Page 26 - LOTN Issue 45

FAITH AND CULTURE

Churches of the

Diocese of Aberdeen

Under the aegis of Archbishop Emeritus Mario Conti we
continue our series celebrating the rich variety of church
buildings in the Diocese. The building of St Columba's,
Banchory, the church featured in this issue, was made possible
by a bequest of the estate of Auchinhove, by the late Charles
Stephen Leslie of Balquhain and Fetternear. The land on which
the church now stands was bought for the purpose in 1927
and the new church was opened in 1931. The following article
is based on the scale drawings and text of architect Oliver St Columba's Banchory (Stanley Howe, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://
R. Humphries FRIAS and the line drawings of Professor John commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12414930)
R. Hume, a talented illustrator, historian and architectural ground which rises steeply from and north of the river. A High
expert. Street was formed, higher than the original turnpike road, and
became the shopping and commercial centre of the burgeoning
The Church of Saint Burgh. Travelling in an East-West axis, elevated above the
River Dee, the High Street now carries the main traffic from
Aberdeen through Aboyne, Ballater, Braemar and beyond,
Columba, Banchory finally connecting with Perth.
On this street at the west end of Banchory is located the
Church of St. Columba. The building of the Church was
BY OLIVER R HUMPHRIES FRIAS AND made possible by a bequest of the estate of Auchinhove, by the
PROFESSOR JOHN R HUME late Charles Stephen Leslie of Balquhain and Fetternear. The
purpose of the bequest was to provide funds adequate to build

The Burgh and the Church a new church and presbytery at Banchory-Ternan and to create
an endowment for the support of a residential priest. The land
on which the church now stands was bought for the purpose
n the Dee Valley at the confluence of the Rivers Dee in 1927. In its own ground set back from the High Street and
and Feugh about 20 miles west of Aberdeen is located slightly above it the site is surrounded by a high enclosing wall.
the Burgh of Banchory. Originally known as the A car park dominated by a splendid tree fills the space between
IKirkton of Banchory it dates back to the days of the the church and the High Street.
Middle Ages, being referred to in the Charter of 1324. Its The site is shared with a small domestic building to the right
existence and location relied on its position next a crossing of the site entrance. Originally a gate house to a larger property
point or ford on the River Dee at the site presently held the building is now a meeting place annexed to the church and
by Banchory Lodge Hotel. This ford was supplemented used by the congregation. Here on the 29th October 1931
by later bridges of successively improving stability for was opened the new Church of St. Columba, Banchory by Dr.
pedestrians and carts. However in 1802 a new turnpike road Bennett, Bishop of Aberdeen, supported by a large number of
was constructed along the line of the present day Station his clergy.
Road and this resulted in a new settlement being formed As mentioned the church stands in its own ground. Designed
to the west of the original Kirkton. This settlement became by a Mr. Devlin ARIBA the church is built in pink Hill of Fare
"New Banchory” or "Arbeadie". When the railway arrived granite. The style has references to the Arts and Crafts movement
in 1853 the last remnants of the Kirkton were removed. with a large over-flying slated roof and exposed eave timbers
Banchory became a Police Burgh in 1885. and rafter ends. There is a small faceted tower at the south west
Development of the New Banchory was on the south-facing
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