Fochabers

Fochabers lies on the main Aberdeen-Inverness road the A96, situated about 8 miles east of Elgin, it has a population of 1,500. The present Fochabers dates from 1776, it was built on the present site by the 4th Duke of Gordon, replacing an earlier settlement close to the Gordon Castle. The old burgh of Fochabers was created in the late 16th century at a crossing on the Spey, it was in a state of some decay with many of the houses being ruinous. The modern planned village is now a spacious settlement built around a square dominated by the classical steeple Bellie Church built in 1798 it gives the south side of the square a classical Georgian elegance. On the shores of the Moray Firth there are thought to be around 150 bottle-nose dolphins, it is possible to see groups of them up to 20 at a time, on calm days they can be seen jumping and playing in the bays.

Gordon Castle

Gordon Castle, was designed by John Baxter in 1796 for the Duke of Gordon. In its heyday it was probably the finest example of a Georgian House in Scotland. It replaced an earlier castle built by George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly. The house was enlarged in the 18th century by his grandson into a magnificent Renaissance Palace.

Baxter's of Speyside

To the West of Fochabers is Baxter's of Speyside, the food processing and canning factory which produces a famous brand of Royal game soup and other delicacies. Originally located in Spey Street, the factory was transferred to Mosstodloch in 1916. The Visitors Centre opened in 1986 and includes a demonstration theatre, it explains the Baxter story, also a guide Tour of the factory and the production of the range of Scottish foods.

Fochabers Today

Today many of the buildings in Fochabers are much as they were when the village was built 200 years ago due to the High Street being made a Conservation Area. The former Milne's High School, at the eastern end of the High Street is an example of Victorian architecture designed by Elgin Architect Thomas Mackenzie in 1846. Other buildings of interest in Fochabers is the Gothic style Episcopal Chapel designed by Archibald Simpson in 1834 and of course the Bellie Church built in 1798. The Bellie Churchyard, which houses the tomb of Jean Christie, second wife of the 4th Duke of Gordon. Fochabers Folk Museum occupies Pringle Church in the High Street the museum houses the largest collection of horsedrawn vehicles in the North-east of Scotland. Christies Garden Centre includes an aviary, floral clock and the white peacocks. Parts of rural Moray lies to either side of River Spey, the infamous salmon fishing river of the North of Scotland.