Druminnor, Formerly Castle Forbes: an Investigation Int Originae Oth L Building of a Mid-Fifteenth-Century Palace House

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Druminnor, Formerly Castle Forbes: an Investigation Int Originae Oth L Building of a Mid-Fifteenth-Century Palace House DRUMINNOR, FORMERLY CASTLE FORBES: AN INVESTIGATION INT ORIGINAE OTH L BUILDING OF A MID-FIFTEENTH-CENTURY PALACE HOUSE . GORDObH y N SLADE, F.S.A.SCOT. FROM at least 1270 Druminnor was the seat of the ancient family of Forbes whose head is the holder of the premier barony of Scotland. It remained in the family, passing alway direce th n si t male line until 1770 than I . t yea deterioratioe th r f no famile th y finances cam heaa James d o et d an , 17th Lord Forbes forces , wa selo dt l intendeestatess e th wa t I .d tha Keare tth n portio estatee th f no s shoul preservee db d e familyfoth r , for, althoug e mosth t t valuablehno t stooi n o d, Druminnore th , ancient Duthus. The purchaser was John Forbes of Newe but instead of holding it behal n famile o th himself e fo yh forces fwa d through financial troublet i sello sd t ,an passed to his son-in-law, Robert Grant of Rothemaise. It remained in the Grant family for nearly two hundred years, passing twice through the female line, until the estate was finally broken up in 1954. Druminnor was then acquired by the late the Hon. Margaret Forbes-Sempill who was descended in the fifteenth generation from Alexander, ist Lord Forbes e originath , r he l s entirel i o buildert t i e d ydu an ; enthusias hard man d work thapresene th t t investigatio bees nha n possible. Period i (c. 1271-2) Although tradition ascribes the first building of Druminnor to Ochonochar, the thir thaf do t name, some time before A.D. 1000 earliese th , t dat citee eb thas da n tca perioa likelf do y buildin thin gi s are s 1271-2ai , when, accordin Joho gt n Skene, Alexande I granteII r Duncao dt n Forbe land e tenementd th s an s Forbef o s d an s Kearn.1 This is the first known charter in the name of Forbes and was in the hands famile ofth y until 1730. Subsequen representew no thio s t i t slosts d datdan ,wa t ei b ylata e sixteenth-century copy made apparently for John Lorh 8t , d Forbes, some time before I593-2 Whatever may have existed before, by 1300 it is probably safe to assume that Druminnor took the form of a simple earth and timber castle and stood about a mile presene th f o . t buildingN e hala th o d ft .an name Th e 'Druminnor', deriving fro Celtice mth meaningd an , , 'Ridge th f eo Confluence', ridge referth eo t s betwee Keare nth n Bur Bogid nan e Water. Whilst t particularlthino s si y applicabl presene th o t e t appropriats siti t ei aree th ao t e know Castlehills na fare thif mTh o . s name stands abou quartea t f mila o f . o reS the junction of these two streams, but at the point of confluence there is a mound 1 Skene, Antiquities, , 372IV . 2 This copy forme firse dth t Registrume iteth mn i followsdes a Forbess i d :an 'John, Lord Forbes (the 8th) for verification of ye ancientie of his house, produceis ane charter granted be King Alexander to Duncan of Forbes, his predecessor, of all and haill ye landis of Forbes and Kearn. To be haldin immediateli saie y df eo Kin g Alexande successorss hi frie d ean an r baronin I . soccm ecu t saccao e , furca et fossa, etc. The quilk charter is daited the XXIII year of the said King Alex. his Rigne, qlk was in y1272.d e yeigo f ro ' (Forbes Charter Chest.) 148 DRUMINNOR HUNTLY, Strafhbogie Land over 1000 feet F//AI Fic. i. Location map. (Scale f in. = i mile) 150 PROCEEDING SOCIETYE TH F O S , 1966-67 which, allowing for the erosion of time, and the plough, could indicate the remains o simplfa e earthen castle t unti —bu propela r investigatio sitbeee s th e ha f nno made, impossibls i t i more b o et definite. It is interesting, however, to note that in a fresh charter of I5321 which was grante Johno t d h Lor6t , d Forbes, amongs e placeth t s name a 'Castlehill' s di , indicating tha traditioe tth n connecting this site wit recena hcastlt a no ts e i one d an , it is also referred to in the charter granted in 16732 by Charles II to William, i2th Lord Forbes. Period 2 (c. 1440-80) Some time in the first half of the fifteenth century it seems that it was decided