Kemnay

Kemnay lies to the south of the River Don, situated between Monymusk on the west and Kintore on the east, located near Inverurie about 15 miles north west of Aberdeen. John Fyffe took a lease of Paradise Hill to quarry granite. Quarrying in Kintore had taken place on a small scale since 1830 when the quarry was opened to supply stone for the alterations at Kemnay House. John Fyffe built the quarries up until the name of Kemnay granite was known all over the world. The work of the quarries brought many people into the area, and as a result the village began to be laid out. The Kemnay quarries employed over four hundred men, the quarries were celebrated for supplying Holburn Viaduct and Thames Embankment, London and Forth Bridge.

Castle Fraser

Castle Fraser is 3 miles South of Kemnay, it has over 400 years of history. The building began in 1575 by the 6th Laird, Michael Fraser, it was not completed until 1636, it is the largest and most elaborate of the Scottish Castle's built on the Z plan. The main part of the castle was built in a Z shape and has both a square and a round seven storey tower. The castle was owned by the Fraser's until 1921, then was bought by the 1st Viscount Cowdray and finally gifted to the National Trust for Scotland in 1976. The great hall inside the castle has an immense fireplace, it gives one a taste of centuries past. There is fine furniture, paintings and memorabilia inside. Outside there is a beautiful walled garden and woodland walkways.

Kemnay Today

Kemnay today, is one of the finest villages in the county. It now presents an entirely new and tasteful appearance, with cottages and semi-detached two storey houses, constructed by granite and roofed by blue slate. The village now has an Academy offering a six year secondary course also two primary schools, one in the village and one in Kintore.