gold Fields Pioneer, South Africa

ee also

Aber and Inver as place-name elements

External links

* [http://www.moray.gov.uk/census_2001/uvtownspop_fochabers.htm Census data]
* [http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/defaultpage1221cde0.aspx?pageID=180&rlID=62 Bypass information from Transport Scotland]
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