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New Pitsligo
New Pitsligo lies on the A950 Peterhead to Banff road, and is
but a mile off the A98 road from Fraserburgh to Banff. The village lies on
the eastern slope of Turlundie hill, with views overlooking the hinterland of
Buchan and out to the North Sea. It is surrounded by fertile farmlands
improved down through the generations by hard work, and by peat mosses (or
peat bogs).
Described once as a tired and somewhat dreary place, the village has been
transformed quite remarkably over recent years into a revived and vibrant
community whose residents are not yet satisfied that the task is complete
The village has an active Community Council which has organised much voluntary
work.
The local authorities have helped considerably, with landscaping and tree
planting along both sides of the main street demonstrating their ongoing
commitment to New Pitsligo.
The village Square has been greatly enhanced and a new recreation area has
replaced the old football pitch to the east of the Square.
Buildings Old and New.
The buildings in the village reflect both the old and the new. Many of the
properties are listed buildings. St. John's Episcopal Church is listed under
category B, and sixteen other buildings are listed under category C.
Many old houses have been renovated and modernised. Indigenous villagers and
newcomers alike have restored, enlarged and modernised many rundown and even
derelict properties.
Others have built attractive houses on what were vacant unkept sites.
Forbes Court sheltered housing complex was opened in 1986.
Historical Background
The lands of Pitsligo were the property of the Lords Pitsligo until the 18th
century, and were forfeited by the last Lord Pitsligo because of his support
for the losing side in the second Jacobite rebellion of 1745.
Part of the estate eventually went to his grand-nephew Sir William Forbes of
Monymusk, a man of considerable wealth with banking interests in Edinburgh. It
was he who founded the present village of New Pitsligo around the existing
small hamlet of CYAAK (pronounced Ki-yack). Cyaak even today is the byname for New Pitsligo and residents revel in being
referred to as 'Cyaakers'.
To encourage settlers, Sir William charged little for the feus (traditional ¼
acre plots) in the village, and spent considerable sums in planning and laying
out the mile long High Street. He offered settlers land (feus), stone
(granite) for building, and peat for their fires from the nearby mosses.
Low Street and School Street were soon added, with their connecting lanes, and
the Denburn was made a relaxing central feature by tree planting.At its peak
the village had 2000 inhabitants and claimed the distinction of being the
largest village in Scotland. It then had four churches and two schools.
The present population is around 1200. Two churches remain, and we have a
thriving primary school.
The huge peat bogs, swept by cold winds from the north and east, must have
offered a daunting propect to the early settlers but they dug themselves in
producing peat from the moss and granite from the quarries.
Many of the menfolk developed great skill as masons and builders. The then
relatively infertile land was worked by peasant farmers. Weaving and lace
making flourished.
New Pitsligo Lace
Lace making was introduced to the village in the 1820's. Tradition has it that
Lady Forbes brought the first lace makers up from her estates in Devon, but
other accounts say the art was brought to New Pitsligo by a lady from Huntly.
New Pitsligo lace makers work the straight edge on the left of the pillow in
the continental style, suggesting a strong European link.
Dean Webster, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church from 1841 -1893, turned
the practice into a thriving industry and found outlets for the product in
Africa and America. Queen Victoria is said to have been particularly fond of
New Pitsligo lace.
The art has been passed down, without written instructions, for generation to
generation and an active lace club of adults and children carries on the
tradition today.
The Parish Church
The village lay within the ecclesiastical parish of Tyrie and a Chapel of Ease
was built near the top of the hill of Turlundie in 1799, the Rev Alex Farquhar
being ordained its first minister on May 28th of that year.
On January 21st 1853 New Pitsligo was disjoined from Tyrie and became a parish
"Quoad Sacra". The church has beautiful lancet windows surmounted by
decorative crosses, and an artistic belfry (the bell is inscribed "J Warner &
Sons, London, 1853"). There are galleries on three sides, in one of which is affixed a white tablet to the memory of The
Reverend John Sharp, 25 years Schoolmaster and 33 years Pastor.
The kirkyard is old and interesting. One of the early headstones is "To the
memory of Joseph Henry, inkeeper in New Pitsligo during the space of 32
years-from the year 1788". Mr Henry died 6th June 1820.
The Church of St John the Evangelist
Tne present Scottish Episcopal Church was completed in 1871 and replaced an
earlier church erected about 1835. Designed by George Edmund Street, it is one
of the best examples of his work in Scotland and was built by local labour.
One of the memorial windows commemorates William Mitchell, "Master mason of New Pitsligo, co-partner in the building of
this church".
The Church has an unusual crypt supported by a central pillar. Six stained
glass windows commemorating nine rectors of the church and its great patron
Lord Clinton and an organ commemorating the Rev Wm. Webster, was presented by
J. H. Bridges in 1898 in memory of his father. The churchyard here too has
many old and interesting headstones. Canon Bridges.
Schools
New Pitsligo and St. Johns Primary School for pupils up to secondary school
age. There is also a pre-school toddlers group and playgroup for children aged
three to primary age. Secondary school pupils are educated at Mintlaw Academy
and Fraserburgh Academy.
The Public Hall
The Public Hall is one of the best in the area. Built in 1896 it was
extensively renovated in 1969. It is owned by the village itself.
Events
Annual events include the Flower Show, held on the first Saturday of
September, a Visual Arts Exhibition during the last weekend of September
(including paintings, photography, 3D work and crafts), and Highland Dancing
Festivals are also held.
Public Library
This listed building was the original village school and among its later uses
became a shoemaker's shop. It was dismantled stone by stone in 1991, each
stone being carefully numbered, and completely rebuilt to re-open in early
1992.
Four C's Cafe & Craft Shop
Run as a publicly owned community business this is a recent innovation which
has benefitted both visitors and local people.
It is open seven days a week from March to October for meals and snacks. Bus
parties can be catered for by arrangement.
Bowling Green
Our bowling green was laid out in the early eighties on the site of the old
tennis courts and has a clubhouse which caters for indoor bowling.
Knowledgeable bowlers know it as one of the best greens in the north east.
Facilities
We have a football field, sports pavillion, and several scenic public country
walks. Some of the housing estates have play areas for children. There is also
a police office, and a doctor's surgery on School Street. There are two motor
repair garages where vehicles can also be bought.
John Smith & Sons - Bakers
John Smith founded his family business in 1903, starting off by baking and
selling his own products.The business expanded over the years and the third
generation of Smiths have thriving factories in New Pitsligo and Aberdeen,
along with excellent retail shops selling their quality products including their renowned butter biscuits and oatcakes. Carry-out
meals are also provided.
Other information
The village is well served by numerous other businesses and retail outlets. We
have three licensed hotels (although neither of these provide accommodation)
plus the Royal British Legion club, and two banks. There is also a grocery
store and a post office and grocery store combined. These, along with the
School, provide the main employment within the village, and many inhabitants
work with the rural business of Lovie and Lovie Construction.
There is a daily bus service to Aberdeen and several to Fraserburgh. There is
also a Buchan circular bus which travels to other villages in Buchan, where a
connection can be made to Aberdeen.
An incredible range of active voluntary organisations and groups is sustained
by the relatively small number of people resident within our Community Council
area.
Leisure activities abound and Northfield Farm Museum and Bonykelly Dam
(Reservoir) with its trout fishing are within easy reach.
New Pitsligo has a facinating history and is today, a lively and interesting
modern village worthy of the attention of our visitors.