to rebuild Druminno styla n ri e mor keepinn ei g wit pretensione hth famile th d f so yan the advancing standards of the times. Instea rebuildinsitef d do ol lying ,w e whiclo th s ,n gunsheltereo hwa cond dan - streamso tw e finecompletelth a , y db y fresh starmads twa e abou hala mila t d f ean away, wher sheltereea d position leven o , l ground facin . acros gSE Keare sth n Burn, was chosen. How much of the existing building dates from this period is still difficult to decide, but if, as seems likely, the two lower floors and parts of the first and second floors do, then the importance of Druminnor as a 'palace' building, ante-dating Huntl somy yb e twelve years, mus considerede b t . buildino Thertw e ear g document whicn so rel e whar h w e yfo knoe th w t f wo building work being don t Druminnoea r durin fifteente gth h century addition I . o nt these Bil,e Divorcf therth lo e ear e (wit accouns h it arrangemen e th f o t roomf to n so the principal floor at Druminnor) brought, in 1573, by the Master of Forbes against his wife, Margaret Gordon, and John Leyden's description of 1800. Taking the morden i havee rw : 1. 4th July 1440 A memorandum that John Kemloc Williad kan Ennerkypf mo e have been paid e hundreon d fifthundreo dan ytw e buildinf marko th dt r markfo ou sf go e du s Druminnor. This could indicate that the remaining fifty marks were a form of retention money. If this is so, and means that work was not started until the second half of 1440, then the dating of the 1456 document does not indicate an excessive time-lag as would be the case were 1440 the date of the completion, and not the commencement, of the work.3 2. 4th May 1456 A licence granted by James II at Brechin to James, 2nd Lord Forbes, for the building of the tower or fortalice of Druminnor, commonly called Forbes, and the 1 Charter unde Greae rth t Seal, i8th July 1532. (Forbes Papers.) 'A Charte Williamo rt , iath Lord Forbes, containin gNova o Damus Whol e ofth e Baronie of Forbes . Given2 at the Court of Whitehall the 6th day of June 1673 and of his Majestie's reign the 25th year.' (Forbes Papers.) 3 Forbes Papers, quoted in Appendix I. DRUMINNOR 15! fortificatio same th f eno wit h walls, ditche constructiodoore d th san iro f d so nan f no a 'decorative and defensive superstructure'.1 . 24th3 June 1573 Describin e misconducgth Mistrese th f o tf Forbe o s s with Patrick Hepburt na Druminnor at various times between 1571 and 1573, it is stated that when at Druminnor . 'he lay in the uter chalmer within the hall, nixt to the said Margratis chalmer qukeri mighe nh t have enteri plesis hi bean e t rh a t d soletar withi saie nth d uter chalmehale th l doud ran r steiket upone hime withi .'.. n. 2 4. 1800 From Journal of a Tour in the Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland by John Leyden. 'I saw the ruins of Druminnor tower, which the proprietor had demolished. The wal abous i l t nine fee cemene t th thic d exceedingls i ktan y strong t consistI . a f so square tower unite hala o dft squar whicd ean h contain staircase.e sth ' From these extracts it would appear that between 1440 and 1456 a major stone buildin coursin erectiogeof was Druminnornat ; tha 1573 in tyear two , s afteit r has generally been accepted thae castl th d beet eha n destroyed perfectls wa t i , y habitable and that there was a third main room on the first floor, which has since disappeared, probably in the demolition recorded by Leyden. necessarw no s historicai e past o th yI t o s t architecturad an l le evidencth o t d ean parallels afforded by Huntly Castle. We know that building operations must have started at Druminnor in 1440, or earl 1441yn i thad an ,t wor stils klwa goin sixteen go n years later whe licence nth o et fortify was granted. It is, of course, possible that the licence may have been granted retrospectively, the work already having been finished, but it is not likely that work was delayed until the licence was granted. At any rate, it seems certain that work was going on from 1440 until 1456, by which date it was probably nearing comple- tion. In 1452, when Lord Huntly was fighting on the King's behalf in the civil war following the murder of Lord Douglas, the Earl of Moray descended on the Gordon land n Strathbogii s d destroyean e d thei d towerol r .
