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Kincardineshire

(Redirected fromThe Mearns)
"The Mearns" redirects here. For other uses, seeMearns.

Kincardineshireor theCounty of Kincardine,also known asthe Mearns(from theScottish GaelicA' Mhaoirnemeaning "the stewartry" ), is ahistoric county,registration countyandlieutenancy areaon the coast of north-eastScotland.It is bounded byAberdeenshireon the north, and byAnguson the south-west.

Kincardineshire
A' Mhaoirne
Historic county
CountryScotland
County townStonehaven
Area
• Total
380 sq mi (984 km2)
Ranked 22nd of 34
Chapman code
KCD
Websitehttps:// kincardineshirelieutenancy.co.uk/

The county was named after its original county town ofKincardine,nearFettercairn.The county town was moved toStonehavenin 1600, by which time the town of Kincardine was in decline; it was subsequently abandoned. Other towns in the county includeBanchory,InverbervieandLaurencekirk.

The county was abolished as an administrative area in 1975. Since 1996, most of the pre-1975 county has formed part of theAberdeenshirecouncil area,with the exception ofNigg,which is inAberdeen City.The name "Kincardine" is used inKincardine and Mearns,acommittee areaof theAberdeenshire Council,although this covers a smaller area than the county.

History

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Anciently, the area was theprovinceofMearns,bordered on the north byMarr,and on the south-west byAngus.The name of the province simply refers to its status; the more important provinces were administered by agreat steward(mormaer), while the less important ones were governed by a meresteward(maer).[1]

Map of Scottish provinces in 1689 with the Mearns labelled as 'Mernis'.

From the 12th century,sheriffswere also gradually introduced across Scotland, with responsibility for administering justice across an area known as asheriffdomor shire.[2]A sheriff for the area is known to have existed by the 1160s.[3]

The hamlet of Castleton of Kincardine, where Kincardine Castle and the original county town ofKincardineonce stood

Court cases were initially heard in the town of Kincardine, where there was a royal castle.[a]The sheriff was therefore known both as theSheriff of Kincardineand the Sheriff of the Mearns.[5]In 1296, KingJohn Balliolwrote a letter of surrender from Kincardine Castle toEdward I of Englandafter a short war that marked the beginning of theWars of Scottish Independence.

Achartergranted to theburghof Kincardine in 1532 noted the town's established role in hosting the shire's courts.[6]However, by 1600 the town was in decline. The sheriffs and visiting judges complained that the town had poor facilities for holding courts and accommodating visitors when the courts were in session, and also noted that the town was not central to the shire. An act of parliament in 1600 therefore transferred the courts to the larger and more accessible town of Stonehaven.[5]Kincardine's decline continued after 1600; its market and fair relocated to Fettercairn, and by the mid-19th century no trace remained of the former county town.[6][7]

Over time, Scotland's shires became more significant than the old provinces, with more administrative functions being given to the sheriffs. The older territory of the Mearns was therefore gradually eclipsed in legal importance by the shire of Kincardine (or Kincardineshire) which covered the same area. In 1667Commissioners of Supplywere established for each shire, which would serve as the main administrative body for the area until the creation of county councils in 1890. Following theActs of Unionin 1707, the English term 'county' came to be used interchangeably with the older term 'shire'.[8]

Stonehaven Sheriff Court,built 1865: Meeting place of Kincardineshire County Council, 1890–1935

Elected county councils were established in 1890 under theLocal Government (Scotland) Act 1889,taking most of the functions of the commissioners, which were eventually abolished in 1930. The county council held its first official meeting on 22 May 1890 at theStonehaven Sheriff Court,also known as County Buildings, the county's main courthouse (built 1865), which also served as the meeting place for the commissioners.[9][10]

The 1889 Act also led to a review of boundaries. Previously, four parishes had straddled the boundaries of Kincardineshire and its neighbours. The county and parish boundaries were therefore adjusted such that each parish was in a single county.[11]

The parish ofNiggin the north-east of the county included theTorryarea on the south bank of theRiver Dee,which by the late 19th century was developing into a suburb ofAberdeen.In 1891, Torry was incorporated into the burgh of Aberdeen.[12]Torry remained part of the county of Kincardineshire for certain judicial functions until 1899, when Aberdeen was made acounty of itself.[13]Further parts of the parish of Nigg were likewise transferred to Aberdeen in 1935 (including Nigg village) and 1970.[14][15][16]

In 1930, the county council absorbed the functions of the abolished county education authority, which had been based at offices in a converted house called Viewmount on Arduthie Road in Stonehaven. Viewmount burnt down in January 1932, and the county council took the opportunity to reconstruct and extend it to become a new headquarters, including a council chamber. The rebuilt Viewmount opened as the county council's meeting place and main offices in May 1935.[17][18]

