Undiscovered Scotland

 

Fochabers can be found on the east side of the River Spey, near where it is crossed by the A96. This is the nearest point to the sea at which the Spey is bridged, if you ignore a bridge built to carry a long-disused railway that continued to serve as a footbridge until its collapse in recent times.

Fochabers, with a population of some 1,700, is not a large settlement, but it is very attractive one that offers visitors a selection fine buildings to enjoy. It is also a key stopping off point on the route of the Speyside Way long distance path from Buckie to Aviemore.

Fochabers has become a much quieter and more attractive place since the opening at the beginning of 2012 of a bypass. This carries the A96 to the north and east of the village, and takes away the through traffic that once thundered along the High Street. As a result it is much easier to appreciate the splendour of the place. (Continues below images...)

 

Its focus is a large grassy square in the centre of the village. The fine Georgian Bellie Parish Church on the south-west side of the square is especially striking, complete with its clock-tower dated 1798. In front of this you find an impressive if, whenever we've visited, non-functioning fountain.

From the centre of the north-west side of the main square, a road leads to the Gordon Chapel, complete with small twin spires at its corners. Another particularly fine piece of architecture lies a little to the east of the centre of the village where the High Street leads you past Milne's Primary School. This looks more like a stately home or a college at a grand university than a primary school.

Another church on the High Street - this time no longer used for its original purpose - houses the Fochabers Folk Museum. This covers a range of subjects from natural history to local history, and makes an excellent visit if the weather isn't up to outdoor activities.

Add in two hotels, the Grant Arms and the Gordon Arms, and a range of other shops and services and the end result is a rather lovely place that it is well worth making the very slight detour off the A96 to visit.