Recommended publications
  • 1 Cliffs of the North and South East Coasts
    Aberdeenshire Council - Local Landscape Designations Review report by LUC 1 Cliffs of the North and South East Coasts RANKED CRITERIA Typicality / Representativeness High Narrow coastal strip between Cullen and Fraserburgh, and south of Peterhead, comprising a diverse landscape of sandy beaches and dunes, as well as rocky headlands and sheer cliffs. Rarity / Uniqueness Medium Coastal cliffs are similarly found on the east coast of Aberdeenshire, south of Peterhead, but those on the north coast are more cohesive and form a defined edge to the headland. Intactness and condition Medium Trees and woodland are limited in this windswept landscape. Fields are enclosed by hedgerows and stone dykes, with large farm buildings. Coastal villages are intact. Wildness Medium Accessible and well settled, but dominated by the influence of the sea and the elements, lending the landscape qualities of greater wildness. Scenic qualities High Although narrow, this landscape feels open and large scale due to the influence of the sea and sky, with high headlands, sheer cliffs, narrow inlets, occasional sandy bays and attractive villages. Enjoyment High A popular destination, with tourist accommodation in fishing villages and caravan parks. Accessible via coastal walks and NCN 1, which runs between Cullen and Banff before heading inland. Built heritage assets High Traditional fishing villages constructed in local stone, many of which are Conservation Areas eg Sandend, Portsoy, Banff, Gardenstown, Crovie and Pennan. Several scheduled monuments including Pitsligo Castle (near Rosehearty), Dundarg Castle (NW of New Aberdour) and Castle of Findon (fort & castle south west of Gardenstown). Cultural qualities High Shipyards at Macduff. Slains Castle near Cruden Bay was said to give Bram Stoker the inspiration for Count Dracula's castle.
    [Show full text]
  • Discovery & Excavation in Scotland
    1991 DISCOVERY & EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND An Annual Survey of Scottish Archaeological Discoveries. Excavation and Fieldwork EDITED BY COLLEEN E BATEY WITH JENNIFER BALL PUBLISHED BY THE COUNCIL FOR SCOTTISH ARCHAEOLOGY ISBN 0 901352 11 X ISSN 0419 -411X NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS 1 Contributions should be brief statements of work undertaken. 2 Each contribution should be on a separate page, typed or clearly hand-written and double spaced. Surveys should be submitted in summary form. 3 Two copies of each contribution are required, one for editing and one for NMRS. 4 The Editor reserves the right to shorten published contributions. The unabridged copy will be lodged with NMRS. 5 No proofs will be sent to Contributors because of the tight timetable and the cost. 6 Illustrations should be forwarded only by agreement with the Editor (and HS, where applicable). Line drawings should be supplied camera ready to suit page layout as in this volume. 7 Enquiries relating to published items should normally be directed to the Contributor, not the Editor. 8 The final date for receipt of contributions each year is 31 October, for publication on the last Saturday of February following. Contributions from current or earlier years may be forwarded at any time. 9 Contributions should be sent to Hon Editor, Discouery & Excavation in Scotland, CSA, c/o Royal Museum of Scotland, Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD. Please use the following format:- REGION DISTRICT Site Name ( parish) Contributor Type of Site/Find NCR (2 letters, 6 figures) Report Sponsor: HS, Society, Institution, etc, as appropriate. Name of Contributor: (where more than one, please indicate which name should appear in the list of contributors) Address of main contributor.