Kincardineshire County Council was abolished in 1975 under theLocal Government (Scotland) Act 1973,which replaced Scotland's counties, burghs andlandward districtswith a two-tier structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tierdistricts.Kincardineshire became part of the newGrampianregion. The remaining rural part of the parish of Nigg was transferred to the City of Aberdeen district, and the rest of the county became part of a new district calledKincardine and Deeside,which also included south-western parts of the former county of Aberdeenshire along the River Dee.[19]Alieutenancy areacovering the pre-1975 county except Nigg was created at the same time.[20]

Further local government reforms in 1996 under theLocal Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994saw the regions and districts created in 1975 abolished and replaced withcouncil areas,with each council providing all local government services. Kincardine and Deeside district became part of the new Aberdeenshire council area.[21]At the same time, the Kincardineshire lieutenancy area was confirmed to still correspond to the pre-1975 county excluding Nigg.[22]The boundaries of the historic county of Kincardineshire (as it was in 1891 prior to the removal of Torry) are still used for some limited official purposes connected with land registration, being aregistration county.[23]Aberdeenshire Council has a Kincardine and Mearns area committee which covers most of the pre-1975 county.[24]

Geography

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Clachnaben
Countryside around Glenbervie

Roughly triangular in shape, Kincardineshire consists of the largely flatStrathmorearea running parallel with the coast, with hillier, forested country in the interior, the latter forming part of theGrampian Mountains.The highest point isMount Battockat 778 m (2,552 ft), lying on the border with Angus.

The county included theburghsofStonehaven,Banchory,InverbervieandLaurencekirk.Other settlements includedDrumoak,Muchalls,NewtonhillandPortlethen.Mearnsextended to Hill of Fare north of theRiver Dee.

Rivers

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Among the rivers areCowie Water,Carron Water,Luther Water,Burn of Muchalls,Burn of Pheppie,Burn of Elsick,Burn of Monboys,Bervie Waterand the lower reaches of theRiver Dee.

Structures and sites

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Coat of arms

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The county's coat of arms displayed and reflected the history of theHonours of Scotland,which were kept atDunnottar Castleand later atKinneff,both within the historical boundaries of the county, during theWars of the Three Kingdoms.It was:Gules, the Sceptre and Sword of Scotland crosswise in saltire, with theCrown of Scotlandin chief and a ruined castle on a mound in base, all or.The motto wasLAUS DEO,Latin for "Praise God". It was originally the motto of theViscounts of Arbuthnott,whose seat is in the county, and the14th Viscountwas Lord Lieutenant of Kincardine at the time of the arms' matriculation by theLord Lyonin 1927.[26]

Constituency

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There was aKincardineshire constituencyof theHouse of Commonsof theParliament of Great Britainfrom 1708 to 1801 and of theParliament of the United Kingdomfrom 1801 to 1918, representing the county of Kincardineshire, minus theparliamentary burghofInverbervie.Inverbervie was a component of theAberdeen District of Burghsfrom 1708 to 1832 and of theMontrose District of Burghsfrom 1832 to 1950.

In 1918 the Kincardineshire constituency was merged with part of theWestern Aberdeenshire constituencyto form theKincardine and Western Aberdeenshire constituency.

In 1950 Kincardine and Western Aberdeenshire was divided between theWest Aberdeenshire constituencyand theNorth Angus and Mearns constituency.North Angus and Mearns then covered the whole of the county of Kincardineshire, including the former parliamentary burgh of Inverbervie, and part of the county ofAngus,the latter being previously within theForfarshire constituency.

In 1983, eight years after the abolition of the local government county of Kincardineshire, North Angus and Mearns was replaced by new constituencies.

The county currently makes up part of theWest Aberdeenshire and Kincardine constituencyof the House of Commons.

Transport

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Rail

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Stonehaven railway station

TheEdinburgh-Aberdeen railway lineruns parallel to the coast and through the towns of Laurencekirk, Stonehaven and Portlethen.

Historic transport routes

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The ancientCausey Mounthroad was built on high ground to make passable this only available medieval route from coastal points south toAberdeen.This ancient passage specifically connected theBridge of DeetoMuchalls Castle,Cowie Castle(and effectivelyDunnottar Castle). The route was that taken by theEarl MarischalandMarquess of Montrosewhen they led aCovenanterarmy of 9,000 men in the first battle of theBishops' Warsin 1639.[27]

Elsick Mounthis a prehistorictrackwayused by theCaledoniantribes as well as the Roman army in their northern invasion of theScottish Highlands.[28]

Settlements

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  • Balnagask
  • Bridge of Muchalls
  • Catterline
  • Stonehaven

Notable people

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The authorLewis Grassic Gibbon,born James Leslie Mitchell, was a Scottish writer. HisSunset Songis one of the best-known Scottish novels of the 20th century. It was voted Scotland's favourite book in a poll announced at the 2005 Edinburgh International Book Festival.[29]Set in a fictional village in the Mearns, the book draws heavily from Mitchell's upbringing inArbuthnott.One of the key features of the book, and some of his other writing, is the balanced and immersive use of the localDoricScotsdialect mixed with standard English, in a manner easily and enjoyably accessible to someone unfamiliar with the North East of Scotland.

