CorgarffSnippets

The following appeared in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, April 18th 1835 at p3 column 4.

At a time when the want of Church accommodation is so much and so justly complained of, it gives us pleasure to learn that Sir Charles Forbes, Bart., of Newe and Edinglassie has resolved to erect, at his own expense, on the upper part of his Strathdon and Corgarff estates, a new Church and dwelling house for one of the General Assembly's Missionaries. Such liberal conduct deserves the warmest approbation of all friends of the Established Church, and adds another to the many instances of Sir Charles sincere regard for the welfare of his native country.

2. Hunger in the Glen 1838

The growing season in Corgarff is short and farmland poorer than the lowland areas of Aberdeenshire. Periods when crops failed brought much hardship to the inhabitants. It is just one such period of hunger that is brought to mind in a letter published in the Aberdeen Journal of Wednesday, 21st of November 1838, at page 3 column 4.

The following letter from the Minister of Corgarff, has just been received by Provost Milne. The statements which it contains are so distressing a nature, that we should only weaken their force by any comment of ours the situation of these poor people cannot be overlooked; and we trust that means will be adopted f or giving them early and effective aid.

My Lord Provost, - the importance of the subject will, I trust, plead my apology for the liberty I have taken in troubling you with the following communication.

I have addressed your Lordship, because you are acquainted with this part of the country, and because of the well-known benevolence of your heart will naturally lead you to feel for the destitute condition of the inhabitants.

I have addressed your Lordship, also, because, If I mistake not, you were a member of the Aberdeen Destitution Committee for managing the collections, made in 1831, for relieving the distress which then prevailed in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and because I believe you will be qualified to inform me of the best method employed for obtaining a portion of the balance of these Collections, to assist in meeting the urgent necessities of the people in this quarter, arising from the failure of this year's crops.

This is the third year in succession Corgarff has been visited by a scarcity of food.

In 1836, so great was the deficiency of the crop, that, had it not been for the very liberal aid afforded by the Landed Proprietors of the district, and the assistance granted by the Destitution Committee at Aberdeen, many poor families here must have been in peril of starvation.

In 1837, the Bear [a type of Barley] and Potatoes suffered early frost, and the Oats being unusually late, and not nearly filled, yielded little more than half an average return.

And this years crop is so fearfully damaged, that all that it can produce will not be sufficient to support the inhabitants more than two months; so that, if public benevolence does not come forward and relieve them, God only knows what will be the consequence.

It is, indeed, truly, distressing to think of their condition and prospects. Their crop, on which they depend, lost; their means in consequence of former difficulties, gone; and credit, in their circumstances, not to be expected; they have neither food for the present season, nor seed for that which is to come.

I am well aware that it may be said, let the Heritors assist them. In answer to this, if I had the liberty, I am possessed of the means clearly to show that the Heritors in this quarter have already made sacrifice so great, that to expect more from them, would be wholly unreasonable.

Should it be suspected that there is any inaccuracy in the preceding statements, or any wish to exaggerate the destitution of this district, let those who take an interest in the case send some one in whom they can confide to make enquiry on the spot; and sure am I, that the strictest scrutiny will only serve to confirm the facts.

If your Lordship should think that the publication of this letter, or any part of it in the Aberdeen Newspapers, would have a tendency to promote the object in view, it is at your disposal.

Have the goodness, as soon as suits your convenience, to favour me with your opinion and advice.

One can but hope that aid did reach the people of Corgarff as a result of the above letter; and in the case of some of us reading this - perhaps the reason why were are here today. I need only look at the census for 1841 on the website to see how many of my family were still living at Corryhoul during this period.

3. The Lass o' the Lecht 1860

4. The Opening of Corgarff Hall 1892

The building of Corgarff Hall was made possible by the kind donation made to his homeland by Alexander M^cHardy of Easter Corryhoul who had made good in New Zealand. Alexander was the son of John M^cHardy and his wife Sophia Dunbar. His father John had been born in Ruthven Parish in Forfarshire. Alexander's grandparents Peter M^cHardy and Elspet Michie having married in the Parish of Glenmuick. Read all about Alexander and see his photograph in the section of this website called "Photographs - other family members". Link to it from here.

Corgarff Village Hall

Corgarff Hall

The corrugated iron clad hall in Corgarff, built in 1892 with money gifted to his native district by Alexander. The following is taken from an unsourced newspaper clipping in the hall records and was kindly forwarded by their keeper Lilian Field.

