Dr Nicol

This marble bust of Dr John Inglis Nicol, by Andrew Davidson, is on display in the main hall of Inverness Town House.<br /> <br /> John Nicol was born at Teawig near Beauly in 1788. He was apprenticed to Dr Kennedy in Inverness but finished his professional education in London. The degree of M.D. was conferred on him by the University of Tubingen in Germany. He came back to work as a medical practitioner in Inverness in 1812. <br /> <br /> Dr Nicol took a keen interest in municipal affairs and served as provost from 1840 to 1843. He worked particularly hard to improve the cleanliness and sewage system in the town.<br /> <br /> An earlier family member, William Inglis, served as provost from1797 to 1800. <br /> <br /> Dr Nicol studied chemistry and agriculture. His farm at Campfield was the scene of experiments in cultivation and crop testing. Campfield no longer exists but it was in the area of Inverness which now includes Ladies Walk. He also inherited a small woollen mill, Holm Mills, on the banks of the River Ness. He turned round the failing business, adding new buildings and machinery. A much improved manufacturing process produced fine quality fabrics. <br /> <br /> Dr Nicol died of cholera, contracted while attending his patients, in 1849.