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A Parish in the County of Kincardine by Archd. Cowie Cameron (1899).
The writing of this History of Fettercairn was first suggested to the author in 1882, after delivering a public lecture on the subject. He hesitated very much to take up the suggestion, from the fear that the task would prove too formidable for his time and resources; but on the other hand, from a sympathetic feeling towards all that concerned the past and the present of the parish, he resolved to proceed and do his best to collect and record in a permanent form such details as could be gathered from the various sources of information. Had the idea of collecting materials for such a work been entertained forty or forty-five years ago, the author could have given with greater fulness and accuracy a record of local history and traditionary incidents now forgotten, by committing to writing the recollections of old people living, many of whose traditionary tales have now escaped his memory.
While the indulgence of the reader is craved for errors detected or mistakes discovered, neither pains nor labour have been spared to make the History as full and correct as possible. The main object has been to preserve and diffuse a knowledge of the history, antiquities, and traditions of the parish; and it is hoped that the effort will be favourably received.
The author offers no apology for mixing up the narrative of events with anecdotes and with minute details of local matters which may appear of little interest to general readers, because the work has been prepared chiefly for the people of Fettercairn. He may be charged with trespassing on the parish of Fordoun by having included a general account of the Castle and lands of Kincardine; but from their proximity to and connection with Fettercairn, no history of it could be otherwise complete.
Many persons besides those noticed in the body of the work have kindly helped with information; but only a few can be specially mentioned, although all are gratefully remembered.
Thanks are due to Sir John R. Gladstone, Bart, of Fasque, not only for being the first to suggest the work, but for his interest in its progress; also to his relative, Robert Gladstone, jun., Esq., Liverpool, for revisal of the notes on the Gladstone family. For the chapters on Church and School, the author is much indebted to the Rev. John Brown, Clerk to the Presbytery of Fordoun, for access to the Presbytery Records, and also to the Rev. William Anderson for taking extracts from the same. The more recent inscriptions in Fasque Chapel were kindly communicated by the Rev. Andrew H. Belcher; several valuable documents were supplied by the Rev. James C. M'Clure; searches in the Register House, Edinburgh, were made by the Rev. A. I. Ritchie; and some interesting reminiscences have been received from the Rev. John Falconer and from Mr David Prain, Fettercairn.
The following works, among others referred to in the book, have been consulted: Scott's Ecclesiae Scoticanae; the works of Andrew Jervise, F.S.A.; History of the Carnegies; Biscoe's Earls of Middleton; Dr. Cramond's Annals of Fordoun; Dr. Marshall's Historic Scenes; Robertson's Index of Records and Charters; the Black-book of Kincardineshire; Spalding's "Memorialls of the Trubles in Scotland"; the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland; and the Kincardineshire Retours.
Altonvar, Paisley,
June, 1899.
And so we embark on another book which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/fettercairn
Alastair
The writing of this History of Fettercairn was first suggested to the author in 1882, after delivering a public lecture on the subject. He hesitated very much to take up the suggestion, from the fear that the task would prove too formidable for his time and resources; but on the other hand, from a sympathetic feeling towards all that concerned the past and the present of the parish, he resolved to proceed and do his best to collect and record in a permanent form such details as could be gathered from the various sources of information. Had the idea of collecting materials for such a work been entertained forty or forty-five years ago, the author could have given with greater fulness and accuracy a record of local history and traditionary incidents now forgotten, by committing to writing the recollections of old people living, many of whose traditionary tales have now escaped his memory.
While the indulgence of the reader is craved for errors detected or mistakes discovered, neither pains nor labour have been spared to make the History as full and correct as possible. The main object has been to preserve and diffuse a knowledge of the history, antiquities, and traditions of the parish; and it is hoped that the effort will be favourably received.
The author offers no apology for mixing up the narrative of events with anecdotes and with minute details of local matters which may appear of little interest to general readers, because the work has been prepared chiefly for the people of Fettercairn. He may be charged with trespassing on the parish of Fordoun by having included a general account of the Castle and lands of Kincardine; but from their proximity to and connection with Fettercairn, no history of it could be otherwise complete.
Many persons besides those noticed in the body of the work have kindly helped with information; but only a few can be specially mentioned, although all are gratefully remembered.
Thanks are due to Sir John R. Gladstone, Bart, of Fasque, not only for being the first to suggest the work, but for his interest in its progress; also to his relative, Robert Gladstone, jun., Esq., Liverpool, for revisal of the notes on the Gladstone family. For the chapters on Church and School, the author is much indebted to the Rev. John Brown, Clerk to the Presbytery of Fordoun, for access to the Presbytery Records, and also to the Rev. William Anderson for taking extracts from the same. The more recent inscriptions in Fasque Chapel were kindly communicated by the Rev. Andrew H. Belcher; several valuable documents were supplied by the Rev. James C. M'Clure; searches in the Register House, Edinburgh, were made by the Rev. A. I. Ritchie; and some interesting reminiscences have been received from the Rev. John Falconer and from Mr David Prain, Fettercairn.
The following works, among others referred to in the book, have been consulted: Scott's Ecclesiae Scoticanae; the works of Andrew Jervise, F.S.A.; History of the Carnegies; Biscoe's Earls of Middleton; Dr. Cramond's Annals of Fordoun; Dr. Marshall's Historic Scenes; Robertson's Index of Records and Charters; the Black-book of Kincardineshire; Spalding's "Memorialls of the Trubles in Scotland"; the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland; and the Kincardineshire Retours.
Altonvar, Paisley,
June, 1899.
And so we embark on another book which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/fettercairn
Alastair