PICK 2019/20 EDITION ME UP, I’M FREE! The Malt Whisky Capital DUFFTOWN ACCOMMODATION EVENTS FOOD WALKS ...AND MORE Autumn Whisky Delights WHISKY FESTIVALS GALORE THE STILLS OF DUFFTOWN Discover THE MALT WHISKY Dufftown CAPITAL OF THE WORLD! Fairy Village WWW.DUFFTOWN.CO.UK Passionate About Whis2019/20ky EDITION 2019/20 EDITION PLEASE VISIT WWW.DUFFTOWN.CO.UK TO DUFFTOWN FOR MORE INFORMATION Welcome FOUNDED 1817 ABOUT OUR TOWN. We hope you find the information useful and it helps you to make the best of your stay here in Dufftown and the Speyside area. Dufftown, built close to the hamlet of Laichie and originally named Mortlach, was founded in 1817 by James Duff, the 4th Earl of Fife, who financed the venture to provide accommodation and employment for returning soldiers after the Napoleonic wars. Set in the heart of Speyside, Dufftown is situated on the banks of the River Fiddich and the Dullan Water at the foot of the Conval Hills. These excellent water sources make it an ideal area for Whisky distilling. Today it is claimed that Dufftown generates more export capital than any other town in the UK due to the high density of distilleries in the area. Like other villages of the period Dufftown has spacious streets laid out in a regular plan converging at the iconic Clock Tower. As a community thriving on the success of the Whisky industry it became a self contained community providing all the regular shops and businesses as well as saddlers, shoemakers, jewellers, watchmakers, tailors and at one time several undertakers. Improvements in transport and travel opportunities from the 1950s meant that Dufftown declined as a commercial centre but today, steeped in history of illicit stills, battles and landmarks, it continues to present visitors with a host of activities to see and do. Enjoy your visit and haste ye back. With thanks to www.jasperimage.co.uk for our cover photography. And with special thanks to Colin Mackenzie for photographs throughout the magazine. wPAGEw 01w.whiskyshopdufftown.com PAGE 03 HISTORIC DUFFTOWN 2019/20 EDITION 2019/20 EDITION HISTORIC DUFFTOWN the hangman’s head and jumped from Amusingly, the Tower housed an illicit the ladder hanging himself. Dufftown still around 1900, when it was still used Amusingly, the Tower housed an as the Burgh Chambers. illicit still around 1900, when it was still used as the Burgh Chambers. having heard that a horse-rider was approaching with a Apparently hidden in the cellar, the clock smoke was discharged through an reprieve, had the clock turned forward 15 minutes to ensure the execution was completed. Whilst in gaol MacPherson upper chimney. Excise men crossing composed his ‘rant’ which was later rewritten by Robert Burns the square daily never suspected as ‘MacPherson’s Lament’. MacPherson played the rant at the a thing, believing an odd waft of tower gallows, then offered it to anyone in the crowd who would play fermentation to belong to one of the at his wake. When no-one came forward he broke the fiddle on many distilleries around the town. Strong and tall, built from local granite, the clock tower is an emblem to the heritage of the town. The tower has seen many uses, originally the town gaol, the Burgh Chambers, accommodation and Tourist Information Centre. roudly chiming and donations can be made One day, Braco’s posse on the hour the via the Dufftown Community surprised MacPherson in Keith lest we clock provides Association Facebook page. at the Saint Rufus Fair. He had reassurance and become over confident and had constancy. It The clock orginates from Banff a habit of visiting towns on was interrupted and is known locally as ‘the market days. As he attempted forget during March clock that hung MacPherson’. to escape, a woman from an In November 2018 Dufftown came 2017, falling James MacPherson was the upstairs window threw a blanket together in many ways to mark and silent for over illegitimate son of a Scottish on him allowing Braco’s men commemorate the 100th anniversary a year. Dufftown and District laird and gypsy girl born in to capture him along with three of the signing of the Armistice. Community Association 1675. With his band of gypsies others. He was taken for trial to Dufftown held ‘Peace & Reconciliation’ P(DDCA) took action, raising relieving the landed gentry Banff where he faced Sherriff commemorations over a two and a half funds and implementing repairs. of Moray of their riches and Nicolas Dunbar, who as a friend week period. The DDCA is working with giving to the poor, he earned of Braco, condemned him Many moving tributes to soldiers who fought the local council to secure its the reputation of a Scottish to hang for crimes of purse- for freedom and peace emerged