Cultural Icons of Medieval Scotland

The University of Aberdeen and the Project have joined together to host a conference which will highlight the cultural achievements of the North and the objects which help us to define the identity and early history of Scotland.

The conference kicks off on the evening of Wednesday 22nd July 2009 at 6.00 p.m. at King's College (KCG8) and continues on the Thursday at James McKay Hall.  Full details below:

Wednesday 22nd July, 6pm,

Public Lecture

Cultural Icons

of

Medieval Scotland

King's College (KCG8)

Professor David Dumville ( Aberdeen )

“The Book of Deer ”

‘… a Monument of North-Eastern book production'

Thursday 23 rd July 2009

James McKay Hall

CONFERENCE

8.45-9.15 am Registration

Session 1 Chair - Alan Cameron

(Chair of the Book of Deer Project)

9.15 Alex Woolf (St Andrews) Introduction

9.30 Heather Pulliam (Edinburgh) The Book of Deer and Pictish Art

10.00 Dauvit Broun (Glasgow) Gaelic Notes in the Book of Deer

10.45 Tea/Coffee

Session 2 Chair - Colm O'Boyle (Aberdeen)

11.10 Ewan Campbell (Glasgow)

The Stone of Destiny

11.40 Jane Geddes (Aberdeen)

The Pictish Stones of St Vigeans

12.10 Raghnall Ó Floinn

(National Museum of Ireland)

The Monymusk Reliquary

13.00 Lunch break

Session 3 Chair – Sally Foster (Historic Scotland)

14.15 Susan Youngs (Oxford)

St Ninian's Isle Hoard

14.45 Gareth Williams

(British Museum)

Skaill silver hoard, Orkney

15.30 Tea/Coffee

Session 4 Chair - Alastair Macdonald (Aberdeen)

16.00 Ted Cowan (Glasgow)

The Declaration of Arbroath

16.30 Peter Davidson (Aberdeen)

The Aberdeen Breviary

17.15 Louise Yeoman (BBC) Closing remarks

17.30 End of Conference

Annual General Meetings

The Joint AGMs

Held this year in the Kemp Hall, Old Deer ,on the 6th June it proved to be an interesting afternoon during which several suggestions were put forward by members of the public, and which the new committees will certainly follow up. Folks will hear of the progress in via this website or the Newsletters.

The new management structure which emerged is
Patron Jack Webster Hon President George Smart
Directors: Sandy Ritchie, George Smart, Denis McHugh, Cecilia Penny, Alan Cameron, Andrew Kellock.
Project Committee: Alan Cameron (Chairman), Denis McHugh (Vice Chairman) Peter Elrick (Secretary), Maureen Stephen (Treasurer), Andrew Kellock (Project Manager): Joyce Brown, Derek Jennings, Cllr. Albert Howie, Betty Campbell, Sandy Ritchie, Sandy Cowie, Bill Johnston, Sheila Johnston and Cecilia Penny.
Friends: Andrew Kellock (Convener), Bill Johnston (Vice Convener), Maureen Stephen (Treasurer), Cecilia Penny (Membership Secretary), Peter Elrick (Minute Secretary), Betty Campbell ( Social hostess): Elizabeth Pirie, Sandy Cowie,Bill Johnston, Sheila Johnston and Joyce Brown.

After the business was done and dusted, Bill Johnston gave a talk “Bygone days and bygone ways” which was done in a proactive way as most attending could remember the days when the horse reigned on the farm. Well done and thanks, Bill.

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Friends of the Book of Deer Seminars 2008/09

 This season kicked off a bit later than usual when Alex R Buchan gave us an insight into his researches leading up to the publication of his latest book - "Pitfour - the Blenheim of the North".  There was a large animated audience who took part in a lively question and answer session at the end of Alex's talk.  Alex pictured here with one of the excellent slides from his presentation.

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Friends of the Book of Deer Seminars 2007/08

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Our first seminar of the 2007/8 seaon, "Rattray and Strathbeg   - a  History", given by Derek Jennings, Chairman of the Buchan Tourism Group,was well attended by an appreciative audience.he made good use of his extensive knowledge of the area and surprised even those from the area with his findings. For example the wreckage of Royal Navy Beaufort torpedo bombers which can still be seen in the loch after over-shooting the landing strips at Crimond.

  Derek takes a moment to think through a searching question!

Our second, given by Dr. Jane Geddes, Senior Lecturer in History at Aberdeen University entitled "New Discoveries at St. Vigeans and the Pictish Stones Collection." Dr. Jane gave a fresh interpretation on this site and its connection to the Coptic Church in Egypt. This proved both interesting and intriguing and really captured the imagination of the audience.