Notable residents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^The town of Kincardine was in the parish ofFordoun,north-east ofFettercairn.[4]It should not be confused with other places called Kincardine, such asKincardine O'Neilin the province ofMarrorKincardine-on-ForthinFife.
  1. ^"About Kincardineshire".Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire.Retrieved10 August2024.
  2. ^"Sheriff Court Records".National Records of Scotland.Retrieved10 August2024.
  3. ^Jervise, Andrew (1861).Memorials of Angus and the Mearns.Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black. p. 9.Retrieved10 August2024.
  4. ^"Fettercairn, Scotland".Archived fromthe originalon 1 January 2013.Retrieved8 October2008.
  5. ^abBrown, K. M., ed. (2007). "Act regarding the burgh of Stonehaven in the Mearns".The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707.St Andrews.Retrieved11 August2024.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^abCrichton-Stuart (Marquess of Bute), John; Stevenson, J. H.; Lonsdale, H. W. (1903).The Arms of the Baronial and Police Burghs of Scotland(2015 facsimile copy ed.). The Armorial Register. p. 300.Retrieved11 August2024.
  7. ^"Kincardine".Canmore.Historic Environment Scotland.Retrieved11 August2024.
  8. ^Brown, Keith."Act of the convention of estates of the kingdom of Scotland etc. for a new and voluntary offer to his majesty of £72,000 monthly for the space of twelve months, 23 January 1667".Records of the Parliament of Scotland.University of St Andrews.Retrieved25 February2023.
  9. ^"Kincardineshire County Council".Stonehaven Journal.29 May 1890. p. 3.Retrieved11 August2024.
  10. ^Historic Environment Scotland."Stonehaven Sheriff Court House and Police Station, including boundary walls, Dunnottar Avenue, Bogwell Lane, Stonehaven (LB41617)".Retrieved26 December2022.
  11. ^Shennan, Hay (1892).Boundaries of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889.Edinburgh: W. Green. p. 186.Retrieved11 August2024.
  12. ^"Aberdeen Corporation Act 1891"(PDF).legislation.gov.uk.The National Archives.Retrieved10 August2024.
  13. ^"Aberdeen Corporation Act 1899 (c. 60)".legislation.gov.uk.The National Archives.Retrieved5 February2023.
  14. ^"'Greater Aberdeen' now in being ".Aberdeen Press and Journal.30 May 1935. p. 8.Retrieved11 August2024.
  15. ^"Nigg Scottish Parish".A Vision of Britain through Time.GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth.Retrieved11 August2024.
  16. ^"Aberdeen Extension Order Confirmation Act 1970".legislation.gov.uk.The National Archives.Retrieved11 August2024.
  17. ^"Ideal working conditions for Kincardine's public servants: Home of efficiency and comfort arises from ashes of Viewmount".Mearns Leader.Stonehaven. 9 May 1935. p. 12.Retrieved11 August2024.
  18. ^Historic Environment Scotland."Arduthie Road, Viewmount, Council Offices including nuclear bunker, ancillary building, boundary walls, gatepiers and railings (LB50245)".Retrieved11 August2024.
  19. ^"Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,1973 c. 65,retrieved17 April2023
  20. ^"The Lord-Lieutenants Order 1975",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,SI 1975/428,retrieved3 August2024
  21. ^"Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,1994 c. 39,retrieved17 April2023
  22. ^"The Lord-Lieutenants (Scotland) Order 1996",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,SI 1996/731,retrieved3 August2024
  23. ^"Land Mass Coverage Report"(PDF).Registers of Scotland. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 3 March 2016.Retrieved16 May2015.
  24. ^"Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee".Aberdeenshire Council.Retrieved11 August2024.
  25. ^"Lewis Grassic Gibbon Centre".Retrieved29 April2007.
  26. ^Urquhart, R.M.Scottish Burgh and County Heraldry(1973 ed.). Heraldry Today. p. 99.consulted 20 December 2013.
  27. ^Archibald Watt,Highways and Byways around Kincardineshire,Stonehaven Heritage Society (1985)
  28. ^C. Michael Hogan,Elsick Mounth,Megalithic Portal, A. Burnham ed. (2005)[1]
  29. ^Canongate Books(29 August 2005)."Sunset Song – Scotland's Best Read".Archived fromthe originalon 24 April 2007.Retrieved29 April2007.
  30. ^"Ceylon Tea Museum".ceylonteamuseum.Retrieved19 March2019.
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56°55′N2°30′W/ 56.917°N 2.500°W/56.917; -2.500

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