    [Show full text]
  • Scotland's Castles Rescued, Rebuilt and Reoccupied, 1945 - 2010
    University of Dundee DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Scotland's Castles rescued, rebuilt and reoccupied, 1945 - 2010 Inglis, Janet Award date: 2011 Link to publication General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 25. Sep. 2021 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Scotland's Castles: rescued, rebuilt and reoccupied, 1945 - 2010 Janet Inglis 2011 University of Dundee Conditions for Use and Duplication Copyright of this work belongs to the author unless otherwise identified in the body of the thesis. It is permitted to use and duplicate this work only for personal and non-commercial research, study or criticism/review. You must obtain prior written consent from the author for any other use. Any quotation from this thesis must be acknowledged using the normal academic conventions. It is not permitted to supply the whole or part of this thesis to any other person or to post the same on any website or other online location without the prior written consent of the author.
    [Show full text]
  • Claymore – 2020 July
    CLAYMORE Service, Education, Advocacy for the Scottish-American Ancestral Diaspora July 2020 COSCA 2020 AGM RESCHEDULED! Due to the COVID19 Pandemic, the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games—the regular site for COSCA’s Annual General Meeting since our founding in 1976—was cancelled for 2020. As a result, COSCA’s AGM has had to be rescheduled. Due to continued closures and cancellations of large public gatherings, the decision has been made to hold this year’s AGM online, as is allowed by applicable state law. Accordingly, COSCA will convene its AGM remotely, via Zoom. We are looking at several possible dates later in this Calendar Year. The new date and time for the AGM, as well as directions how to join the meeting, will be announced soon on the COSCA website (www.cosca.scot). Please consult the website for further details. IN THIS ISSUE Coronavirus and Effects ........................................................................................................................ III President’s Page ..................................................................................................................................... VI Update from Australian Clan Gregor Society ................................................................................... VIII Frank McGregor, High Commissioner Strategic Planning Update .......................................................................................................................X Clan Carruthers Chief after 210 Years .................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Parish Surveyor
    Parish Surveyor George Brown c Dut No of Dut No of No of No of Du Dut Dut Am Under Dut y Duty No of No of No of No of Horses y No of No of No of No of No of Horses Horses Horses ty Dut y y oun Gardener ies No of Four on No of on Horses for Horses for Horses for Horses for for Riding on Horses No of Horses Horses No of Horses Horses and and and Duty Dogs, on y on on t of Duty s, Occasional Occasional on Wheel No of Four Fou TwoWheel No of Two Riding or Riding or Riding or Riding or or Hor and Horses and and Horses and and Mules List Mules List Mules List on List 17: Do on Hai Hor Allo on Duty No of Occasion Clerks, Servants Servants: Servants: Mal Carriages Wheel No of Four r No of Two No of Two Carriages List No of TwoWheel Wheel Drawing Drawing Drawing Drawing Drawing ses Mules List and Mules List Mules List and Mules List Mules List 16 On 16 On 16 On Horse Dogs, List Other Dogs, gs Ar r se wa Houses on Male al Bookkeep to take Occasional Occasional Employer Employer Male e No of Four Additional No of Four Carriages Wheel Wh Wheel Wheel No 4 TwoWheel Carriages Carria Carriages Carriages CarriagesL Carriages Carriages for 16 Draft Mules List 16 Small 16 used Mules List 16 On 16 On Farms Farms Farms s and 17: House dogs or List 17: Lis mo Po De nce and Inhabit Servants Grooms Steward, ers or care of Occasional Waiters: Waiters: In charged charged Servants: Stage Ser Wheel bodies Wheel List No 3 Carriages eel Carriages Carriages Additonal Carriages Taxed ges List 15: List 15: ist 15: List 15 List Ridi not in 16 Farmers in 16 Under Farms
