A small town in E Aberdeenshire, Kintore is situated close to the River Don on the A96 road, 13 miles (21 km) north west of Aberdeen, Kintore is full of history stretching from prehistoric times to present day that would keep amateur historians busy for a long time.  Channel 4's Time Team would need to dedicate a whole series or two to investigate the area around Kintore.  Below is just a small sample of the history that surrounds Kintore.  Much more is known but much more is still to be discovered.

Prehistoric

The name Kintore is thought to comes from the Gaelic, Ceann-an-torr. "Ceann" which means the head, or the end, and "Torr" which means a round hill.   This signifies that the town was at the head or end of a round hill and is thought to refer to Tuach Hill situated to the south of the town.

The area has always been a popular settlement area since pre-historic times.  A Mesolithic site was uncovered on the outskirts of Kintore in October 2004.  Archaeologists believe that these dwellings maybe the earliest settlements not just in Aberdeenshire, but in Scotland.  Mr. Cook, of Edinburgh-based AOC Archaeology, which recently opened an office in Aberdeen, said: "We are looking at the earliest settlement in Aberdeenshire, if not Scotland. The whole of the Kintore landscape is of national significance. There are only three or four Mesolithic sites identified in Aberdeenshire."

Other archaeological excavations have found 44 neothlithic round houses (more than any other place in Scotland) and remains dating back as far as 5,000 years BC.  In fact more neolithic pottery has been found in Kintore than the whole of Aberdeenshire put together.  There are three known ancient burial sites.  These are Boghead, Tauch Hill and what was Castle Hill.   Archaeologists have stated that the "the whole of the Kintore landscape is of national significance".

Romans

Some of the most northerly marching Roman camps in Britain have also been found Kintore along with more bread bins that the rest of Britain put together.  It is thought that the bread bins were used to feed the roman army on a diet of what effectively pizza.  The camps are thought to have been part of a chain running to Edinburgh, ferrying troops on route to the Battle of Mons Grampius against the Picts.

The first camp was identified in 1867/8 by Captain E.H. Courtney, at which time the rampart measured about 18 ft. across and in places stood 6 or 8 ft high.   The camp measures about 2,000 ft. E-W, by about ¼ mile N-S.  The ditch varies both in overall dimensions and in form; U-shaped and only around 8¾ ft wide by 2½ ft deep (c.2.7 x 0.75 m) at the NE angle but around 10½ ft wide by 4½ ft deep (3.2 x 1.4 m), and with a V-profile elsewhere.

The second camp was discovered from the air in 1976 and investigated on the ground the same year, lies only ¾-mile north of the larger Camp #1. The ditch is V-shaped, 4 ft. wide and a maximum of 2½ ft. deep (1.2 x 0.76 m). The lie of the ground in the locality limits the area available for occupation to around 30 acres.

Another camp was identified at Deers Den where archaeologists undertook a major excavation project between 2002 and 2004 prior to work starting on the housing developments that now cover the area.

More information about recent Archaelogical work in kintore visit:

• Aberdeenshire Archaelogical Project Website

• History Scotland

• Kintore Community Website

One interesting fact is that more medieval coin hoards have been found in Aberdeenshire than anywhere else in Britain.

First Royal Burgh

A former royal burgh, the town is said to have been granted its charter in the 9th Century by Kenneth II after its inhabitants assisted him in his fight against the Picts.  The inhabitants of Kintore helped King Kenneth II to victory over the Danes at the battle of Tauch Hill.

It is said that the enemy fled in terror when locals covered their cattle in Oak leaves and drove them back.  Kintore's ancient seal consists of cattle and oaktree.  In 1959 Kintore was presented with its Heraldic coat of arms by the Lord Provost of the Burgh.  The coat of arms was in the shape of a shield with an Oak tree in the centre supported by two horned bulls standing upright on their back legs.  Underneath is the motto “Truth is Strength”.

Battle of Harlaw

One of the duties of a Provost was to lead citizens into battle, and this had sad consequences in 1411 when a citizen army, led by Aberdeen's Provost Davidson, joined the Lairds of the Garioch at Harlaw to repulse a Highland army under Donald, Lord of the Isles. The slaughter was great and many prominent people fell including Aberdeen’s Provost. His body was borne sadly home and buried within the Church of St Nicholas in Aberdeen.

KIntore Parish Church

There has been a Parish Church in Kintore since the 12th century.  The present building (on the site of the previous one) dates from 1819 and was built to a design by the famous Aberdeen Architect Archibald Simpson.  The church was refurbished later in 1969. 

Inside the Church gate is an interesting Pictish relic - the Ichthus or Elephant Stone - that was recovered from Castle Hill during the construction of the railway.  The present Manse, built in 1900, was a gift to the church.

In the burial grounds is a mort house. Taking its name from the French "mort", it was where the bodies were kept under the mort cloth, prior to burial. Body-snatching was still prevalent in the 18th century and the mort house kept the corpses relatively secure.

Hallforest Castle

A mile to the south-west stand the ruins of Hallforest Castle.  An oblong keep 48 feet by 30 feet, the walls are around seven foot thick and the castle in its current ruined state stands around 60 feet.

