Glenbuchat Heritage

11 GF Rose at Auchernach

Click to see introduction to Auchernach.

Click to see all the pages referring to Auchernach.

The above pictures show:

1. Advert for the sale of Auchernach and Drumblair estates of William McHardy.
2. Advert for sale of contents of Auchernach
3. G.F. Rose at a sale of work in Dinnet.

After the death of William McHardy, his daughter Lucinda continued at the estate but from 1920 the estate was advertised for sale. Note that the estates of Auchernach and Drumblair were advertised at the same time. The estate was advertised a number of times between 1920 and 1924 when it seems to have been sold in 1924 as there was a sale of the house contents.

Lucinda Rose McHardy (1899 -1975) William McHardy’s daughter inherited the house and according to the 1920 valuation roll (above0 was living at the house then. She died spinster in Morningside, Edinburgh.

Auchernach was sold to Mr G. F. Rose, He made his money in India where he worked with a number of Jute companies as manager and engineer. Mr Rose also bought Tullich Lodge near Ballater.

Click to Album of previous pages for G F Rose.


G F Rose was very interested in the estate especially in its forestry and its history. In 1927 he commissioned a report on the geology of the estate.


AUCHERNACH ESTATE.
Interesting Geological Survey.
‘The Geology of Auchernach ,, the title of an illustrated brochure printed by Milne and Hutchison, Aberdeen, for the proprietor of the estate Mr G. F. Rose. Three years ago Mr Rose decided to have the estate surveyed, and the work was carried out by Messrs James E. Smith and Arthur G. Hutchison (assisted latterly by Stevenson Buchan) of Aberdeen University. The report which forms the of the brochure was written by Hutchison, and the whole work is an unusual and most valuable and interesting addition to local topographical literature. We are not aware of a similar survey of any other Scottish estate, and it would be of great benefit if the example here given were followed elsewhere. Auchernach, the parish of Strathdon, lies towards the head of Glen Nochty, and the estate, with its Green Hill, is an oasis in the bare and sterile glen. Its geological features are interesting, and fairly varied, and the surveyors have been at pains to correlate the structure of the estate with that of the geological formations of the Highlands. They have, naturally, been unable to go far in this direction, but they have done enough to suggest that intensive investigation will result in a clearer understanding of the structure of the Highland area. The description of the geology of the estate is not written in highly technical phraseology, and a glossary has been appended, together with numerous maps, plans, and photographs. In foreword Dr Douglas Simpson describes the estate itself, the Mansion house, and several of the more interesting features of the district.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Saturday 15 November 1930

He was also an active member of the Deeside Field Club who had many illustrious landowners in its membership. The following is a report of the Deeside Field Club to Auchernach in 1936 when surprising large number of 220 members.

There is an interesting comment by Dr Douglas Simpson a noted local expert on Archaeology. He comments on Auchernach site being the site of an old castle and an old highland crofting village nearby. It is possible a transcription error by the reporter and ay refer to the site of of the Old Glenbuchat Castle near the Mowat stone. Further research has indicated that there is no evidence of an old castle at Auchernach.

HISTORY IN DONSIDE
Field Club's Visit to Auchernach

There were elements of romance, Highland tradition, and ancient lore in the itinerary of the Deeside Field Club which explored the hills and glens of lovely Donside as far as Auchernach where they were the guests on the excursion on Saturday of Mr G.F. Rose of Auchernach and Mrs Rose.

In the picturesque setting among mountains, Auchernach and the valley were bathed in radiant sunshine, and the excursion was one of the best that 1 been held by the club. Mr and Mrs received the company of 220, and a real Highland welcome was given by two pipers.

The day's programme commenced with a visit to the Mowat Stone that marks the scene of a duel famous in the history of Donside, the story was told by Dr Douglas Simpsons in fascinating terms The huge boulder rests in a natural amphitheatre of young trees, and the approach had been very considerately cleared by Col. Milne of Logie and Glenbuchat to permit of a closer view of the ancient relic of turbulent feuds.

