The church of Cairnie or Botarie, hath for its patron Saint Martin. Here is the pleasant bourn of Cairnie, amid birch and alder.

The church of Drumdelgie (which, having been once burnt, is called also The Burnt-Kirk) is dedicated to Saint Peter.

of Murray, by Bishop Andrew de Moravia, in a synod of his clergy held at Elgin, in the church of Saint Giles the Abbot, on the fifth of May, 1226: " quarta prebenda est ecclesia de Elchy et de Buttharry cum omnibus ad eam juste pertinentibus." Among the clergy who adhibit their consent to the deed of erection is Gillemor vicar of Botarie: "ego Gillemor vicarius de Buchtarry." (Registrum Episcopatus Moraviensis, pp. 73-76.) By the constitutions of Bishop Andrew de Moravia, the prebendary of Botarie was bound to find a deacon to serve as his vicar in the cathedral church (Id., p. 94.); but, according to a later usage, (dating probably from the middle of the fourteenth century,) his vicar might be a subdeacon. (Id., pp. 361, xvII.) The manse of the prebendary of Botarie stood near one of the gates of the chanonry at Elgin: in a general convocation of the canons of the church of Murray, held in the year 1489, it was ordained" quod prope mansum de Botare erigatur porta lapidea cum lapideo muro ad hujusmodi portam necessario." (Id., p. 268.) Lanslot de Moravia was prebendary of Botarie, from the year 1473 to the year 1489. (Id., pp. 256, 257, 264, 265.) In the year 1488, he was amerced in the seventh part of his benefice, for contumacy and non-residence at the cathedral church. (Id., p. 261.) James Strathauchin was prebendary of Botarie, from the year 1539 to his death, in the year 1566; William Strathauchin, from the year 1566 to the year 1567. (Id., pp. XXIII, XXIV.) "Duodecim capellani ecclesiae cathedralis Moraviensis pro se et suis successoribus in et super se acceptant ad celebrandum hebdomadatim tres missas ad altare Sancti Jacobi pro magistro Jacobo Stratawchin rectore de Botare, cum uno anniversario, in modum sequentem, videlicet: unam missam die Dominico, de Dominico seu festo occurrente dicto die, cum collecto pro salute amici; alteram die Martis, de Spiritu Sancto, cum collecto pro salute amici; tertiam die Jovis, de Corpore Christi, cum collecto pro salute amici, quamdiu magister Jacobus vivit, et ipso defuncto, cum collecto pro amico defuncto; cum anniversario annuatim pro quondam magistro Gilberto Stratawchin ejusdem patruo, durante vita dicti magistri Jacobi, die 26 mensis Martii; et ipso magistro Jacobo defuncto, eodem die pro dicto magistro Jacobo: Necnon ad celebrandum aliud anniversarium die 9 mensis Septembris annuatim pro animabus patris, matris, parentum et benefactorum dicti magistri Jacobi: Ad distribuendam quoque annuatim pauperibus summam 20 solidorum, pro anima dicti magistri, 10 solidos in die Commemorationis Animarum, et 10 solidos in die Parasceves. Ex altera parte vero dictus magister Jacobus facit fundationem capellanis praefatae ecclesiae de summa 26 solidorum annuatim, de domo quam nunc tenet Florentius Runsiman, et de novo stabulo lapideo ad finem orientalem mansi de Botarie per ipsum edificato; et dat praefatis capellanis et magistro Hugoni Cragye eorum nomine summam 120 librarum ad emendum terras seu annuos redditus pro dictis suffragiis fiendis et elemosina distribuenda; pro qua summa 120 librarum acquiritur annuus redditus 8 librarum et 3 solidorum praefatis capellanis applicandus. Licitumque erit capellanis praefatis cum velint suas vices praefatorum suffragiorum renunciare, dummodo non participabunt de commodo. Ad quae premissa observanda capellani subscripti se astringunt et obligant pro se et suis successoribus: Hugo Cragye, Tyberius Winchestre, Johannes

The church of Ruthven is now ruined, having fallen anno M.DC.LXXXIX. In this parish there is a chappel at Crommellat.

