FETTERCAIRN, a parish and burgh of barony in the county of Kincardine,
15^ miles (W. S. W.) from
Stonehaven; containing 1*93 inhabitants, of whom 3*2
are in the burgh. This place is supposed to have derived
its name from several cairns (on the face or ascent
of one of the mountains by which it is bounded on the
north) raised over the remains of the warriors who fell
in battles which, according to tradition, were fought in
this pass of the Grampians. The only event of historical
importance connected with the parish, is the murder of
Kenneth III., King of Scotland, which took place in the
castle of Fenella about a mile westward of the village.
The details of this occurrence, though variously recorded
by historians, ascribe the murder to Fenella, the proprietor
of the castle, in resentment of the death of her
son, whom that monarch had sentenced to execution for
rebellion. Fetfercairn was formerly the property of the
Middletons, of whom John, the zealous adherent of
Charles I. and Charles II., was after the Restoration
created Earl of Middleton and Viscount Fettercairn;
and the estate continued in the possession of that family
till 1777, when it was purchased by Sir John Stuart,
Bart., maternal grandfather of the present proprietor.
Though possessing the privileges of a burgh of barony,
the village is not distinguished by any features of importance.
There are two libraries, one of which, of
about 500 volumes, is the property of the Fettercairn
Club, and the other, containing nearly an equal number,
is parochial, and supported by subscription. At Nethermill,
adjoining the village, is a distillery of whisky from
malt only; and at Arnhall, on the banks of the North
Esk, is a mill for carding and spinning wool, and manufacturing
coarse woollen-cloths. The post-office, under
that of Montrose, has a regular delivery; and facility of
communication is afforded by good roads, kept in repair
by statute labour, and which pass through the village,
and intersect the parish in various directions. The
PARISH, which is situated in the western portion of the
county, on the south of the Grampian hills, is bounded
on the south-west by the North Esk river for about
three miles, and is nearly eight miles in length and four
and a half in breadth, comprising an area of 13,000
acres, of which 7500 are arable, 1800 woodland and
plantations, and the remainder pasture, moss, and waste.
Its surface rises gradually, in gentle undulations, to the
base of the Grampian hills, of which the highest within
the parish has not an elevation of more than I6OO feet
above the level of the sea. There are numerous springs,
some of them with a chalybeate property; but the only
river is the North Esk, over which is the romantic bridge
of Gannachy, connecting the parish with that of Edzell,
a structure of one arch thirty feet in height and fiftytwo
feet span, springing from two precipitous rocks: it
was built in 1732 by Mr. Black, of Edzell.
The soil is various, in some parts alluvial, in some a
stiff clay, and in others a deep moss alternated with
gravel; the crops are wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, and
turnips. The system of agriculture has been considerably
improved under the auspices of the Fettercairn
Club, who hold their meetings in the village: tracts of
the waste land have been reclaimed by draining; the
farm-buildings are comfortable and substantial, the
lands well inclosed, and on most of the farms threshingmills
have been erected. Much attention is paid to the
improvement of live stock. The sheep, with the exception
of a few Cheviots, are generally of the black-faced
breed; and the black- cattle, of the Angusshire, with
some of the Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire. Considerable
numbers of swine are also reared, all of the Chinese
breed. The annual value of real property in the parish
is £9107- The plantations, which are extensive, consist
of the usual varieties, the most conspicuous being ash,
beech, and fir; they are under careful management, and
in a thriving state. The principal substrata are red
freestone, whinstone, and limestone; and porcelain clay
of fine quality is found on the banks of a small burn, at
Balnakettle. Fettercairn House is an ancient edifice, to
which large additions have been lately made by Sir John
Stuart Forbes, Bart., the proprietor. Fasque is a spacious
house in the castellated style, beautifully situated
on an eminence, in diversified grounds, in which is a fine
sheet of water twenty acres in extent, which, with the
stately approach to the house, was formed by the present
owner. Sir John Gladstone, Bart. The Burn House
is a handsome modern mansion, on the banks of the
North Esk, in a richly-planted demesne, tastefully laid
out in walks, and commanding much picturesque scenery.
Balbegno Castle is an ancient and spacious building, on
the parapet of which are various sculptures and the date
1509; the interior contains a noble hall, whose lofty
roof of stone is richly groined, and divided into sixteen
compartments, in which are emblazoned the armorial
bearings of the sixteen peers of Scotland.
For ECCLESIASTICAL purposes the parish is within the
bounds of the presbytery of Fordoun, synod of Angus
and Mearns. The minister's stipend is £232, with a
manse, and a glebe valued at £20 per annum; patron,
the Crown. Fettercairn church, erected in 1804, and
enlarged in 1839, is a handsome structure, with a tower,
and spire rising to the height of 104 feet; it is beautifully
situated, and contains 1000 sittings, a number
which may be easily augmented. The members of the
Free Church have a place of worship. The parochial
school is well conducted; the master has a salary of
£34, with a house and garden, and the fees average
about £30 per annum, to which may be added £1. 15.,
the rent of a bequest in land. A female school in the
village is supported by Sir John Stuart Forbes, who
provides a school-room and house rent-free for the mistress,
to whom he pays a salary, in addition to the school
fees. An almshouse has been built by Sir John Gladstone
for eight people, to each of whom he allows a room
and garden. Dr. Ramsay, of Barbadoes, bequeathed the
sum of £500; Provost Christie, of Montrose, £50; James
Black, the builder of Gannachy bridge, 200 merks;
George Cooper, of Slateford, £20; R. Valentine, of Bogindollo,
£50; Anthony Glen, of Luthermuir, £20; and
James Smith, of Fettercairn, several houses; all for the
relief of the poor of the parish. In the village is preserved
the ancient cross of Kincardine, an octagonal
column to which is an ascent of six circular stone steps:
on the capital are the arms of John, Earl of Middleton,
with his coronet and initials. Greencairn, the supposed
residence of Dame Fenella, is now a heap of shapeless
ruins.