Who We Are
Aboyne and Deeside Heritage Society has over 90 members, young and not so young, who are creating and sharing an interest in the heritage and culture of Aboyne and Deeside and the community’s relationship with the wider world.
Outside the Fog House at Braemar Castle.
On 13th August 2024, members of the ADHS enjoyed a very informative tour of the historic Braemar Castle, and some of them continued with a short walking tour of Braemar village.
Meetings
The communities of Coull and Tarland, vote to save St. Nathalan Kirk, Coull
On Saturday 30th August, a meeting of residents of Coull, Tarland, Aboyne at the Kirk, unanimously voted to purchase Coull Kirk, dedicated to St. Nathalan, from the Church of Scotland.
The meeting was chaired by Aberdeenshire Councillor Sarah Brown, who has kindly offered her support for the community buy-out.
Spokesperson Steve Thompson commented “Coull is a small community which is scattered across a large area. We all though appreciate what a little gem this Kirk is, and how it could help save the last remaining public building in Coull. We are united in attempting to save it.”
The Coull Trust was established as a registered charity to purchase the Kirk for the benefit of the local community and visitors.
The Coull Trust has a deadline of year end to meet the purchase price as per the Church of Scotland’s valuation of £30,000 and following discussions, they have agreed to sell the Kirk to Coull Trust. The Trust is actively fundraising to meet not only the purchase cost, but also to meet repair costs that been identified after a specially commissioned survey.
Brief History:
The Kirk is currently still in use by the Church of Scotland, but recently services have been restricted to six times per year in the summer months, a service at Christmas and the occasional wedding/funeral.
St Nathalan, believed to have been a 7th century Pictish christian, founded the first church in Coull on this site and also churches at Tullich (Deeside), Cowie (Stonehaven) and Bothelnie (Meldrum). This site is closely linked with the remains of Coull Castle (Scheduled Monument) which stands 300 metres South East of the churchyard.
The first official record of a church on the site dates from 1188 when the ‘Kirk of Cula in Mar’ was bestowed upon the Abbey of Arbroath by King William the Lion. The first recorded minister was James Reid in 1574. The minister in 1651, Andrew Gray, was described by Earl of Aboyne as “little Mr Andrew Gray, though void of wit, yet full of yeires”. The current church bell bearing the Ross coat of Arms, was made by Burgerhuys, Holland in 1642 and belonged to the previous church building, gifted by Alexander Ross of Coull .
The Objectives of Coull Trust are:
- Preserve a historic piece of local heritage which was built by locals, maintained by locals, used and loved by locals for nearly 1400 years.
- Keep the kirk building in community hands, not private – keeping it accessible. It’s the last public building in Coull!
- Honour and remember the people who lived and died here or lost their lives in war (it contains Coull’s war memorials).
- Continue to use it as a community facility for worship, contemplation, affordable weddings, funerals/memorials and small events.
- Make it more available and accessible than before – all faiths or no faith at all.
Unique Qualities of Coull Kirk:
The unique charm of the existing Kirk, lit only by paraffin lamps and candles, with its historic graveyard mort-house, will hopefully be preserved as it is, in its beautiful peaceful location for decades to come, safeguarded by the Trustees and Coull Trust Charity.
The Trust wishes to take over the Kirk building without any major changes. However, money will be needed for ongoing maintenance including roof repairs, upgrading outbuildings for storage, improvements to make the building more accessible etc.
Four methods have currently been identified to generate income :
- Site for weddings, civil partnerships, funerals, memorials for any faith or none at all.
- Place for peaceful contemplation and connection (open 1 day a week).
- Historic tours.
- Small events, suitable for a church setting, arts, music, storytelling etc.
The Trust has already been busy arranging events for this month and beyond (courtesy of the Church of Scotland), to provide additional funding through donations:
Sunday 7th September 2.30 pm.
Eccentric Wealth – the Bulloughs Of Rum. Alistair Scot explains why Kinlock Castle was built on Rum and what a time capsule it is. Part of the Aboyne and Deeside festival.
Sunday 14th September 2.30pm
Taize Meditation. In quiet chanting, inner stillness begins. Interested in well-being and inner serenity? Orchestrated for us by Ken Webb.
Doors Open Weekend: 20/21st September 10am – 4pm.
The Trust will welcome you to the Kirk to see the beautiful stained glass, oil lamps, a minister’s vestry and the prettiest setting you can imagine. At 2pm on both days, a local story teller, Joan Anderson will take you back to the 7th century and the tales of the reputed founder of the Kirk, St. Nathalan.
Saturday 27th September 7pm.
“Fit ye Deein?” Not much we hope, come along to join us and Joan Anderson will tell tales in Doric (with a little help for non-Doric speakers).
Sunday 28th September 6.30pm. Church of Scotland Service.
All welcome
Tuesdays at the Kirk
The Kirk is also open every Tuesday from 10am – 3pm and has already received a stream of very interested visitors.
Other events will be posted later, but will include a Halloween event focusing on the original meaning of this day, and a service with Christmas Carols in December.