After the business at the A.G.M. of the Book of Deer Project on the 31st May, Fred Crawford of Ellon gave a talk "The Harrying of Buchan".Fred has made a study of this little known episode in our history and he gave a comprehensive account of the families involved and the events leading up to the harrying. In short, it was Robert the Bruce's revenge on the Comyn family who had supported John Balliol's ( Toom Tabard) claim to the Scottish crown.This year marks its 700th anniversary.

The fourth and last talk of our season "DOWSING THE STONE CIRCLES" was given by the Revd. Angus Haddow formerly Minister of Methlick Parish Church and a teacher of Science.

He gave an account of his experiences and findings, particularly in Aberdeenshire. There may be many doubters of the value of "dowsing", but Angus gave a robust defence of the practice, using his knowledge of Science and the results of his findings. These findings resonated with many in the audience who had taken an interest in Stone circles.

There were several "Dowsers" attending, and they, along with Angus gave us practical demonstrations of their skills.

WORK WITH SCHOOLS.

The Friends of the Book of Deer and Derek Jennings,Vice-Chair of the Peterhead and Buchan Tourism Initiative (Land of the Big Sky) invited children and their parents to the finale of their colouring in competition in Aden Park Theatre last Saturday. There were many entries of a very high standard, all the more creditable as the work was carried out from pages containing intricate Celtic designs and doodles inserted by the monks in the 10 th Century. After light refreshments, those children adjudged worthy received a small prize and a Commendation.

Derek Jennings then gave a DVD presentation “A Brief Tour of Buchan”, cleverly arranged as a question and answer session on the landmarks , flora and fauna of Buchan. This had a great reception from parents and children alike as they expressed delight at what they recognised and surprise and wonder at what came as a surprise to them.

The afternoon was rounded off by a hearty expression of thanks to the schools, schoolchildren, parents and Derek for taking part.

Heather Holligan, one of the many excellent entrants, displays her work.

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Annual Pilgrimage 2009

The picture on the right is of the St Ethernam's Chapel - the starting point of 2009 Pilgrimage located behind Rathen West Church.  The walk will pass Cortes, the former Lonmay Station, Kilbirnie, Cockmuir, Fetterangus, Pitfour Stables and Lake and finish at Aden Park.  There will be appropriate toilet breaks and lunch will be at Drinnie's Wood.  Pilgrims are welcome to join the walk at any point.

To book a place please contact 01771 613666.

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Annual Pilgrimage 2008

The Pilgimage took place on the 21st of June, 2008. The Pilgrims met at Slains Church and were invited in by the Revd. Steve Emery who gave them a short history of the beautiful Church before sending them on their way with a blessing.

This stained glass window just one of the features.

Some thirty Pilgrims enjoyed the walk, culminating in hospitality and socialising in Aden Park, as can be seen in the photograph below.

Our Annual Pilgrimage takes place in June. These Pilgrimages serve two main purposes. The first is to aquaint the Pilgrims with local history and heritage; and the second is so that Pilgrims can reflect on on the life and times of the Monks of Deer. Pilgrims will walk the distances, and over the terrain that the Monks did in ancient times as the set out to convert the Picts to the Christian religion and to minister to the sick. They, however, did not have the benefits of tarred roads and high tech walking gear of today.

Past Pilgrimages:

• 2000 St. Drostan Aberdour to Aden Park
• 2001 Cancelled because of Foot and Mouth
• 2002 St. Machar Old Aberdeen to Aden Park
• 2003 St. Kane New deer to Aden Park
• 2004 St. Fergus St. Fergus to Aden Park
• 2005 St. Murdebar Tarves to Adren Park
• 2006 St. Olaf Cruden to Aden Park
• 2007 St. Mary New Pitsligo to Aden Park
• 2008 Slains Church to Aden Park

There are Pilgrimages planned up to the year 2010 and details will be published in good time for pilgrims to book up.

Visitor Centre

The Centre, situated in the heart of Aden Park was opened with due ceremony in the summer of 2002. 2003 was the first full season. Manned entirely by volunteers at weekends and some weekdays over the Summer, there were about 700 names entered in the visitors book. For most, this was their introduction to the Book of Deer, but there was a sprinkling of more knowledgeable "students".

The opening times for this year 2008 are:

Opening Times 1 30 to 4 pm

Special visits can be arranged by phoning 01771 624459

Friends of the Book of Deer Project

The "Friends" was set up to reach out to people who have an interest in the Book and may have a particular expertise which will help in putting it before a wider audience, or just manning the Visitors Centre once or twice during the summer.

The "Friends" have organised 16 seminars over a five year period. Each one dealt with a particular aspect of the Book of Deer. The Seminars are held in the University Chaplaincy in Old Aberdeen at around 5pm on a Thursday in November and February.

