Aberdeenshire streets to be named after doctor and philanthropist

A well-respected doctor and Scottish philanthropist are to have new Aberdeenshire streets named in their honour.

Five street names were needed for a new housing development on Duthie Road in Tarves.

Suggestions had been put forward by local residents, Tarves Community Council and Aberdeenshire Council officers.

The proposed street names were considered by the Formartine Area Committee on Tuesday, February 8.

Laing was submitted by a resident as a tribute to the much admired village doctor.

The name was supported by Tarves Community Council and received permission from Dr Laing’s relatives to be used.

Carnegie was proposed by the Community Council to celebrate philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

After Tarves was the first country parish in the region to adopt the Free Library Act Mr Cairnegie donated £100 to the trustees of the Melvin Hall to enable them to build an extension to form a library.

The library opened in 1875 and the room is still available for use today.

The names Melvin and Corbett were also put forward by the Community Council.

Melvin was suggested after the former Tarves School headmaster who gifted money in his will to enable the Melvin Hall to open while Corbett was proposed after a benefactor to the Tarves Heritage Centre.

A fifth name, Drumfinnie, was also put forward by the Community Council however as it takes its name from a local hill and not a person it was not considered by the committee.

Councillor Andrew Hassan thanked the Community Council for their suggestions and said: “These are all relevant people to Tarves who have done excellent service to the community.”

Following debate Laing Avenue, Carnegie Way, Melvin Rise and Corbett Grove were all unanimously approved by the committee.