MARNOCH, a parish, in the county of Banff, S^
miles (S. W. by S.) from Banff; containing, with the
village of Aberchirder, 2691 inhabitants. This parish
was originally called Aberchirder, a name taken, as is
supposed, from the estate of Sir David Aberkerder,
Thane of Aberkerder, who lived about the year 1400, and
was proprietor of a large part of the parish; he paid
revenue to the see of Moray, and eventually his daughter
was married to Sir Robert Innes, brother to Sir John
Innes, the latter of whom was bishop of Moray for seven
years previously to 1414. The village is still called by
the ancient name of Aberchirder, which is said to signify
"the head or opening of the moss", and to have been
used on account of the situation of the estate at the edge
of an extensive moss. The term now applied to the parish
is derived from Saint Marnoch. The parish is
situated on the northern bank of the river Doveron,
along which it extends for about six miles, some of the
extreme points, however, being eight miles apart. In
breadth it extends from the stream five or six miles, with
a fine southern exposure; the whole comprising thirtyfour
square miles. On the borders of the river are some
fine haughs; its banks are distinguished for their richlydiversified
and beautifully-picturesque scenery, and include
a variety of objects that invest the landscape with
the highest interest.
The estate of Ardmellie, ornamented with a number of
large trees, and the mansion-house, situated in the midst
of well-cultivated grounds, and commanding an extensive
view of the valley of the Doveron, commence the
series of varied spots receiving from, and communicating
to, the winding course of the stream a pleasing and impressive
effect. In this part abruptly rises the wellwooded
hill of Ardmellie, the highest ground in the parish;
at whose foot, on the bank of the river, which here
receives the burn of Crombie, stands the manse. The
church occupies an eminence at a little distance; it was
once surrounded by a Druidical circle, now only marked
by two remaining stones. The churchyard, at the margin
of the stream, is rendered especially interesting by
the ruin of the old church, and several superior monuments.
Among these, one, conspicuous for its richlycarved
ornaments, is to the memory of " Reverendus et
pius Geo. Meldrum de Crombie et quondam de Glass
praeco "; he was minister of Glass, and laird of Crombie
in this parish, and died in 169'2, aged seventy-six. Attached
to the monument is a finely-executed half-length
figure of him in stone, represented wearing a cap, and in
his full canonicals, with a book in his hand. At a short
distance from this spot, the river displays several windings;
and a little further is a bridge of two arches, built
in 1806, below which the scenery derives interest from
the ancient mansion of Kinairdij. This is a structure of
very singular appearance, somewhat similar to a tower,
situated on a promontory at the confluence of the burn
of Kinairdy with the Doveron, and once the property,
with a large portion of land in the vicinity, of the Crichtons
of PVendraught. The property of Kinairdy subsequently
passed into the hands of David Gregory, Esq., one
of whose sons was the inventor of the telescope that bears
his name. Therivcrafterwards pursues its beautiful course
towards the church, manse, and village of Inverkeithny,
on the opposite bank, about two miles distant. Here is
Chapelton, on the Marnoch side, where it is thought a
place of worship once stood. At a little distance appears
the handsome modern mansion of Netherdale, with
gardens and grounds finely laid out, and flourishing beech
hedges: this property completes the striking line of the
course of the Doveron in this locality. The surface in
the centre of the parish, from east to west, consists of
several hills and undulations, mostly crowned with
thriving plantations, and having intervening straths well
cultivated, and v\atered by small rivulets.
The SOIL is in general damp and mossy; in some parts
it is dry, and in the southern portion it generally produces
early crops. On the hill of Crombie are extensive
mosses, supplying plenty of peat. Agriculture has made
considerable advances during the last quarter of a century;
in which period, by draining, by the cultivation of
waste land, and other improvements, the rental of the
parish has been increased to the extent of one-third: the
annual value of real property is now £7898. Improvements
have also taken place in the breeds of cattle,
through crosses with superior stock. Granite of excellent
quality occurs in two localities; it is extensively
quarried, and blue limestone is found on the estate of
Ardmeilie. In addition to the mansions already noticed,
there is an old building at Crombie, the property of the
Earl of Seafield, situated in the western quarter of the parish;
it consists at present of only three stories, but it was
formerly much higher, and appears to have been a place of
some strength. The house of Auchinloul, on the largest
property in Marnoch, and situated near the middle of
the parish, was once the residence of General Alexander
Gordon. He entered the Russian service as a cadet,
under Peter the Great, and for his valour in the wars
carried on against Charles XII., King of Sweden, was
raised by the emperor to the rank of major-general:
after his return to his native country, he wrote the history
of his patron. Being involved, however, in the
troubles of 1715, by taking part with the Highland clans
at Sheriffmuir, and by other acts, he was attainted for
treason and compelled to escape to France; but having
remained there for several years, he returned, and died
here at the age of eighty-two. The mansion consists of
three sides of a square, one of which was built by the
general; and is a large plain building, much improved
by the present proprietor. It has a handsome quadrilateral
range of oflRees, with hot-houses and a conservatory,
as also fine gardens, and grounds ornamented with
belts of plantations; and is much indebted for its pleasantness
to its commanding situation. The mansionhouse
of Cluny, on the east, is an elegant edifice built of
granite, to the grounds of which is attached some thriving wood.
The only village is Aberchirder, which see. There are
regular markets for hiring servants at Whitsuntide
and Martinmas; a weekly grain-market on Mondays
during the winter; and an annual market for cattle and
horses, called Marnoch fair, on the second Tuesday in
March. Ecclesiastically the parish is in the presbytery
of Strathbogie, synod of Moray, and in the patronage of
the Earl of Fife: the minister's stipend is £'220, with a
manse, and a glebe of seven acres and a half, valued at
£21 per annum. Marnoch church is a very plain building,
erected in the earlier part of the present century.
There are places of worship for members of the Free
Church, Episcopalians, Baptists, the United Presbyterian
Church, and Roman Catholics. The parochial
school affords instruction in the usual branches: the
master has a salary of £34, with a house, and from £15
to £25 fees; also about £53 from Dick's bequest, Bruce's
legacy, and his office of session-clerk. There is an extensive
library for parochial use.