Aberlour
Encyclopedia
Aberlour is the name of a place in Moray
, Scotland
, 12 miles south of Elgin
on the road to Grantown. A burn (stream)
, a tributary of the River Spey
, and surrounding parish
, are both named Aberlour, but the name is most commonly used in reference to the village which straddles the stream and flanks the Spey – although the full name of the village is Charlestown of Aberlour.
`s Atlas of Scotland, from 1654. The current village, Charlestown of Aberlour, was "founded by Mr. Charles Grant of Elchies in 1812 - with the name of Charlestown of Aberlour after his son Charles." It is commonly referred to simply as Aberlour. The three locations are close enough in definition, for there to be little distinction between them.
According to the 1846 A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland, "This parish, formerly called Skirdustan, signifying, in the Gaelic tongue, 'the division of Dustan,' its tutelary saint, derived its present name from its situation at the mouth of a noisy burn, which discharges itself into the river Spey."
Aberlour once was the site of an orphanage
which was founded by a minister called Charles Jupp. It is said by many who were brought up in the orphanage, that Canon Jupp 'walked' the buildings on 30 November. His tomb
lies in St Margaret's Episcopal Church
which was the church used by the children of the orphanage. The orphanage was split into two separate units - one for the girls and the other for the boys. Between the two buildings was the school where the children were taught. Aberlour Child Care Trust is now one of Scotland's main children's charities with services throughout Scotland.
Aberlour also is the place where the famous Walkers
. shortbread
is made. This shortbread is known around the world, and many a New Year's Eve
celebration
is brought in with the brand Walkers. Walkers own the woods behind the factory - Fisherton woods.
Until 2004, Aberlour was the site of the prep school
for Gordonstoun
. Aberlour House educated pupils from age 7 to 13. The links between Aberlour House and Gordonstoun were very close. They shared the same school song and school flag (purple and white). Furthermore, they shared the same school motto - "plus est en vous", a contraction of "plus est en vous que vous pensez" meaning, "there is more in you than you think". They were both founded by the German educationalist Dr. Kurt Hahn
. His bust was prominently displayed in Aberlour House's front hall for many years. The prep school was founded at Wester Elchies in 1936 - three years after Gordonstoun. Wester Elchies expanded such that in 1947 a modest stately home - Aberlour House - was bought. Aberlour House had been occupied by the Army during the Second World War and is three miles from Wester Elchies. The younger boys attended Wester Elchies until the age of about 10. Then they proceeded on to Aberlour House. They moved on to Gordonstoun at the age of 13. Wester Elchies got dry rot and had to be pulled down in the early 1960s. A dormitory at Aberlour House was named Wester Elchies in memory of the old school building. Other dormitories took their names from local castles such as Cawdor, Spynie, Darnaway, Gaudwell, Balvenie, Duffus, Lochindorb, Auchindoun, Towie Barclay, Kilvarock, Findlater, Brodie and Glamis. Because of Wester Elchies' foundation date Aberlour House celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1986. The school went mixed in 1974 - the same year as Gordonstoun took girls although sisters of boys at Wester Elchies had been admitted during & shortly after World War II. Sir Toby Coghill, Bart., was headmaster of Aberlour House 1964-89. He was an old boy of Gordonstoun and a graduate of Pembroke College, Cambridge where he read Architecture and attained 'blues' in rowing and ice hockey. Previously he had been a housemaster at Aiglon College
, a Round Square
affiliated school in Switzerland and became chairman of the board of governors upon retirement. His ancestor was Nevill Coghill (VC) who died attempting to save the colours at Isandhlwana. Coghill was an Irishman from Castletownshend
, Co. Cork. He married Gay and had two children Patrick and Liza. He died in 2000 at the age of 70. Headmasters after him included Brian Head (1989–90), a Yorkshireman named David Edward Hanson (1990), a Scotsman named Mr. Caithness (1990–2000) and then an Englishman by the name of Neil Wainwright Gardner. Rumours always persisted amongst the pupils of a thoroughly unpleasant ghost named The Green Lady, which haunted the former Wester Elchies House. Her hauntings were mostly said to have occurred before the building became a school, although she was once, allegedly, seen by the school matron.
Aberlour House enjoyed a short-lived filip in 1993 when a local rival - Blairmore
- shut down. Aberlour took in many Blairmore pupils, appropriated Blairmore's scholarship boards and adopted Blairmore's Highland games event. Aberlour House never appended the word 'school' to its name even when it was separate from Gordonstoun. Although the Preparatory School still keeps its name (Aberlour House) it is now located within the grounds of Gordonstoun School.
