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Blackhills
Blackhills maps
Historic maps of Blackhills and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Blackhills maps
Blackhills photos
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Blackhills area books
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Memories of Blackhills
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Aberdeenshire memories
Playhillocks Cottage
My sister and I were born in Playhillocks Cottage, Longhaven - me in 1937 and my sister in 1936. When I was about 3 or 4 we moved to a council house in Cruden Bay, Serald Street, where my brother was born. In 1950 we migrated to Australia and sadly by the time I could afford a trip back to Scotland the cottage had gone. I believe that the cottage might have been part of the estate of Longhaven House which was built by Rev Murdoch from Hatton. Coincidently, I now live about 15 mins away by bus from the estate of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch (Rupert's mother) and her place is called Cruden Farm. I really regret that I do not have a photo of Playhillocks which was across the road from the "Buildiins". My name then was Maureen Souter and I would be interested if anyone has a photo to share. There is a modern bungalow on the site now. Brought back lots of memories reading your website. My... Read more
Happy Memories
I was born in St Fergus in 1946 at 5 Links View. I went to school there for 2 years. My teacher's name was Miss Will. 5 Links View was my grannie's home. We lived at Kinloch Cottages that looked down over Newton. We moved from there to Kirton Cottages just along past the Kingie. Our neighbours there were the Stevens family. I was only 3 or 4 then but I can remember it quite well. We then moved to Lonmay where we lived at Blairmormond Farm Cottages where I went to Blackhills School and then on to Crimond School. I now live in a small village in Fife near Cupar.
When I Lived in Strichen
We came to Strichen from the Auchnagatt area in 1949 and I went to Strichen primary and secondary schools. It was real sad when the old school was knocked down. I stayed out at Newmill which was also Michies brewery and how it has changed too. There used to be just 3 houses on the road home but now they are all the way up the road plus more on the farm. My mam and dad moved into Strichen in 1967 and I married a local boy and we moved to Glenrothes in Fife. The village has a lot of history about it and we read about Lorna Moon coming from there but we never heard of her while we were at school. The druid circle out beside the ruins of Strichen house and the big conker tree are some of my memories. Mormond hill overlooks the village and the horse and the deer just finish it off.
My First Visit
Was overwhelmed by open spaces,woodland, fields of pasture, arable, all seemingly laid out with such precision. Those responsible for management of the land appear to take so much care. Aberdeen Angus; Pheasants; variety of sheep, many types of bird including Buzzards swooping low over our heads. Thousands of wild foul, seeing fish clearly swimming in the river close by, where our daughter her husband and two children have only recently gone to live. Not forgetting that we played cricket in there substantial sized garden, on a lovely warm sunny day, in October. It is so peaceful, apart from the occasional farm vehicle, but what can you expect out in the countryside.
What a beautifull shoreline, estuary and dunes for walks, especially when it is warmer. Small town of Ellon (close by) is most attractive, looking forward to our next visit in few weeks plus many more (despite 376 mile distance.
Arnage Castle, Ellon
Arnage Castle belonged to Donald Charles Stewart from the early 1930s until it went out of the Stewart family at the end of the 1980s. D C Stewart as he was known was the largest privately owned housebuilder in the north east of Scotland. One of six brothers, all but one were involved in the building firm. Arnage played host to stars of film and theatre from around the world. A Jay Gatsby of his day, D C Stewart was a philanthropist and a colourful character, known for his lavish parties, his love of cars, antiques. The marble fireplace in main lounge bears his initials DCS carved into the stone. A story which has come down through the generations is that as a young boy Donald loved to climb over the wall of the orchard and pick himself an apple from a tree. One day however the owner happened to catch the young boy who, as he was being led out of the orchard, retorted 'I'm going to own this... Read more
My Mum's 1st Job
Iris Hastie worked here as a children's nurse when she was about 14. She went on trips to Fairy House and to the Hill of Fare, as part of her job. My mum was a good artist and the owner thought that as there was a shortage of teachers she could go to art college and become a teacher, and he would finance her. She chose to look after her ill mum. Her dad worked at the piggery.
Family Memories From Years Ago
My mother was a niece of Donald Stewart (her father "Charles Stewart's" brother) She remembers being driven in his treasured Rolls Royce when she was a child.