OPENING OF NEW HALL AT CORGARFF

The new hall in Corgarff was opened by Lady Forbes of Inverernan the other night, and the proceedings were of a very interesting nature. On Lady Forbes's arrival, accompanied by Misses Forbes, a bonfire was lighted, and Mr J. Simpson played the Forbes March on the bagpipes. When her ladyship drove up to the door Mr James M^cHardy of Burnside, amid great cheering, presented a key and asked her ladyship, in the name of the Corgarff people, to declare the hall open. Lady Forbes having gracefully performed this ceremony in a few suitable words, was conducted up the hall Mr M^cHardy, a band playing meanwhile the "Pibroch of Donald Dhu". A Highland reel, made up of the following eight, was then danced - Lady Forbes, Misses Forbes (2), and Mrs C. F. Wattie, Mr J. M^cHardy, Mr J. F. Philip, Mr A. M^cHardy (member of committee), and Mr C. F. Wattie, banker. Dancing after this became general, her ladyship and the misses Forbes taking part in a number of dances.

Lady Forbes, afterwards addressing Mr J. F. Philip, on behalf of the committee, said she wished to express her pleasure at being asked there that evening for the purpose of opening the hall. Her ladyship made apology for Sir John not being able to be present, and expressed her sorrow at not meeting the Rev. C. F. M^cHardy, who she said, had laboured so many years with so much vigilance amongst the Corgarff people. (The Rev. Mr. M^cHardy, it should be explained, has been laid up for a few weeks suffering from severe rheumatism.) Her ladyship also expressed her pleasure at seeing such a nice building, and hoped the hall might be a benefit and pleasure to the Corgarff people for a long time to come (Cheers).

Mr Philip, in reply, thanked Lady Forbes for the honour she had done them in coming there that evening to open the hall. He continued - We had serious scruples in asking you to come out so far on a winter evening, but judging from the kindly interest you take in the people of Corgarff, we took the liberty of asking you to favour us with your presence on this occasion, and to this request you most kindly consented. This is not the first occasion on which the people of Corgarff have been deeply indebted to your ladyship and other members of your family. Your many deeds of kindness and charity are well known in the district, and have secured to Sir John and your ladyship the affection and gratitude of the inhabitants of Corgarff. In a word then, ladys and gentlemen, I am sure you will join me in giving three cheers for Lady Forbes.

Mr A. Davidson, carpenter, was then called to the platform, and delivered some original verses in celebration of the event of the evening, the reading of the lines being received with cheers.

Mr J. F. Philip proposed a vote of thanks to the subscribers, and in doing so said they had already got £101 18s 6d. This was mainly due, as most of them were aware, to their kind and generous friend, Mr M^cHardy, New Zealand, who headed the list with a handsome donation of £50. They had also received donations from all the shooting lessees in the district. The principal subscribers were :- General Sir John Forbes, Messrs E. Reiss, Edinglassie; A. F. Wallace , Candacraig; L. A. Wallace, Delnadamph; J. J. Mowbray, Allargue; and J. F. Michie, Toronto, all of whom have given £5 each; Messrs Wattie, Bellabeg, C. F. M^cHardy, Corgarff; the Rev. Mr Meany, Glengairn; Mr Charles Forbes, and Dr Howie, whose subscriptions were £1; Messrs James Milne, D. L. Grant, and Robert Abernethy, 10s 6d each; Messrs Hugh Brown and C.M. Grant, 10 s each. They had also received subscriptions from a number of gentlemen outside their district, some of whom were:- Messrs Rattray, Glenlivet; A. Anderson, G. Smith, A. Troup, and W. Glashan, Ballater; D Campbell, Edinglassie; James Wattie, Glenconrie; John Coutts, Tomnary; James McKenzie, Dinnet; James Forbes, Glenbuchat; James Dey, Strathdon; Mr Gibb, Aberdeen; Mr Douglas, Ballater; and Mr Stewart, Park. Subscriptions had likewise been received from almost every house in Corgarff, and in some cases two, three, and four from one house. There were some who thought there was no use of a hall in the place, who have not given anything, but he hoped that if any of those persons were there that night they might enjoy themselves so much that they would think better of it, and hand over a subscription. He added that the hall had cost, including iron, wood, mason and carpenter work, lamps, beside some extras - in all, about £125. In the name of the committee, he thanked all the subscribers.

Mr Wattie, banker, with whose name the toast was coupled, replied in a pithy, humorous speech, and expressed pleasure at seeing such a splendid building and commended the committee for the energetic way in which they had got on with their work. Although there was still some debt, he thought it might be possible to get it cleared off, and he was willing to do a little more himself (Cheers).