    [Show full text]
  • Welcome to Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire
    WELCOME TO ABERDEEN & ABERDEENSHIRE www.visitabdn.com @visitabdn | #visitABDN Fishing on the coast ITINERARY Our crystal-clear lochs, two snow-fed rivers, great estates combined with sea angling and stocked trout fisheries mean that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is one of the best places to fish in Scotland. Anglers come from all over the globe to fish these wonderful rivers that are woven into the cultural history of Aberdeenshire and play an important role in our communities. Here are our suggestions for how to spend 48 hours in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire: River Dee Where to fish The longest river in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is the River Dee which flows over 87 miles (140km) from the heart of Cairngorms National Park to the North Sea at Aberdeen. The River Dee is one of the most famous rivers for fly fishing for salmon in the fast flowing, pristine waters that are home to a succession of salmon pools. The river is split into three reaches which vary throughout the seasons and water conditions. More information can be found at FishDee. Where to eat Refuel for lunch at The Boat Inn in Aboyne, the 5* B&B serves scrumptious locally sourced food and drink overlooking the River. Keep an eye on the events calendar as the bar frequently hosts live music. Where to stay After a tranquil day of catching fish on the river, enjoy a stay at the luxurious Ballogie Estate. Ranging from cosy cottages that sleep up to six guests to the grand Ballogie House set in beautiful private gardens. Ballogie Estate manages three fishing beats so you are never too far away from the calming sound of the River.
    [Show full text]
  • The Bailies of Bennachie Records, 1973-2013 Outline Ref Dates Description Audit Entry 1/1-13 the Bailies of Bennachie 1/1 1973
    The Bailies of Bennachie Records, 1973-2013 Outline The Audit entry column contains the reference number to this material in the Bennachie Information Audit, see section 13 Ref Dates Description Audit entry 1/1-13 The Bailies of Bennachie 1/1 1973- Constitution 1/2 1973- Membership 1/3 1974- Annual reports and financial statements 1/4 1973- Council Meeting Agendas, Minutes and related papers, Membership 1/5 1973- Council correspondence 1/6 1977- Bailies’ AGMs 1/7 1980- Bailies’ Rallies 1/8 1973- Notices to Bailies re AGM, Rally, and other activities 1/9 198-? Wardens 1/10 1973- Bailies’ Room 1/11 1973- Organisation management 1/12 200- Website 1/13 200- Bailies’ records in electronic format 2 1973- Library 3/1-13 Information files and research papers 3/1 Place names 287 3/2 Natural history 240 3/3 Buildings 242 3/4 Bennachie Colony/ Colonists 236 3/5 Reminiscences 241 3/6 Biographical 3/7 Cormack Connection and Collection 285 3/8 Historical notes 286 3/9 Archaeology 3/10 Legends 3/11 Mrs Helen Fraser’s papers 235 3/12 Dr Danny Gordon’s papers 3/13 Fordyce family papers 4/1-19 Bailies’ projects 4/1 1973- Bennachie Working Parties / Bennachie Volunteers 4/2 1974- Guided walks ` 4/3 1977- Planting 4/5 1979 Indicators 4/6 1979- Educational projects 239 4/7 1980 Conservation seminar 4/8 1981- Promotion, including Appeals 4/9 1981, 1997 Ballad Competitions 4/10 1986- Gordon Way 4/11 1993- Bennachie Centre 4/12 1997 The Levena Taylor Award: Video Competition 4/13 1997- Bennachie Colony 4/14 1982-1983 Photographic Competition 4/15 1985? Rowan
    [Show full text]
  • 105836028.23.Pdf