Gibsone, Alexander Douglas, Willelmus Douglas, Jacobus Serras, Joannes Russaill, Willelmus Skade, Joannes Gibsone nomine domini Joannis Annan, Jacobus Jonstoun, Willelmus Peterkin, Willelmus Hume. Actum in loco capitulari, 4 Maii, 1555." (Id., p. 430.)

The churches of Ruthven and Dippil were erected into a prebend of the cathedral church of the Holy Trinity at Spyny, by Bricius bishop of Murray, between the year 1208 and the year 1214: " octava canonia ecclesia de Rothuan et ecclesia de Duppil cum omnibus earum justis pertinentiis." Among the clergy who adhibit their consent to the erection is Hugh parson of Ruthven: "ego Hugo persona de Rothuan." (Registrum Episcopatus Moraviensis, pp. 40-43.) The erection was confirmed by Pope Innocent III., on the twenty-second of December, 1214. (Id., pp. 43, 44.) The prebendary of Ruthven and Dippil was bound to provide a priest to serve as his vicar in the cathedral church. (Id., pp. 94, 361.) William Mowalt was prebendary of Ruthven and Dippil from the year 1473 to the year 1489. (Id., pp. 256, 257, 259, 265.) William Hepburne was prebendary of Ruthven and Dippil from the year 1554 to the year 1557; Adam Hepburne, from the year 1560 to the year 1567; and Alexander Ogilvy, in the year 1567. (Id., pp. xxIII, XXIV.) "Mr Adam Hepburn, parson of Dipple, granted to John Gordon of Craigullie a tack or lease of the teynds of Ruthven in Strathboggie, of date July 18th, 1574, to which did consent and subscribe George bishop of Murray, Alexander Dunbar dean, James Muirton chantor, Dunbar archdean, John Kneycht parson of Duffus, William Sutherland parson of Moy, Robert Keith parson of Kinore, Alexander Leslie parson of Botarie, William Patterson subdean, and Archibald Henderson parson of Kingusie. The original was in the hands of Mr Milne, late of Speymouth." (Shaw's History of the Province of Moray, pp. 416, 417.)

"Assedatioun be the Bischop of Murray, to Johne Gordoun of Carrinborow and Elizabeth Gordoun his spous, for nynetene yeris, of the teind schaves of the paroche of Drumdalgye, within the diocie of Murray and sheriffdome of Aberdene, for thretty thrie pundis sex schillingis and aucht penneis yerely: witnesses, Androw Moncreiff, David Cumyng, Robert Hepburne, Sir James Sandeson, and Sir John Gibson person of Unthank at Spyne and Elgin, 20 August 1569." (Registrum Episcopatus Moraviensis, p. 400.) "Literae assedationis ab Episcopo Moraviensi cum consensu capituli datae Georgio Barclaye de eodem et Margaretae Ogilvye ejus sponsae, decimarum garbalium parochiarum de Grantuly et Drumdalgye, pro 19 annis, solvendo inde annuatim 290 mercas: testibus domino Waltero Ogilvye de Boynd milite, Jacobo Dunbar de Tarbart, Georgio Ogilvye de Auquhannanye, Andrea Moncreiff juniore, dominis Jacobo Sibbald et Alexandro Robertsone servitoribus Episcopi: apud ecclesiam cathedralem Moraviensem, 24 Octobris 1556." (Id., p. 407.)]

THE PARISH OF ABERCHIRDER (OR SAINT MARNAN'S KIRK.) DESCRIPTION OF THE PARISH OF ABERCHIRDER. (circa A.D. M.DCC.XXVI.)