Thomas Telford
, the renowned civil engineer
designed Craigellachie Bridge
spanning the River Spey
about two miles to the north of the town. It was built after the Great Spate in the 19th century destroyed an earlier bridge. Craigellachie Bridge is now open only to foot and cycle traffic. A new bridge has superseded it.
Alexander Cameron Sim, a pharmacist
who introduced lemonade (locally called ramune) to Japan, was born in the town.
The area was once served by Aberlour railway station
, but this closed as a result of the Beeching Axe
.
Moray
Moray is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland.- History :...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, 12 miles south of Elgin
Elgin, Moray
Elgin is a former cathedral city and Royal Burgh in Moray, Scotland. It is the administrative and commercial centre for Moray. The town originated to the south of the River Lossie on the higher ground above the flood plain. Elgin is first documented in the Cartulary of Moray in 1190...
on the road to Grantown. A burn (stream)
Burn (stream)
In Scotland, North East England and some parts of Ireland and New Zealand, burn is a name for watercourses from large streams to small rivers. The term is also used in lands settled by the Scots and Northern English in other countries, notably in Otago, New Zealand, where much of the naming was...
, a tributary of the River Spey
River Spey
The River Spey is a river in the northeast of Scotland, the second longest and the fastest-flowing river in Scotland...
, and surrounding parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
, are both named Aberlour, but the name is most commonly used in reference to the village which straddles the stream and flanks the Spey – although the full name of the village is Charlestown of Aberlour.
History
A site noted as Abirlaur is shown in this location on maps in Joan BlaeuJoan Blaeu
Joan Blaeu was a Dutch cartographer.He was born in Alkmaar, the son of cartographer Willem Blaeu.In 1620 he became a doctor of law but he joined the work of his father. In 1635 they published the Atlas Novus in two volumes...
`s Atlas of Scotland, from 1654. The current village, Charlestown of Aberlour, was "founded by Mr. Charles Grant of Elchies in 1812 - with the name of Charlestown of Aberlour after his son Charles." It is commonly referred to simply as Aberlour. The three locations are close enough in definition, for there to be little distinction between them.
According to the 1846 A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland, "This parish, formerly called Skirdustan, signifying, in the Gaelic tongue, 'the division of Dustan,' its tutelary saint, derived its present name from its situation at the mouth of a noisy burn, which discharges itself into the river Spey."
Aberlour once was the site of an orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
which was founded by a minister called Charles Jupp. It is said by many who were brought up in the orphanage, that Canon Jupp 'walked' the buildings on 30 November. His tomb
Tomb
A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes...
lies in St Margaret's Episcopal Church
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
which was the church used by the children of the orphanage. The orphanage was split into two separate units - one for the girls and the other for the boys. Between the two buildings was the school where the children were taught. Aberlour Child Care Trust is now one of Scotland's main children's charities with services throughout Scotland.
Aberlour also is the place where the famous Walkers
Walkers Shortbread
Walkers Shortbread is a Scottish manufacturer of shortbread, biscuits, cookies and crackers. The company is Scotland's biggest exporter of food....
. shortbread
Shortbread
Shortbread is a type of unleavened biscuit which is traditionally made from one part white sugar, two parts butter, and three parts oatmeal flour. The use of plain white flour is common today, and other ingredients like ground rice or cornflour are sometimes added to alter the texture...
is made. This shortbread is known around the world, and many a New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
celebration
Party
A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, or recreation. A party will typically feature food and beverages, and often music and dancing as well....
is brought in with the brand Walkers. Walkers own the woods behind the factory - Fisherton woods.
Until 2004, Aberlour was the site of the prep school
Preparatory school (UK)
In English language usage in the former British Empire, the present-day Commonwealth, a preparatory school is an independent school preparing children up to the age of eleven or thirteen for entry into fee-paying, secondary independent schools, some of which are known as public schools...
for Gordonstoun
Gordonstoun
Gordonstoun School is a co-educational independent school for boarding and day pupils in Moray in North East Scotland. Named after the estate originally owned by Sir Robert Gordon in the 1600s, the school now uses this estate as its campus...
. Aberlour House educated pupils from age 7 to 13. The links between Aberlour House and Gordonstoun were very close. They shared the same school song and school flag (purple and white). Furthermore, they shared the same school motto - "plus est en vous", a contraction of "plus est en vous que vous pensez" meaning, "there is more in you than you think". They were both founded by the German educationalist Dr. Kurt Hahn
Kurt Hahn
Kurt Martin Hahn was a German educator whose philosophies are considered internationally influential.-Biography:...