Cameron Feud
Previous to 1400 the family of Brux not Forbeses but Camerons, and the legend was that the Camerons had a feud with the Mowats of Abergeldie, long before the days of the Gordons. It was arranged to settle it in single combat, in which Mowat was slain. Katherine the heiress of Brux, and Forbes were married at, Kildrummy. The Camerons were succeeded by the Forbeses.

The company, after tea, assembled in the sunshine in front of the ancient mansion, where Dr. Bremner, joint-secretary, intimated apologies for absence from Ishbel Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair, Lord Provost Watt, Walter A. Reid, Col. Milne of Logie and others.

President's Honour
Chas. Davidson, vice-president off the Club, who presided, congratulated Lady Aberdeen on behalf the members on the honour she had recently received from the women, and mentioned "that when he was in Ireland recently the mention of the names of Lord and Lady Aberdeen was an ''open sesame” to him.

He proposed hearty thanks to their extra-ordinarily kind host and hostess for their abundant hospitality.

Mr Rose, on behalf of himself and Mrs Rose thanked them for their kind thanks, and said they regarded it: as a very great honour to have the Deeside Field with them at Auchernach. (Applause.)

Thanks, were also voiced by the chair to Col. Milne for permission to visit the Mowatt Stone, and for the way in which he had sacrificed his trees in order that they might examine the stone.

The Rev. Mr Morrison, Cults, proposed thanks Dr Simpson, who, he said was the heart and soul of Deeside Field Club. …..

…… Auchernach House j

An interesting description of Auchernach House and its wonderful old walled garden was then given by Dr Simpson, who explained that it was the ancient property of the Forbesses.

The present house was built in 1800 by General Forbes, in the service of the East India Company, and it was interesting successor, the present laird, had also an active career in India, (applause.)

The architectural feature of the house was its quiet and vigorous dignity. The position was an important one and explained the strategical reason why the old Castle was planted there. If they went up the glen a little they would a see a perfect example of a vanished Highland crofting village in the days of the old commercial agriculture.

Illicit Whisky Days

Mr Rose added to the interesting ancient lore of the district by pointing out the old road from Glenlivet by which the whisky from illicit stills used to be brought down into Angus, and he gave amusing incidents associated with the smuggling daws.

The remarkable high-walled old garden was next an object of great interest. At such ahigh altitude above sea level, the vegetation was wonderfully luxurious and the flowers in full bloom. Among the many relics pointed out was a seventeenth century dove cot which had been converted into a silo without sacrificing its architectural features,

The house party Auchernach were G. F. Rose and Mrs Rose, Colonel and Rose and Miss Magdalene Rose.

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Monday 05 October 1936

Mr Rose also had an interesting collection of medals and paintings.

,MR G. F. ROSE of Auchernach has a remarkable collection of war medals dating back to Waterloo and the Battle of the Nile. The collection must be one of the most representative in Britain. Mr Rose gathered some of his trophies during his 32 years' service in India, including a most unusual medal issued during the Burma campaigns. This medal has two clasps, given for service in campaigns ten years apart. Mr Rose is also very proud of his collection of pictures, and in his gallery, he has examples of the work of Gainsborough, Reynolds. and other famous artists, including, the two well-known Aberdeen men, Dyce and Philip. I was informed by Mr Rose that he picked up these treasures when the opportunity offered itself. Last year. for instance, in a little shop in Bath he bought a valuable miniature for £l5. _ - There is only one other like it by the same artist known to exist, and it is in the possession of Mr .1 Pierpont Morgan, the American financier. Several gifts have been made by Mr Rose to Aberdeen Art Gallery. His latest is a complete set of silver Coronation medals dating back to Queen Anne. and including a silver medal issued for the Coronation of King Edward VIII. X Arduous Debut

Aberdeen Evening Express - Monday 16 January 1939