Chapter 3A: Strathdon – The Ancestral Home:Strathdon - The Place.

Strathdon (pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable – strath-DON), approximately 45 miles due west of Aberdeen, is a Parish within what, at the time the Glennies and Reids resided there, was the County of Aberdeenshire. Strathdon, once known as “Invernochty”, referring to the place where the Rivers Nochty and Don join, is a comparatively small area, about 25 miles in length and a few miles in breadth.
The map above gives at least a truncated picture of Strathdon and its surroundings. (Double click for a larger image.) As you’ll see, Strathdon is just left of center, with Glenbuchat to the northeast on route A97, which, in just a few more miles takes one to Glenkindie. Alford is further east on A944. The river Don flows through Strathdon, with the village of Bellabeg just on the other side of the Don. It was in Bellabeg that Fred MacGregor (more about him later) lived with his wife, Jessie, in Park House and where we stayed during 2 trips to the area in 1965 and to which Beth, Justina and I stopped for a brief visit with Fred in 1980. Neither Lochrie nor Tollafraick appears on the map, but Rinmore, homestead of another Reid family, is shown north of Glenkindie. Northeast of Glenkindie is Kildrummy, site of an ancient and historic castle mentioned later in the text.

Strictly speaking, Strathdon is more of a gateway to the Highlands than in the Highlands themselves. By most reckonings, the Highlands begin just west of Aberdeenshire, extending upwards into the northwest Scottish mainland. Yet, by history, tradition, and terrain, Strathdon is of the Scottish Highlands. Those living in Strathdon at the time of the Reids and Glennies clearly thought of themselves as Highlanders.

Strathdon has been described in these words:[1]
[1] See web page of the Highland Trading Post < http://www.highlandtradingpost.co.uk/strathdon.html>.

Topographically, Strathdon is of great beauty, a fertile strath leading into the wild and rugged scenery of the Highlands. As the Don winds its way through the main strath there are stretches of fine farmland. Further up the valley the scenery is still beautiful in character but more dramatic. Here, the Strath becomes narrower and much more wooded, mainly with birch and pine which give a fine contrast in spring and autumn when they are tinged with shades of almost every hue. The highest part, nearer the source of the Don, is moorland and mountain giving a bleak and barren appearance. The 'go back' call of the red grouse serves only to heighten the feeling of isolation.

Remote enough, even with modern transportation, to discourage much economic development beyond agriculture and seasonal tourism, Strathdon retains its rural origins to this day and has the look of a place that has not changed much since the Glennies and Reids departed. Lacking the dramatic vistas of northwestern Scotland, its hills, tinged with heather purple and valleys dotted with the occasional cottage and outbuildings – often derelict - paint a scene of melancholy beauty.

Strathdon has its modest share of historical artifacts, the most notable being the ruins of the 13th century Kildrummy Castle, famed for defending (unsuccessfully) the family of Robert the Bruce in the War of Independence. However, it would be incorrect to think of Strathdon as a place rich in historical significance. But Strathdon does have a past, evident in abundance through the artifacts left behind by the Scots who have lived there through the centuries. Traces of their lives and times are found in the ruins of their castles and more humble dwellings, remnants of stone walls, and in ancient kirks with their gravestones marking the passing of generations long at rest.