Drumoak, Kincardineshire

The workforce

There was a large main house surrounded by four smaller houses - two on each side of the large house. My grandfather's father lived in one of the smaller houses and worked as a groundskeeper. He had a family of 3 children.

The Quest

When my grandfather turned 16 he brought two fine horses onto a huge cruise boat and brought them to Canada to a buyer only to find out the buyer was not to be found and so he kept the two horses and sold them to another buyer and continued to stay in Canada through the rest of his life.

The Queen

My maternal grandmother, Barbara Morison Diack and her sister Margaret Morison Howie used to meet at "The Queen" and go for afternoon tea at least once a month.

Hillhead of Kintore

My grandparents owned the croft Hillhead of Kintore, my grandfather James Kerr Argo was the manager of Kemnay quarries and rode the old road to Kemnay each day to work. I have many childhood memories of staying there.They had a well in the garden, my grandma kept hens and bees and had a herb garden and knew all the herbal cures.... [more]

KEMNAY

James Urquhart, aged 20 years, Farm Servant, living at WELLBUSH, KEMNAY ,  married Mary Ann Jackson, aged 23 years, Domestic Servant, living at Little Hillbrae, Bourtie. The date was 28th April 1860, and the venue was High Street, Inverurie.
The parents of the groom were James Urquhart, Crofter, and Margaret Urquhart whose maiden surname was recorded as Gordon (this maiden surname... [more]

My Sister's House

We used to have some great times at my sister's house in Auchenblae (Monboddo). Her name is Sandra Deans and her husband John and sons, Matthew, Oliver and Lewis all lived there for a few years and we used to go and stay for long weekends. I remember we were there when Princess Di's funeral was on tv all day, we... [more]

Inverurie/Inverury County of Aberdeen

James Urquhart, aged 20 years, Farm Servant, living at Wellbush Kemnay, married Mary Ann Jackson, aged 23 years, Domestic Servant, living at Little Hillbrae, Bourtie. The date was 28th April 1860, and the venue was High Street, Inverurie.
The parents of the groom were James Urquhart, Crofter, and Margaret Urquhart whose maiden surname was recorded as Gordon (this maiden surname... [more]

Auntie's Shop

My family ame from Inverurie but I would be 16 before I visited. Aunt Jeannie lived at Chapel Cottage, North Street and was the chiropodist. Great Aunt Magde also lived there, she owned Reid's boot and shoemakers in Market Place, this had belonged to my grandfather.

Having been brought up in West Yorkshire and all the mills, arriving in Inveruie... [more]