We are now 74 in number, but would welcome anyone, anywhere, who has an interest in the Book of Deer, even if they feel they have no great skill or knowledge to contribute. It is a great way to keep in touch with our heritage here in the North East of Scotland.

If you would like to become a friend of the Book of Deer Project, please send your details with a £5 cheque made out to "The Friends of the Book of Deer" to one the contacts below or make the first step by e-mailing bookofdeer@yahoo.co.uk.

Contact details:

Membership Secretary
Cecilia Penny
Quartalehouse Mill 
Stuartfield AB42 4ND
AB42 5DE
cecilia.penny@virgin.net

Aberdeenshire Area Office
Nethermuir Road
Maud

LOCUS OF THE EARLY MEDIEVAL MONASTERY

Geophysical Study

of the Vicinity around Old Deer Parish Church

Some time ago, after discussion and field study with members of an advisory committee from Aberdeen University, the Book of Deer Project resolved to campaign for a Geophysical study to be carried out. Through this means we hoped to find evidence of the former Monastery of Deer where the Book of Deer originated.

Through the goodwill of the Elphinstone Institute at Aberdeen University a conference – ‘After Columba, After Calvin: Community and Identity in the Religious Traditions of North East Scotland' was held in September 1997. (unfortunately cut short due to the funeral of Princess Diana.) Since then the Project has opened an Information Centre at Aden Country Park. This has attracted many visitors with an interest in the Book itself and the many topics relating to Buchan. The experience of dealing with visitors has shown the most frequent questions to be asked as being:-

1. Where is the Book of Deer now?

2. Where is the Monastery of Deer?

3. Was Gaelic spoken in the North East?

4. What is the significance of the place names mentioned in the Book of Deer?

5. Why is the Book of Deer not kept here?

It is in response to the second question that the Project wrote to the ‘Time Team' (Channel four?) inviting them to Deer in Aberdeenshire to explore the area around the parish church where the Monastery is said to have been built ‘in a loop of the river Ugie.' They acknowledged receipt of our letter but have not taken up our invitation.

Since then we have tried various sources for funding a study, through our own charitable status, with no success so far! Meanwhile we have collected some local stories about the changes which have occurred in the vicinity. For example:-

‘The Rabbling of Deer' – A well documented story about the parishioners rioting when the Laird appointed a new Minister against their wishes. The description of the area gives an insight into the narrow lanes and small houses around the church. (Pratt's Buchan P84 – May 1711)

At the time of building new gate pillars at the front of the church, it was found that burials had taken place outwith the churchyard wall. This raises the question of how far onto the road does the original burial ground extend?

When sheltered housing was built directly across from the church in the post ww 2 period, subsequent landscaping of the area may account for the disappearance of ‘the Minister's Mound' This mound was where the Minister stood, in all weathers, after the service, to bless his parishioners as they left the church.

More housing is planned for part of the church glebe between the river and the playing field. It is urgent that this area be properly studied before the excavators move in! Planning and Archaeology departments please note!

Across the Ugie at ‘Mavisbank', a private property owned at one time by Dr Dickson there was a small hamlet and Episcopalian chapel between the existing house and the river. Except for one of the houses which was re-roofed, all are now in ruins, with only the outline of the foundations remaining (1997)

About 200yds along the road towards Stuartfield, on the right is St Drostans well, (part rebuilt in the year 2000) in an area which may hold clues to the habitation if, as the name suggests it was the well used around 700AD.

Within the Aden Country Park, the banks of the river may still have remains of posts or piles used to support primitive dwellings. Timber needs air and moisture to allow wet rot. Have any posts survived the centuries? Only by finding them and subjecting them to carbon dating can we be sure!

When the Russells of Aden decided to build the Mansion House (now preserved ruins within the Country Park) a large area on the bank of the river was heightened and landscaped as their front garden. This is another area where clues may be hidden, due to later developments.

Some 300years after the demise of the Monastery, the Abbey of Deer was built. Assuming that religious artefacts may have been moved to the ‘new' centre of religion, it follows that a thorough study would include the Abbey grounds.

The Spalding Club and the Buchan Field Club will both have records of their research regarding the Book of Deer.

No doubt other areas may be suggested for inclusion in a study. If any reader has a comment or suggestion to make please get in touch at www.bookofdeer.co.uk

George C. Smart

Chairman, Book of Deer Project

A likely site, within the loop of the river is marked with a P. The A indicates the location of a pre reformation church or chapel, now a burial ground.

It has long been believed that the monastery was sited within the bend in the River Ugie, just at the back of the present Old Deer Parish church under the remains of a pre- Reformation Church.

The Book of Deer Project have commisioned Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD) to conduct a desk based assessment of this possible site.

The assessment has found an array of evidence which gives us the confidence to go ahead with a programme of trial trenching. This work should start in March 2009.