19th December 2024

James Davidson, a local photographer, gave a fascinating talk on the abandoned buildings of Aberdeenshire. Drawing on a range of studies on the subject, he explained the diverse reasons for why there are so many. The general view has been that unlike some other areas of Scotland, there have been no large-scale clearances. In the main, people left these buildings because of changing land use patterns, and the prospect of better social and economic opportunities in towns and cities and overseas. His talk was brought to life by a selection of his own photographs of the buildings. These were very evocative of the lives of the people who had lived in these houses.

Sarah and Malcolm Wright gave us a fascinating talk about Frank Price who specialised in fabric and wallpaper design. He had links to artists and studios in West London, but is best known as Designer and then Chief Designer of the Silver Studio in Hammersmith, also West London.

22nd November 2024

Ewan Sargent, the Principal Teacher of Humanities at Aboyne Academy gave a fascinating talk on how History is currently taught, History being one of the Humanities. He explained the stages that young people pass through in their education, leading up to nationally approved qualifications at S4 to S6. At these later stages there is a range of topics that students taking History can cover, determined nationally. The school is free to choose from these categories – the choice to some extent depends on teacher specialisations. An example of a topic would be the Study of Queen Mary and the Reformation. We also learnt how on-line source material was being increasingly utilised. And, finally, we were invited to share information with the Academy for a project celebrating its opening 50 years ago. The school was officially opened in 1975, so the celebrations will be next year, 2025.

17th October 2024

Douglas Ledingham – A Journey Through Time

Douglas Ledingham gave a fascinating talk on using 3D photogrammetry to illustrate aspects of our physical heritage. He explained that he became interested in this technique after he came across a cupping stone in East Lothian. Cupping stones are a form of rock art dating from prehistoric times. They can be found throughout Scotland and the speaker has followed up his interest in helping to verify such stones, including in Aberdeenshire where he now lives. His expertise in 3D photogrammetry is being used to better understand Pictish stones and graveyard memorials. The technique produces 3D images that are able to enhance the artwork on a stone, and the software can be transferred to a 3D printer to produce accurate scale models. An excellent talk was enhanced by examples of his photography and several 3D models.

The first talk of the 2024/25 season on 19 September was a wonderful presentation by

Maureen Kelly on the Redcoats in Deeside. The talk focussed on the life of these

Hanoverian soldiers during the period after the last Jacobite uprising in 1745/46 and the

later period when the army was stationed in Deeside in the early nineteenth century to

counter illicit whisky distillation. The speaker explained how these soldiers came to be

named after their distinctive coloured broadcloth coats, and illustrated this and the kit

of the men. It was pointed out that Braemar Castle was used as the army’s local

quarters, housing around 70 soldiers, in fairly cramped surroundings. The speaker

brought the times alive by drawing from correspondence of a young officer posted to

Braemar in the eighteenth century.

As the Civil War raged on land, events at sea were no less crucial. The talk told how John Law, a native of Aberdeen, emigrated to Georgia where he became involved in running the Northern Blockades. Our speaker, Bob Thorp, is a recognised expert on the ships employed, and is directly descended from one of the major British shipbuilders, with whom John Law was involved.

Following January’s cancelled meeting due to adverse weather we were delighted to welcome Alan Taylor and Robert Dinnie to a near capacity society audience, where they gave an enthralling ‘fireside’ chat on their lives growing up and working in Aboyne.

Alan Taylor, a retired auctioneer, detailed the workings of the “auction mart” system in the North East.  The marts started off as a number of very local livestock markets dotted around the Shire to eventually consolidating and amalgamating into the significant Thainstone auction mart at Inverurie today. Auctioneers would visit farmers regularly not only to get to know the farmer but also the livestock plus the added bonus of scones, bannocks and perhaps drams to guard against the cold. The “mart” at Aboyne was once located on the present Aboyne Green before moving to the site now occupied by the Co-op supermarket.

To compliment Alan’s tales Robert, who confessed to being a 1938 loon,  could well recall the auctioneer visiting his farm prior to sales. He did note that Aboyne mart comprised all wooden pens which would not have coped with the strength of today’s cattle. Apart from farming anecdotes Robert recounted his vivid memories of the great gale of 1953 when he watched in awe as great stands of timber were blown flat in a spiralling tornado like motion. He also outlined  the long history of the Birse kirk, how the Queens Loch got its name thanks to visits by Queen Victoria. Robert recalled the strengthening of the Potarch bridge which thankfully,  despite many a muckle spate, remains in place today.

Members lingered at length over fine pieces to chat to Robert and Alan who were happy to answer further questions.

Brian Paterson and Sheila Kinniburgh shared their memories of living in Aboyne in days gone-bye, from the beginning of WW11 onwards, asking “d’ye mind when….. or sic and sic”? They spoke about how things were in the village, covering topics such as family and people, wartime events, businesses and shops, conditions and activities, education, church, garages and transport services, sport, or in fact anything that came to mind! This fascinating insight into how things used to be might have carried on all evening if time had not been called!

John Burrows asked us if War Memorials make us remember. He wondered if they stir our emotions.1914-1918 marked a period in history during which millions lost their lives, and which changed the European landscape. Ballater, like many other places, remembered those who fell.

Our current Programme of Talks was brought to an enthralling conclusion on 17 March with Owen Dudley Edwards’ talk on the Scottish Signatories of the American Declaration of Independence. Owen’s moving tribute to our beloved and much missed Past President, Doug Riach preceded his vivid, contextual account of the very significant part played by those of Scots ancestry, in particular James Wilson and John Weatherspoon, in the evolution of the document which has since shaped the development of the American nation.