HE church of Aberchirdir is dedicated to Saint Marnan. This Saint, who flourished about the middle of the seventh century, is reputed to have been a person of extraordinary sanctity, and of an apostolical spirit, travelling indefatigably, and making conversions everywhere. He dyed very old, and was buried at Aberchirdir, where the tradition is that he usually resided. In this parish ther is a stone (called Saint Marnan's,) hollowed out a little in the middle, and lying on a hill, where it is believed this Saint commonly rested. His feast is on the [second] of March, according to King's Calendar, which places him in the year D.C.LV. merarius nearly agrees with King. The collect used for his festival in Aberdene diocese was this: "Deus qui es vita in te credencium famulos tuos tibi suppliciter deprecantes exaudi: ut dum Beati Marnani confessoris tui atque pontificis solennia agimus in tui nominis amore valeamus ferventer accendi: Per Dominum." 2

The Aberchirdirs of That Ilk possessed this parish of old, till Innes of That Ilk married the heiress, and so came to have this Saint for his patron.

Just beneath the church is Saint Marnan's Ford; and on a hill hard by is a stone, called Saint Marnan's Chair. 3

At Chappeltoun, above half a mile beneath, is Saint John's Well, and Saint John's Ford over Dovern.

Mr. David, (son to Mr. John, minister at Dalmaik), second and last Gregory of Kinnairdie, had a son, Dr. David, author of the Astronomy, but born, as we have

1 [From a MS. account of Scotish Bishops in the library at Slaines.]

2 [See as to Saint Marnan, or Marnoc, Collections for a History of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff, pp. 597, 598, note.]

3 [ Aberchirder was the old name of this parish, which is now called Marnoch, the church being dedicated to St. Marnoch." (The Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. iii. p. 94. Edinb. 1792.) "A well near the manse is called the Saint's well, and another, at no great distance, the Lady's well. An annual market on the second Tuesday of March, for horses and cattle, is called Marnoch fair. On the bank of the Deveron is a place called Chapelton, where, no doubt, there had once stood a place of worship." (The New Statistical Account of Scotland, number xxxviii. pp. 382, 384, 386. Edinb. 1842.)

In "Ane Rentall of the Freris Predicatoris of Elgin, in anno 1555," occurs " Item, the baronie of Abircheirdor, x merkis." (Registrum Episcopatus Moraviensis, p. xxII. note.)] 4 ["A little below the bridge of Marnoch, stands the old tower-looking mansion of Kin

reason to believe, in the Upper Kirkgate of Aberdeen, in a house without the Port, which was then Kinnairdie's, but is now William Walker, dyers.'

The Donaldson's do now possess Kinnairdie, descended of an Elgin merchant, in the last age, as the Gordons do Ardmelie here, and the Duffs, Crombie 2 here.

Carta Regis Willelmi de ecclesia de Abirkerdor.3 (A.d. 1203—a.d. 1214.) Willelmus Dei gracia Rex Scottorum. Omnibus probis hominibus tocius terre sue clericis et laicis salutem. Sciant presentes et futuri quod cum contrauersia inter me et B episcopum Morauiensem et G. comitem de Marr esset de jure patronatus ecclesie de Abirkerdor ita amicabiliter conuenit inter nos quod quilibet nostrum totum jus quod in eadem ecclesia habuit dedit Deo et Sancto Thome Martiri et monachis de Abirbrocht in perpetuam elemosinam. Unde sciant presentes et futuri me dedisse et concessisse et hac carta nostra confirmasse Deo et Sancto Thome et monachis de Abirbrocht quicquid juris in predicta habui ecclesia cum omnibus ad

ardy, on a promontory at the junction of the burn of the same name with the Doveron. Its situation is peculiarly picturesque and commanding. The house is ancient; has been built at various periods; and was, together with much of the property of the parish, held by the Crichtons of Frendraught, whose chief residence of Frendraught was in the neighbouring parish of Forgue." (The New Statistical Account of Scotland, number xxxviii. p. 383.) In the charter room of the Duke of Roxburghe, at Floors Castle, there is a deed of resignation, dated at Edinburgh, in the year 1510, by Robert Colvill of Hilton, into the King's hands, in favour of Walter Innes of Touchis, of the dominical lands of Kynnardy, with their pertinents, called le Langhelche, Forrestaresete, and Stokyfelde, and the fortythree shilling land of Myreside, lying in the barony of Aberkerdor, in the shire of Banff.]