. His bust was prominently displayed in Aberlour House's front hall for many years. The prep school was founded at Wester Elchies in 1936 - three years after Gordonstoun. Wester Elchies expanded such that in 1947 a modest stately home - Aberlour House - was bought. Aberlour House had been occupied by the Army during the Second World War and is three miles from Wester Elchies. The younger boys attended Wester Elchies until the age of about 10. Then they proceeded on to Aberlour House. They moved on to Gordonstoun at the age of 13. Wester Elchies got dry rot and had to be pulled down in the early 1960s. A dormitory at Aberlour House was named Wester Elchies in memory of the old school building. Other dormitories took their names from local castles such as Cawdor, Spynie, Darnaway, Gaudwell, Balvenie, Duffus, Lochindorb, Auchindoun, Towie Barclay, Kilvarock, Findlater, Brodie and Glamis. Because of Wester Elchies' foundation date Aberlour House celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1986. The school went mixed in 1974 - the same year as Gordonstoun took girls although sisters of boys at Wester Elchies had been admitted during & shortly after World War II. Sir Toby Coghill, Bart., was headmaster of Aberlour House 1964-89. He was an old boy of Gordonstoun and a graduate of Pembroke College, Cambridge where he read Architecture and attained 'blues' in rowing and ice hockey. Previously he had been a housemaster at Aiglon College
Aiglon College
Aiglon College is a private English-style boarding school in Switzerland, registered as a not-for-profit charitable institution, with an international student intake . The school gathers funds from full fee-paying students, from donations and via registered charitable trusts in different countries...
, a Round Square
Round Square
The Round Square Conference of Schools is a worldwide association of more than 80 schools that allows students to travel between schools,tour foreign countries, involve themselves in community service and discover cultures along the way.-History:...
affiliated school in Switzerland and became chairman of the board of governors upon retirement. His ancestor was Nevill Coghill (VC) who died attempting to save the colours at Isandhlwana. Coghill was an Irishman from Castletownshend
Castletownshend
Castletownshend on Ireland's southwest coast, is a village about eight km from Skibbereen, in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. The village developed around a small 17th century castle built by Richard Townsend, whose descendents still reside there...
, Co. Cork. He married Gay and had two children Patrick and Liza. He died in 2000 at the age of 70. Headmasters after him included Brian Head (1989–90), a Yorkshireman named David Edward Hanson (1990), a Scotsman named Mr. Caithness (1990–2000) and then an Englishman by the name of Neil Wainwright Gardner. Rumours always persisted amongst the pupils of a thoroughly unpleasant ghost named The Green Lady, which haunted the former Wester Elchies House. Her hauntings were mostly said to have occurred before the building became a school, although she was once, allegedly, seen by the school matron.
Aberlour House enjoyed a short-lived filip in 1993 when a local rival - Blairmore
Blairmore School
Blairmore School was an independent boarding school in Glass near Huntly, Aberdeenshire until its closure in 1993.-History:Blairmore School was established in 1947 as an independent prep school for boys aged 8-13 by Colonel D.R. Ainslie D.S.O., B.A., a keen educationalist, Cambridge graduate and...
- shut down. Aberlour took in many Blairmore pupils, appropriated Blairmore's scholarship boards and adopted Blairmore's Highland games event. Aberlour House never appended the word 'school' to its name even when it was separate from Gordonstoun. Although the Preparatory School still keeps its name (Aberlour House) it is now located within the grounds of Gordonstoun School.
Thomas Telford
Thomas Telford
Thomas Telford FRS, FRSE was a Scottish civil engineer, architect and stonemason, and a noted road, bridge and canal builder.-Early career:...
, the renowned civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
designed Craigellachie Bridge
Craigellachie Bridge
The Craigellachie Bridge is a cast iron arch bridge located at Craigellachie which is near to the village of Aberlour in Moray, Scotland. It was designed by the renowned civil engineer Thomas Telford and built from 1812–1814...
spanning the River Spey
River Spey
The River Spey is a river in the northeast of Scotland, the second longest and the fastest-flowing river in Scotland...
about two miles to the north of the town. It was built after the Great Spate in the 19th century destroyed an earlier bridge. Craigellachie Bridge is now open only to foot and cycle traffic. A new bridge has superseded it.
Alexander Cameron Sim, a pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
who introduced lemonade (locally called ramune) to Japan, was born in the town.
The area was once served by Aberlour railway station
Aberlour railway station
Aberlour railway station served the village of Aberlour in Scotland. Served by the Strathspey railway, it was the last station before the junction at Craigellachie, where the line met the Great North of Scotland line that ran from Keith to Elgin.-History:...
, but this closed as a result of the Beeching Axe
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
.