Books and Articles

This is not in any sense a bibliography and nor are the publishers’ details or dates provided. The list is far from exhaustive but each item provides information that will both entertain and instruct. A number are readily available; for others a good starting point would be the village Community Library or booksellers in Dinnet and Ballater. If you are aware of other books and articles that we should include, we would of course welcome further information. Please let us know using the Contact Us tab.

1. The Aboyne Heritage Walk

This booklet, produced by the Aboyne and Deeside Heritage Society, is available at many outlets in the village, costs £2 and is full of information and photos, with an illustrated map.

2. A Walk Around Aboyne

Written by Jim Cheyne. a distinguished local pioneer who published and posted information on many aspects of Aboyne.

Jim seated – launch of Aboyne Heritage Walk signboard

3. D.Fox (donaldpfox.blogspot.co.uk)

These internet articles are an indispensable source of information about key events in Aboyne’s past and its many characters, including William Cunliffe Brooks, the Sandisons of the Huntly Arms Hotel, the Gordon family and John Davidson.

A piece of heritage for the Heritage Society. That’s where we used to meet for our monthly talks!

Changed days. Changed menu. Changed prices. Changed spelling!

Gazebo – Huntly Arms – site of gambling between Lairds and Royalty

The Fountain, erected in 1904 and restored in 2015. The Millennium date from 2001

4. Glentanar

Pierre Fouin grew up there and his book is an indispensable guide to the Brooks and Coats families and to changing everyday life in the Glen.

One of the many clues to Glentanar’s Canadian links

Typical of the cards by the artist Russell Flint which Lord and Lady Glentanar would commission each Christmas

5. Deeside and the Mearns

Edited by Professor Jane Geddes, this illustrates the provenance and significance of Aboyne’s many architectural treasures.

6. Records of Aboyne; Milestones and The Cock 0′ The North

Written by the 11th Marquis, these volumes provide lively and unique insights into his many interests, the historical records and development of our community, and the pivotal role his family played in the village annals.

7. St Thomas’ Church

Jane Kruuk’s booklet is a detailed guide to the history and architecture of this beautiful Episcopal church, which was consecrated in 1909 and was the gift of George Coats, who, in 1916, became Lord (Ist Baron) Glentanar.

8. The Church at Aboyne

Lewis Lawson’s booklet highlights the history of the village’s Presbyterian Church, which is designed in the Gothic style. The parish church was moved from Formaston to its current location in 1762 and the book has many interesting insights into changing social conditions and attitudes in the village.

9. History of St Margaret’s Church

This booklet tells the story of the Village’s Roman Catholic Church on Ballater Road(1874), designed by the 11th Marquis’ Clerk of Works Alexander Ogilvie, and the role it played for local and visiting congregations such as the French-Canadian lumberjacks stationed on Deeside during WW2.

10. Lost Deeside

Written by Daniel MacCannell, this is a lively and illuminating guide to the history of the valley and its many different but connected communities.

11. Then and Now on The Great North

Volume 1, by Graham Maxtone and Mike Cooper ( the latter of whom gave an excellent talk to the Heritage Society), was published in 2018 and contains a chapter on the Deeside line with excellent photographs and text.

approaching Aboyne Loch- with water often also on the left

Heading east for Aberdeen, sometime between 1955-1958

A unique aerial view:remarkable changes have clearly been made to the locations to the north , east and south of the Station

Where did the tunnel emerge? When the line was close down, what was the tunnel used for and by whom?

Dismantling of Aboyne Station following closure

How many Aboyne’s cyclists along the railway line would recognise this?

wooden piles by the bridge- remains of what?

This flint tool was lost at Heughhead Farm, Aboyne for 6000 years- then recently found!

The 4 musketeers at Aboyne Academy

Bob England, Jim Craig, Gordon Dinnie, Nell Dinnie and Peter Middleton (l-r) played locally in the 1940’s and 1950’s

A prehistoric spear-head found at Aboyne

This is not the Aboyne Probus Cycling group, despite initial appearances! It is John Milne, father of Robert Milne the renowned photographer of the Royal Family. (Photo taken by Robert).

12. Lordship and Power in the North of Scotland

Barry Robertson’s book is the outstanding study ot the ‘Noble House of Huntly’ in the crucial and complex 17th Century, with key insights into regional and national developments which were influenced by, and in turn shaped, the Gordon family.

13. Aboyne – a Social Miscellany

This will be the site of miscellaneous images relating to the community of Aboyne and Deeside from pre-history to the present day.

Aboyne Games 1871. Note the buildings in the background- can you spot any changes from today

Rugby Club Dinner: Scotland Rugby Captain David Sole
( from Glenbuchat) shakes hands with the Aboyne Captain: does the latter remind you of anyone?

Site of Aboyne’s Mesolithic past–extending north of the road

The missing stone from the Circle? Quite probably.

14. Fenton Wyness, Royal Valley. The Aberdeenshire Dee

Packed full of intriguing information, not all of it now reliable!

As is another breezy and enjoyable read, Cuthbert Graham’s Portrait of Aberdeen and Deeside.

15. William C. Wonders: The Sawdust Fusiliers

This book tells the fascinating story of the many Canadian loggers who came to Aboyne , and other areas of Scotland, during World War 2 , making big contributions both to the War effort and the local community, which welcomed them warmly.