during 2018. ownership and a sustainable cutting and theft. The good Robin Hood. He was a man The Poppy waterfall, pictured, was created future for it. Regular fundraising of great prowess with the people of the local area raised through lots of hard work and community spirit. continues for both its running sword and the fiddle and a petition to save MacPherson costs and development and survived as a freebooter with a which went to the High Court The ‘There but not there’ Tommy* repair plans. It is the hope and legitimate line in horse trading. in Edinburgh.On the 16th silhouettes created a moving tribute to plan for it to remain as our Always hounded by his arch November 1700, just 8 days those who gave their lives in war. One iconic working clock tower, a enemy Lord Braco of Duff, after the trial, MacPherson is now a permanent fixture in the treasured landmark by residents MacPherson was captured twice was led to the gallows in the War Memorial gardens on the way to and visitors alike. Updates and escaped both times. early morning. Lord Braco, Glenfiddich. The other is on the wall as you enter the Royal British Legion. *Tommy is a historical name for British soldiers which, PAGE 04 it is believed, originated in 1743. PAGE 05 HISTORIC DUFFTOWN 2019/20 EDITION places Fairy Village Notable buildingsto include Mortlachvisit Church. on, most of the money coming from the loyal The church itself was founded in 566AD by St. congregation. He also played a major role in the Moulag a Scottish Christian missionary and a revival of Scottish Church music. He edited two contemporary of Saint Columba who evangelised volumes of Sacred Music to be used by small the Picts of Scotland in the sixth century. Today Choirs. It all began when Dave Brown, and daughter Elise made a single fairy house, Mortlach remains one of the oldest places of placing it in the woodlands. When discovered, it was posted on Facebook continual worship in Scotland. From the outside Copies were supplied to parishes all over causing much excitement & lots of people venturing to see it. it looks like a 19th century church but some Scotland, England and Ireland and the volumes parts of the original church still exist, although can still be found in St. Mary’s today. He also Dave commented “Everyone seemed to love it, so we added another and it has been heavily reconstructed through the provided St. Mary’s with an organ. In 2013 St. another, and its snowballed from there. It’s a great feeling, making so years between 1871 and 1931. It is rumoured Mary’s was awarded a lottery heritage fund and many people happy, and reading the comments in the visitors book really that when King Malcolm II defeated a force of substantial works were carried out to bring St. makes all the effort worthwhile” Danes led by Sweyn in a battle at Mortlach in Mary’s back to its former glory. Let your imagination be captivated with a visit to the fairies. 1010 he had the church enlarged by three spear lengths in celebration. Within the churchyard is an early 19th century watch house, built so that Mortlach Church, founded in 566AD watchmen could guard the burial ground against grave robbers. by St. Moulag, remains one of the If you want to embark on the journey to flit through the woods then oldest places of continual worship in follow Church Street from the Clock tower, walk past Mortlach Catholics and the Rev George Gordon were Scotland. Church and onwards past the cemetery. Turn left just before also delighted with the Earl of Fife’s plans for Dufftown Distillery, walk across the bridge over the river and Dufftown as they had previously been praying in turn right. Follow the Giant’s Chair walk. This is circular and you secret up at the Cabrach, now at last a chapel was will come back down the high road past Dufftown Distillery. Wear planned. In 1824 work began and in 1825 less walking boots or sturdy shoes! than a year later Father Gordon was settled in the Mortlach Church house and people were at last able to pray in the If you stay still enough once in the magical area you may catch a chapel of St. Mary’s next door. glimpse of red Squirrels, as well as maybe a fairy too… The 1833 Directory recorded 170 regular attendees. Father Gordon played an important part in ensuring the chapel was improved and maintained as time went Open May to August - weather dependent facebook.com/dufftownfairyvillage St Mary’s Church PAGE 06 2019/20 EDITION 2019/20 EDITION Visit The Balveniecastle Glenfiddich Distillery Speyside alvenie Castle - originally known as Mortlach, was built by William ,$-0+2'4#-3015'2&12#0!*1112',%1G*20,-l##&-.90 Comyn, who became the Earl of Buchan on his marriage to the daughter of the last Celtic Earl of Buchan.