Wednesday 29 June 2011

Braemar Scotland and Otago New Zealand.

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Braemar Castle.Braemar Castle.

Surprise! The heat wave that has been hitting Britain for the last few days seems to have crept up into Scotland. We are not experiencing the 30+ degree temperatures but it is a lot warmer than it has been, at least now we are in double figures.

Invercauld Arms hotel, Braemar, stands where the royal standard was raised in 1715.Invercauld Arms Hotel, Braemar, stands where the royal standard was raised in 1715.

River Dee, Braemar where 4 water wheel ran mills for the area.River Dee, Braemar where 4 water wheel ran mills for the area.

Walking boot’s to the fore and we headed off into the great metropolis of Braemar. I don’t think either of us expected to discover what we did, both in the town and the Kirkyard (graveyard). The latter was most interesting. Walking among the headstones it took us a while to twig to the fact that all the married women were named presumably by their maiden name and not their married name. To begin with we thought that they were all just living together as they seem to do today but that would have been frowned upon in the 1800’s.

Fife Arms hotel, another large hotel in Braemar. The town was renowned for it's hotels and guest houses.Fife Arms Hotel, another large hotel in Braemar. The town was renowned for it's hotels and guest houses.

Lovely wee cottage in Braemar.Lovely wee cottage in Braemar.

One headstone was of great interest as it had a Braemar/New Zealand connection. Member’s of the Shaw family had emigrated to Palmerston South,Otago. We know it as just Palmerston. John Shaw is recorded as dying there in 1908 and his sister (presumably) married into the Reid family and she died there in 1907. Any connection to somebody you know? For anybody doing a family tree, the Scottish Kirkyards are a mass of information as the headstones carry the history of some families going back 3 generations. This included date of birth, death, occupation and to whom married. Some even named where they died, i.e some cottage or farm or even several at Balmoral Castle, the loyal servants of royalty. Most interesting reading.

Mausoleum in the Braemar Kirkyard.Mausoleum in the Braemar Kirkyard.

A connection with Otago NZ found in the Braemar Kirkyard. Shaw and Reid families.A connection with Otago NZ found in the Braemar Kirkyard. Shaw and Reid families.

Next was a quick visit to the Braemar Castle. It is run by the community after being leased to the town by Mrs Frances Farquharson on a 50 year lease. As it is volunteer run, it only opens on week-ends but you can wander around the grounds. Built in 1628 by the Earl of Mar as a hunting lodge it became embroiled in the Jacobite wars when it was burned by Black John (Farquharson) in support of the Stewart Kings. After the 1746 Battle of Culloden when the Jacobites were defeated it was resurrected and used as a military base for Government troops to keep an eye on the troublesome inhabitants of Braemar. They must have been a bad bunch.

Summer house in the grounds of Braemar castle. Thatched with Heather.Summer house in the grounds of Braemar Castle. Thatched with Heather.

The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife memorial park, Braemar. The venue for the Braemar Highland Games.The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Braemar. The venue for the Braemar Highland Games.

Braemar also hold two UK weather records.  In January 1982 the lowest temperature was recorded at -27.20C and the town has the lowest annual average temperature of 6.350C.  Prince Consort set up a meteorological observatory to record the areas temperatures which has now been replaced by a modern weather station.  Today we managed to hit 190C, Wow.

This Toad nearly got trod on in the Braemar Kirkyard.This Toad nearly got himself trod on in the Braemar Kirkyard.

Bristol Pegasus XVIII engine recovered in 1999 from a 1942 crash site in the Grampian Mountains.Bristol Pegasus XVIII engine recovered in 1999 from a 1942 crash site in the Grampian Mountains.

Back in town we found the house where in the summer of 1881 Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the book, ‘Treasure Island’, There is also a room dedicated to him in the Braemar Castle. Braemar is only a small town but it is huge in history and well worth the time to visit.

The house where Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island in 1881.The house where Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island in 1881.

Family cabins at a local hotel in Braemar.Family cabins at a local hotel in Braemar.

6 comments:

Rojer said...

As one who spent 3 years living in a motorhome, chiefly in Scotland, and is now living within 100 yards of a canal (Chesterfield Canal @ Worksop), may I just say how much I'm enjoying reading your blog.

Derek and Dot said...

Hi Rojer

Thanks for those kind words, yes we enjoy the life, life is for living and Scotland has beautiful scenery. We do miss the canals though.

Tom and Jan said...

Hi D & D,

Did you know that Robert Louis Stevenson is buried in Western Samoa? His grave is on a hill overlooking the capital, Apia.

Derek and Dot said...

Hi Tom and Jan
Now you mention it, I just had a memory lapse.

Jenny said...

I came across your blog doing a google search on the Reid family in Palmerston Otago amazingly enough Charles Reid is the brother of my 4x great grandfather. I was in Braemar 2 years ago but had no idea there was something there on the Reid family.
And what is funnier is you are travelling around the SI at the moment with my friend Jenny and I have been keeping up with everyones travels on Jenny and Robins blog.

Derek and Dot said...

Hi Jenny
It shows what a small small world we live in.