New Deer

The main street in New Deer

New Deer (Scottish Gaelic: Achadh Reite) is a settlement in Aberdeenshire, North East Scotland that lies in the valley of Deer. It was founded after monks from Deer Abbey, Old Deer built a chapel at Auchreddie, which translates as "field of the bog myrtle". Around 1507 the register of Deer Abbey lists its lands in the "new paroche of Deir". The name Auchreddie has dropped in significance over the years, however the southern end of the village is still known by this name.^[1]

In 1805 New Deer was extended to the north by the third James Ferguson of Pitfour (1735–1820), the elder brother of Patrick Ferguson.^[1]

Village features

St Kane's Church, New Deer

Churches

There are three churches in the village, only one of which (St Kane’s) still functions as a religious establishment; it belongs to the Church of Scotland. One is now used as a gym hall of the primary school and the other one is currently being built into flats New Deer (St Kane’s) Primary School sits behind the main church, in the centre of the village.

St Kane’s opened a church centre in 2003, next-door to the church. The building was previously a long-running local general store and accompanying house. The centre includes a café and is used for various community activities.^[2]

Culsh Monument

The Culsh Monument

Stands on a hill to the north of the village and commemorates William Dingwall Fordyce. Local Brucklay estate landlord, Fordyce was Aberdeenshire's first MP.^[3][4]

Fedderate Castle

The ruins of Fedderate Castle are to be found 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north of the village.

Pubs

New Deer is currently host to three public houses, The Brucklay Arms on Main street, The Howe (Earl of Aberdeen Arms), situated on Auchreddie Road East and The Royal British Legion, opposite St. Kane's church.

Amenities

The Royal Bank of Scotland in 2009

• Banks
  • There has been a bank in the village since at least 1847. For many years this was the Clydesdale Bank until 2006 when the Royal Bank of Scotland took over the branch.^[5] Historically the New Deer Savings Bank (est. 1847, and which became part of Trustee Savings Bank (TSB) in 1863), also provided a service to residents, but TSB left the village in the 1980s.^[6]
• Builders
• Butchers
• Café (seasonal)
• Doctors
• Pharmacy
• General Grocery Stores
• The Grampian Wildlife Rehabilitation Trust, providing help to various wildlife including Seals.^[7]
• Hairdressers
• Photographer
• Post Office
• Delicatessen
• Vets
• Kilt maker & kilt hire shop
• Paintballing Centre

Prehistory

The local vicinity is rich with prehistory and historical features. There are found a number of prehistoric monuments including Catto Long Barrow,^[8] Silver Cairn and numerous tumuli. In that same locale of the Laeca Burn watershed is the point d'appui of historic battles between invading Danes and indigenous Picts.

Events

• An Agricultural show that has been running for over 150 years.^[9]
• Gala
• Barn Dance - selling over 600 tickets 24Hrs. First year a sell-out has occurred. Tickets are now selling for £50 each, five times the retail price.

Local notables

• William Dingwall Fordyce, MP
• Bertie Charles Forbes, was born and buried in New Deer.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} New Deer
2. ^ St Kane’s church
3. ^ Banff and Buchan Arts Forum
4. ^ Aberdeenshire West
5. ^ Buchanie news article
6. ^ Glasgow University Archives Service
7. ^ Wildlife hospital
8. ^ C. Michael Hogan (2008) Catto Long Barrow fieldnotes, Modern Antiquarian [1]
9. ^ Agricultural Show

Coordinates: 57°30′N 2°12′W / 57.5°N 2.2°W / 57.5; -2.2