Built in the 13th or 14th Century. It was a hunting castle which took its name from the great forest in which King James IV hunted. The forest, which lay between Kintore and Kemnay, is also recalled in street names such as Forest Road, Tom's Forest.

It is said that it was built by King Robert the Bruce as hunting lodge.  In 1305 Sir Robert Keith (12th Great Marischal), was chosen as one of ten Scots to represent his country at the English parliament, but in 1308 found him fighting with Bruce's army at the Battle of Berra, near Inverurie.

The Keith family helped Robert the Bruce in gaining his throne in the ensuing battles for independence from the English.  He was rewarded by King Robert the Bruce by land at Hallforest, Kintore that included the castle.  And so the Keith's arrived in the Garioch and the castle became the former stronghold of the Keith family.  For more information about the Keith clan, visit the Clan Keith Society website.  Mary Queen of Scots is known to have stayed at Hallforest in 1562.

Bridgealehouse

The Bridgealehouse is located at the junction of Lochburn Drive and Northern Road. It served as the court and council house until the present Town House was built.

Kintore's Burgh Records refer to court proceedings held in Bridgealehose from around 1690 to 1745. Each report is typically annotated "The Court of Kintore, holden in the Chamber at Bridgealehouse, the [date]". In each instance the "Magistrates and Councillors of Kintore" which included the Earl of Kintore, Robert Bruce and the Bailies of Kintore are recorded.

There is, furthermore, a "List of Poleable Persons 1696" which includes the entry "BRIDGE ALEHOUSS - 'Robert Bruce and Issobell Laing, his spouse".  After the present Town House was built, Bridgealehouse became a coaching inn.

Primary School

The local school, built in the late 16th century, was one of the earliest built in the Aberdeenshire area.  Having been a junior secondary, it is now a primary school only now with secondary education now being provided by nearby Kemnay and Inverurie Academies.  Due to the growing increase of population within the town, a new primary school is currently being built.

Town House

The Town House in the centre of Kintore dates from 1747. Work began in 1737 soon after when the Keiths became the Earls of Kintore and the Earl of Kintore was elected Provost.  The cost of the construction was £850 Scots.  The Keith family went on to found Marischal college in Aberdeen.

The Town House stands on the old market stance on which the annual Marymass Fair was held.  It originally contained a tolbooth (jail), a schoolroom, a council room and a house. There is some dubiety about the origins of the clock.  

Some say it was presented to the burgh by the Earl Marischal, others say that "Macphersons Clock" (as it was known in the 19th century) came from Banff.  The town house also had a a Meal store where the Earl would store his rent payments (Meal ) from his tenants in Kintore.

The former council chamber is used for community council and other meetings.  Standing in front of the Town House is the Kintore 2000 millennium stone, which was unveiled on Hogmanay (December 31)2000. The stone was quarried at nearby Tom's Forest quarry.

Kintore Bridge

Originally there was no bridge over the nearby river Don and ferry service near the location of the present bridge.  The ferry was operated by George Marnoch, or better known as "Boatie Marnoch" and was a well known citizen in Kintore. The first bridge was built in 1882 and the present one in 1986.

Aberdeenshire Canal

The Aberdeenshire Canal once ran some 18 miles (29 km) between Aberdeen Harbour and Inverurie. John Rennie (1761 - 1821) designed the canal with 17 locks and it was intended to bring agricultural produce, timber and stone into the city and the port, while taking manure and lime out to the hinterland. Work began in 1796 and the canal was opened in 1805.

It was opened in 1807 and passed through what is now the centre of the town.  It carried goods and passengers on a slow journey through numerous locks but was not considered economically viable and was closed in 1854 when the railway was opened.  The canal was bought by the Great North of Scotland Railway Company in 1845 and abandoned by 1854 to allow the railway line to be built along the route. 

Today little can be seen, though residual evidence of the canal can still be found including many of it's milestones and it is still possible to see the canal bed on Deystone road .  It is perhaps most obvious just to the south east of Hatton of Fintray, where the railway deviates from the circuitous route of the old canal.  Port Elphinstone, built at the basin at the northern termination of the canal, remains as a settlement immediately to the south of Inverurie.

Thainstone House

Sitting resplendent in 44 acres of private garden and lush meadowland, Thainstone House Hotel has been lovingly designed to provide superb levels of hospitality. In the very heart of rural Aberdeenshire. Whilst today Thainstone provides the ultimate in four star hotel luxury, it is impossible to escape its impressive history. In the 18th Century, the Jacobites put Thainstone to torch, however James Wilson of Thainstone escaped the fire and fled to America, where he later put his name to the American Declaration of Independence.

Under new ownership in the 19th Century, the present mansion was redesigned by renowned architect Archibald Simpson, who was responsible for shaping much of the present day city of Aberdeen.  Now considered a great property the Thainstone enjoys elegant furnishings and restful décor with many original features.  (more...)

The information above has been based upon information provided by others and the HFRA assumes no responsibilty for errors, omissions or inaccuracies of information provided above.