Fochabers, Scotland

[xoxoxoBruce]

In a food thread they were discussing Baxter's soup and Limey pointed out it's made in Fochabers, Scotland.
Looking at the link, keeping in mind the official village website will be presenting their best face, the village looked quite impressive with big stone buildings and ornate primary school that looks like a castle. But then I read the village has a population of 1600....say what? Only 1600?

Then I figured the village must be augmented by a lot of people living in the surrounding countryside, suburbs, if you will. But looking at the map, there seems to be a number of other villages in the area sharing the "suburbanites".

I guess the answer is age. The Georgian church is dated 1798. An advantage to being old is substantial buildings, built to last, will tend to accumulate and be adapted to current needs. One of the churches has become a museum. Of course an ugly, substantially built building, will haunt you for a long time.