    A3o^b -IS' THE GLEN COLLECTION OF SCOTTISH MUSIC Presented by Lady Dorothea Ruggles-Brise to the National Library of Scotland, in memory of her brother, Major Lord George Stewart Murray, \ Black Watch, killed in action in France in 1914. 28th January 1927. r, Aberdeen, J^ubZis/iecZ b y JOHN MARR, ROYAL MUSIC SALOON, UNION STREET. EDINBURG-H, WOOD C? LONDON, CAMPBELL,AR&YLL PLACE. ^l/?s7 r/Z.vo /be 7/y.if/o/'{/>/■ . lut/io/'. 4 SIR CHARLES. With sincere respect, I thank yon for permission to preface this Tolnme of music with yonr name. Withont your kind patronag*e and encouragement, the work had never, ( at least by its Author) been published; and heartily' do I wish it were more worthy of your acceptance. Not havings enjoyed the advantage, in my earlier years, of a thorougdi training* in the theory of music, my compositions cannot claim to rank with the productions of those who have made the science of music their study throug*h life: they are, as you, Sir Charles, and many of my friends know, the “fruits of leisure hours.” I would, however, fain flatter myself that the Strathspeys and Reels throug-hout the work, will be found to be composed in that style of Dance Music most appreciated by the people of the Highlands of Aberdeen and Banffshire. The critic in musical composition may, for the reasons already stated find a few errors throughout the volume; but, so far as possible, I have kept clear of the crime of plagiarism, by aiming* at originality in the airs.
    [Show full text]
  • Pilot and Study Areas
    Historic Land-use Assessment Pilot and Study Areas Copyright Unless otherwise specified, the contents of this document are © Crown Copyright 2013. You may re-use this information (excluding logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms and conditions of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government- licence/version/3/ Copies of Royal Commission photographs (individually identifiable by reference to the image caption) can be purchased online via Canmore, the national database, at www.canmore.org.uk. All maps are reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2013. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence Number: 100020548. Further Information Information about Scotland’s archaeological, architectural and maritime heritage can be found in Canmore (see above) and PastMap, at pastmap.org.uk. Archive items can be inspected in the RCAHMS Public Search Room, which is open Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.00pm (6.00pm on Thursdays), at the following address: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland John Sinclair House 16 Bernard Terrace Edinburgh EH8 9NX Tel: 0131 662 1456 Fax: 0131 662 1477 Email: [email protected] Revised October 2010; web addresses updated February 2016 Cover Page Image: Oblique aerial view, looking across Loch Lomond towards Ben Lomond and the Grampian Mountains. SC506616 Historic Land-use Assessment: Pilot and Study Areas __________________________________________________________________________ 1. INTRODUCTION The Historic Land Use Assessment pilot project was established as a partnership venture in October 1996 by Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
    [Show full text]
  • Castle Newe Strathspey Alexander Walker a B Min E a EA # ## C Œ Œ
    Castle Newe strathspey Alexander Walker A B min E A EA # ## c œ œ. œ. œ . & J œ œ.œ œ œ œ œ œ œ.œ œ. œ œ. œ œ . œ œ. œ œ. œ . œ. œ œ œ. œ œ A DE ¢ A EA ¢ . œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ. œ. œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ. œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ. œ. œ. A A A DA DA/C# E /A /B /C# E œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ. œ 3 3 œ. 3 3 3 œ. œ CASTLE NEWE. Walker: A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels, Marches, &c., 1866; No. 3, pg. 2. Scottish, Strathspey. A Major, AAB. i. Jerry Holland, cassette, 1987. ii. The Barra MacNeils, CD, c.1994. iii. Howie MacDonald, CD, c.1994. iv. Allie Bennett, CD, c.2004 (in raised bass tuning (AEae). v. Dawn and Margie Beaton , c.2009. vi. The Cape Breton Fiddlers Association, current repertoire Castle Newe was the home of Sir Charles Forbes, Alexander Walker’s employer. John Forbes of Bellabeg, “Bombay Jock”, Sir Charles uncle, as born at Bellabeg Strathdon in September 1743. In early life he went to Bombay and engaging in trading. He became one of the most extensive and distinguished merchants in India. Having realised a large fortune he repurchased Newe, the estate of his ancestors, besides other lands in Strathdon, and the whole of his rental was laid out in improvements.
