Saturday, 16 July 2016

Aikenway on Map dated 1654


The earliest map of Scotland that I can find was made in 1558. By 1654 the maps were quite detailed. The earliest map that I can find showing our property is dated 1654. Nearby Aikenway Castle, after which the farm was named, which was built high up looking down on the horseshoe bend of the River Spey was most probably built around 1400, but almost nothing remains. It is likely that the great house and, indeed, our house was built from the stones of the castle.

Our place, Aikenway Lodge, built on part of Aikenway Farm only dates from about 1840.

I thought you might like to see the map which is described as


Duo Vicecomitatus Aberdonia & Banfia, una cum Regionibus & terrarum tractibus sub iis comprehensis / Auctore Roberto Gordonio à Straloch.
Description of the two Shyres Aberdene and Banf, with such Countreys and Provinces as ar comprehended un  



A little more detail

Even more detail. Can you spot Aikenway?


Most country folk in the 1500's and 1600's lived in moss roofed Crofts 
or, later, stone walled Crofts with almost no light. It is reckoned that the peasants who farmed Aikenway most probably lived in such dwellings.










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4 comments:

  1. Jupiter PI19 September 2019 at 09:13

    Hello Mr. Peel. My great great grandfather Donald MacRae, his wife, Jane (Dickie) MacRae and their daughter, Catherine MacRae lived at Aikenway Croft from at least 1901 to 1909 (when Donald MacRae died there on on 18 December 1909). Jane (Dickie) MacRae died at Aikenway Croft on 15 Nov 1919. Both Donald & Jane MacRae are buried in the Rothes Old Churchyard. Donald MacRae, who was born in Kintail, was previously a shepherd at the Huntly Lodge during the lodges' ownership by the Duke and Duchess of Gordon. I have a photo of Donald and his family you are interested.

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  2. Christopher Peel19 September 2019 at 09:53

    Hi,
    Thank you for your valuable comments. There was an old croft on our property which was demolished a long time ago before we purchased the property. It was referred to as the Shepherds cottage. There is another croft further down towards the river that is still standing and it might have been this one. It overlooks Aikenway Farm and is not on our property. Well done. Chris

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    Replies
    1. Jupiter PI19 September 2019 at 10:14

      Mr. Peel, I placed a photo on my website of the croft house in Aikenway - maybe you can tell me if it's yours or not. Also - your permission is requested to add a link on that page to your blog :) In this photo is my 2nd cousin, Hamish McRae (London Independent Newspaper) and his daughter. https://meetwithfamily.com/our-ancestry-pages/macrae-of-scotland. Thank you, Dan Smith

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  3. Unknown4 June 2020 at 13:28

    Good evening Mr peel,

    I grew up in Orton and I have always had a fascination with Aikenway Castle. Do you know if there are any portraits etc of the castle? Do you happen to know anything about the flat topped hill (previously called Gallow Hill on old OS maps), due north of the collie farm?

    Iain Catto

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