Former Forres Academy teacher Mr Don Hilditch passes away aged 97
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A WELL known local teacher, sportsman, historian and family man has died at the age of 97.
Don Hilditch - husband of the late Irene, father of Graham, father-in-law of Caroline, grandad of Elise and Graham, and great grandad of Brodie and Finlay - passed away at Cathay Nursing Home, Thursday, May 26.
Don was born in Cheshire in 1924 and went on to study science at Manchester University.
He served in the RAF during the Second World War as a Met Officer, flying mainly in Catalina and Sunderland flying boats.
During his time as a serviceman, he met Irene and settled in Moray, which he loved.
Don qualified at teachers training college in Aberdeen after the war and taught at Forres Academy for many years. He finished his teaching career in Elgin. Don taught science but was also well known to pupils for helping to run golf and football teams.
Don was a talented footballer himself and had the chance to join Manchester United in his father’s footsteps but instead chose a career in teaching.
He played for both Elgin City and Forres Mechanics, scoring one of the Highland league's fastest goals against Clach.
After Don retired, he grew heathers for many years and became somewhat of an authority on the subject.
He loved nature, was a keen gardener and won many awards.
He was also an enthusiastic fisherman and president of the Forres Angling Association. Don and Irene both loved the outdoors and spent happy times on the river Findhorn.
Laterly, Don took a great interest in stamp collecting and postal history, writing a book on the postal history of Morayshire.
