Past becomes present for history group
BANFF Preservation and Heritage Society got to see what lies behind the Greek-style portico at the entrance to Deer Abbey near Mintlaw for its summer outing.
Members passed through the portico and discovered the history of the north-eastern treasure.
The secrets of the Abbey, not all solved yet, were explained by the society's historian – Alistair Mason – who gave a wonderful description of the story of Deer Abbey and the Book of Deer.
Before visiting Deer Abbey the society enjoyed a visit to Fraserburgh Heritage Centre.
Secretary Mhairi McKean said: "We were treated to a guided tour of the centre and enjoyed the stories told by the volunteer guides.
"It was interesting to find out about the influences of the Dutch in the Scottish fishing industry, including words which are now part of the Scottish fishing vocabulary, for example farlans – the troughs used to store the fish while the gutting quines worked.
"Fraserburgh Heritage Centre has a huge range of material ranging over a wide period of the town's history.
"It has also information on some of Fraserburgh's famous people including Bill Gibb, the fashion designer, and Thomas Blake Glover, born in Fraserburgh in 1838, who was a major force in the development of the Mitsubishi Corporation.
"Fraserburgh has a proud history of daring individuals – for example John Ross – Charles Rawden Maclean – who at 10 years old sailed to Africa and after being shipwrecked became friends with, Shaka, the King of the Zulus.
"After many adventures he became a sea captain and an outspoken campaigner against slavery.
"The visit was packed and the centre has so much to see that another visit would be needed to explore it all thoroughly."
The society is now looking forward to its winter programme of events which includes the reopening of Banff Museum later this month.
The group is also looking forward to the Founder's Lecture on Thursday, October 11 which this year is to be given by Alistair Heather of the Elphinstone Institute on the links between the Jacobites and written Doric in north-east Scotland.
In November it will be staging a World War I exhibition in the museum to commemorate 100 years since the end of the conflict.
Anyone interested in joining the society or who has information to share for its World War I exhibition can contact the group via its Facebook page, by emailing bphsmob@gmail.com or through the office upstairs in Banff Castle, open on Monday and Wednesday mornings.