[See Collections for a History of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff, p. 55, note; and the authorities there cited.]

2

["On the west side of the parish stands the old castle of Crombie, now the property of the Earl of Seafield. It has the appearance of having been a place of some strength. It now consists of three stories." (The New Statistical Account of Scotland, number xxxviii. p. 384.)

"Near the centre of the parish stands the mansion-house of Auchintoul, once the residence and property of general Alexander Gordon, who entered the service of Russia as a cadet, under Peter the Great, and rose to high power and command in his army. He wrote in two volumes the history of his great master and friend. He died aged eighty-two years, and was buried in the churchyard here, but no memorial marks the spot." (The New Statistical Account of Scotland, number xxxviii. p. 385; The Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. iii. p. 96.)]

3 [From the Registrum Vetus Cenobii de Aberbrothoc, MSS. Bibl. Adv.]

eam juste pertinentibus

Tenendum in liberam et perpetuam elemosinam

ita libere et quiete et honorifice sicut aliquam ecclesiam liberius et quiecius habent Testibus Waltero capellano meo

Hugone Fretheskyn . Willelmo de Bosco et Hugone clericis meis Henrico Revel. Henrico de Kynros . Waltero de Wictirlys Michaele de Ferendrach. Apud Kintor⚫ xviij die Septembris ·

Carta Bricij episcopi Morauiensis de ecclesia de Aberkerdour (A.D. 1203 -A.D. 1214.)

B. Dei gracia Episcopus Morauiensis uniuersis sancte matris ecclesie filiis et fidelibus salutem in Domino. Nouerit vniuersitas vestra quod cum controuersia esset inter dominum Regem Willelmum. et nos et G comitem de Marr de jure patronatus ecclesie de Aberkerdour ita amicabiliter conuenit inter nos scilicet quod quilibet nostrum totum jus quod se habere credebat in eadem ecclesia concessit Deo et Sancto Thome Martiri et monachis de Aberbrocht in liberam et perpetuam elemosinam . Sciant itaque presentes et futuri nos dedisse et concessisse et hac carta nostra confirmasse. Deo et Sancto Thome Martiri et monachis de Aberbrocht predictam ecclesiam de Aberkerdour cum omnibus ad illam juste pertinentibus eosdemque monachos in illam ecclesiam auctoritate Episcopali canonice instituisse Quare uolumus ut predicti monachi de Aberbrocht prefatam ecclesiam de Aberkerdour cum omnibus ad illam juste pertinentibus habeant et teneant in liberam et perpetuam elemosinam ita libere et quiete · plenarie et honorifice sicut aliquam ecclesiam liberius quiecius plenius et honorificencius tenent Salvis Episcopalibus Salvis Episcopalibus. Concessimus eciam predictis monachis ut liceat eisdem fructus ejusdem ecclesie de Aberkerdour in proprios vsus conuertere. Hiis testibus Willelmo et Waltero capellanis Domini Regis Lamberto capellano nostro Hugone et Michaele clericis nostris

Willelmo de Boscho et Hugone clericis Domini Regis Alexandro fratre nostro Archibaldo senescallo nostro ⚫

Carta comitis G de Marr de ecclesia de Abirkerdour 1

Gillecryst comes de Marr · Omnibus amicis et probis hominibus suis salutein Sciant presentes et futuri quod cum controuersia esset inter Dominum

[From the Registrum Vetus Cenobii de Aberbrothoc, MSS. Bibl. Adv.]