    [Show full text]
  • ABERDEEN to INVERNESS VIA HUNTLY. THIS Is the Principal
    BENNACHIE—STRATHBOGIE 377 the most striking in appearance of the six peaks of Ben- nachie (benna-hee) (1,698 feet). A remarkable old hill fort on the summit is approached by the " Maiden Causeway," an ancient paved road. Each of the six summits of the ridge, which extends for 4J miles, commands ABERDEEN TO INVERNESS VIA HUNTLY. an extensive view. Oxen Craig, the loftiest, has a height of 1,733 feet. Though the mountain presents a steep face to the For the route via Cruden Bay, see p. 392 ; via Old Meldrum, seep. 396. north, the ascent is easy. From Pitcaple or Oyne Stations by road to Pittodrie and thence good path to the summit. Motor- HIS is the principal motor route between Aberdeen ists from the south should leave the main road at Drimmies, 2£ T and the north-west of Scotland. As far as Keith miles beyond Inverurie, and proceed by a steep road to Chapel the L.N.E.R. serves places en route, thence to Elgin and of Garioch and Pittodrie. One mile beyond Chapel of Garioch Inverness, L.M.S. territory. an interesting sculptured stone 10 feet high stands by the road- Leave Aberdeen by George Street, which in a mile or side. It is called the Maiden Stone. From the summit of the so turns westward beside the Don. Beyond Bucksburn is Mither Tap is an excellent view. the Rowett Institute, where the University and North of Scotland College of Agriculture carry on research into The Garioch (pronounced Gairy, the g hard), one of the animal nutrition.
    [Show full text]
  • TILLYCAIRNIE FARMHOUSE, KEIG, ALFORD, AB33 8BT Keig 1 Mile Alford 6 Miles Aberdeen 25 Miles
    TILLYCAIRNIE FARMHOUSE, KEIG, ALFORD, AB33 8BT Keig 1 mile Alford 6 miles Aberdeen 25 miles Land & Estate Agents, Surveyors, Auctioneers Thainstone, Inverurie, AB51 5XZ Tel: (01467) 623800 Fax: (01467) 623809 www. anestates.co.uk e-mail: [email protected] To view or for more information please contact:- An attractive Farmhouse in need of some modernisation Aberdeen & Northern Estates with useful traditional outbuildings situated near Keig and 01467 623800 [email protected] OFFERS OVER Alford, Aberdeenshire. or Forbes Estate Office, Castle Forbes £225,000 For sale as a whole with vacant possession 019755 62524 [email protected] Directions P A R T I C U L A R S from Aberdeen, take the A944 towards Alford for 20 miles. At Whitehouse, take the B992, signposted Keig and Insch. At Tillycairnie is a traditional stone and slate farmhouse requiring Keig, turn right, towards Insch and travel for 1 mile before modernisation and upgrading. The accommodation can be turning left at the sign for Old Balgowan. The property is seen on the attached plan but in summary comprises: located on the left hand side as shown on the attached plans. Ground Floor Situation / Amenities Kitchen, Living Room, Sitting Room, Bathroom and Study/ Tillycairnie Farmhouse enjoys a peaceful rural setting, yet is Bedroom 3 conveniently located close to Keig (1 mile) and Alford (6 miles). Primary Schooling is available in Keig with secondary First Floor education and a wider range of services located in Alford. 2 Bedrooms and box room Alford is the principal town serving Donside and offers a The farmhouse does benefit from recently installed windows supermarket, a health centre, banking, post office, filling (uPVC) and new front and rear doors.
    [Show full text]