Ladt Forbes then left amid great cheering, the piper again playing the Forbes March.

Dancing was continued until about 11 o'clock, when tea (prepared by Mrs M^cHardy, Burnside, and Miss Symon, Corryhoul) was served out by the committee. During the interval a number of songs and recitations were given by Mr C. F. Wattie, banker, Mr John Simpson, Corgarff; Mr Smith, gardener, Castle Newe; and Mr James Grassick, Roughpark. After this dancing was resumed. Music was supplied by Mr John Knowles', jun., Ballater string band. Messrs W. Philip and J. Simpson discharged the duties of M.C.'s, in a pleasing manner. There were over 200 ladies and gentlemen prsent, some of whom were Lady Forbes, and Misses Forbes (2), Mr and Mrs C. F. Wattie, Bellabeg, Dr Howie, Mr and Miss Forbes, Glenbuchat; Mr and Mrs Coutts Culquhonny; Mr Dow, Forbestown; Miss Dey, ditto; Miss Symon, Post Office; Mr Mark, accountant; Miss Gordon, Invernettie; Misses Spence, Misses Grassick, Mr P. M^cGregor, Mr Reid, flesher; Mr and Mrs D. Grassick, Mr James Milne, Torrandhu; Messrs Gillanders, Glengairn; Mr M^cDonald, do.; Miss M^cHardy, do.; Mr and Miss Stewart, Parks Coldstone; &c., &c. Praise is certainly due to the committee for the excellent manner in which everything was conducted.

With thanks to Lilian Field, and Derek and Adrienne Moller (nee M^cHardy) in New Zealand

5. Body Found on Lecht 1937

This small stone sits near the bottom of Corgarff Cemetery and marks the last resting place of a man found dead on the Lecht when the snows from the winter storm of 1937 began receding. My father had pointed out the stone to me as a child. Dad would have been 10 at the time the man's body was found, and remembers hearing about it at the time. The Lecht is still notorious for being blocked during winter storms. Less so these days since the ski centre was built there; it requires road access to function and now clearing the snow is prioritised as such. However in the 1930's less effort was made to open the road to traffic in winter. It was not unusual for it to remain blocked for many months on end. In my father's time a sign was erected in November near the Tornahaish Toll stating "SNOW - ROAD BLOCKED". The sign was not removed until May when a lorry load of council workmen, aided by a Bamford steam powered snow plough from Alford, would physically dig it clear. The steam plough was driven by Bertie Taylor from Montgarrie. It was during one such clearing operation that the man's body was found. He was never identified. The stone was carved and erected by Joseph Coutts who farmed at Wester Corryhoul, and also doubled as the Corgarff gravedigger. It sits next to the one erected for Margaret Cruickshank who also perished in a winter storm and was immortalised in the poem The Lass o' the Lecht. The following appeared in the Press & Journal newspaper at page 7 on 4th May 1937. In going through the newspaper looking for information it was evident that there had been a fierce winter storm that year.

"Storm Tragedy on Lecht - Body of Man found in Snowdrift

A tragedy of the terrific snowstorm which the North of Scotland experienced towards the end of January and in the beginning of February was discovered yesterday afternoon in the Strathdon district.
The body of a man, aged between fifty and sixty years, was found by workmen who were engaged cutting through the snowdrifts road between Allargue Hotel and Tomintoul.
The road had been impassable for weeks, and it is only within the past few days that men have been engaged clearing it.
They came across the body about twenty yards off the road. It was in an advanced state of decomposition, and it was evident that it had been lying there for several weeks.
The belief is that the man, of the tramp class, had fallen asleep on the roadside during a lull in the storm and had been buried by the drifting snow.
The police had the body removed to Corgarff. A description of the man was issued by the police last night. He was a man of about 5 ft 9 in in height. He was wearing a heavy greyish coloured tweed jacket, two pairs of trousers (one pair dark blue and the other dark grey), grey woollen semmit, and brown waitcoat. His hair was dark, and he aslo had a beard.
No one has been reported as missing from the Strathdon and Corgarff areas, and the police will welcome any information which may lead to the identity of the man.

And this was followed up in the Press and Journal newspaper on May 8th at p8 ;

1. New Church and Dwelling House to be erected 1835

2. Hunger in the Glen 1838

3. The Lass o' the Lecht 1860

4. The Opening of Corgarff Hall 1892

5. Body Found on Lecht 1937