12 Dec 2014

The November issue of the Journal of the Aberdeen and North-East Scotland Family History Society has just dropped through our letterbox and the front page picture is of St Ciaran's Kirk. St Ciaran's dates from 1246 but is a ruin now - tucked away in Kirkton of Fetteresso - near the Kirkton vets and garden centre.  The chapel at Cowie is relatively younf - dedicated in 1276,and was a subordinate church rather than having a parish of its own.

The journal article is eleven pages long and is well worth a read.  It covers a little of the geology and history of Stonehaven, including the castle and Ury Estate and the great and the good who lived there.  Indeed the 400 Episcopalians in the populace were described as an "obliging, peaceable, decent set of people and live in good habits with those of the establishment". And the story goes on to cover Muchalls and Newtonhill to the North and recent developments such as the Combination Poor House opened on the banks of the Carron in 1862. To get your own copy of the magazine, why not join the ANEFHS?  Individual membership is only £18 (less if you are renewing) so get along to the ANEFHS website or their Centre in King Street, Aberdeen where you will find a wealth of information on genealogy in the local area.

Of course, it is worth keeping an eye on the Stonehaven Heritage Society website too. They have regular events in the town.

And finally, if you remember Roy Soutar's "Wild and Rocky Coast" you may want to buy a copy of the reprint, which has just been published by James Bruce, printers in Cameron Street.  You can get a copy there, or by visiting the Maggie Law Museum in Gourdon (but watch their opening hours - they are closed over Christmas and New Year).