Before the middle of the nineteenth century there was no village as we know it.  The Kirktown consisted of the parish church and manse the blacksmith and joiner and the farm of Kirkstyle.  Above this, scattered around the road which at that time eventually led to Aberdeen were a number of crofts, collectively known as Parkhill.

Where the Old Schoolhouse now stands was the Parish School. The master from 1820 - 1857 was Andrew Stevenson who had been coached by the local minister in preparation to go to college when the school became vacant in 1820 following the death of Charles Dawson. Despite his lack of formal education he built up the school, both academically and physically until it was acknowledged as a centre of excellence throughout the land. [See 'Tales o' the Maisters' ISBN 1 899966 00 5].

Around what is now the Square was the Mains of Kemnay which included a farm, some cottages and the local merchant's shop. The lease for the shop was acquired by William Maitland from Pitmachie near Old Rayne in 1852. There could have also been a croft along with the shop. In 1862 Maitland obtained a building lease for the land on which the shop and Ashley House, along with Veydon and the Square now stand, extending in all to half an acre [0.2 hectare].

There were also centres of population at Dalmadilly which at one time used to have a general merchant, butcher, shoemaker and sawmill.  Craigearn was a sizeable community consisting of several farms and crofts, having been acquired from the lairds of Cluny early in the seventeenth century.

Development of the Village

The building of the Alford Valley Railway (which opened in 1859) brought thousands of workers to the area. During this contract John Fyfe, a young quarrier who had been supplying stone for works on the line from quarries at Tyrebagger, near Aberdeen, obtained a lease for part of the Hill of Paradise, near Kemnay, and opened a quarry to facilitate this supply.

Once the railway was completed a number of men stayed on to continue working in the quarry and in order to house them, Fyfe built four blocks of tenements to accommodate them – in time these houses provided accommodation for around two hundred people.

George Gellie, described as a mason at Alford, obtained a building lease in 1863 and built the property which now houses the gymnasium and café on Station Road (2022). The building which houses the Indian takeaway is also on this site.

In 1865 James Thain, described as a quarrier, leased the adjoining plot to Gellie which stretched up to the High Street and built the property, for long known as "Thains Buildings" or the "Happyland." It used to be home to six tenants but now has the Chinese takeaway on the ground floor with domestic property above. In 1887 Thain gave up part of the feu which was then leased to Andrew Petrie who built the stately property fronting on to High Street and Station Road from which he operated a general merchant's business along with a Bank agency.

In 1865 George Emslie, mason at Insch, leased the land lying between St Brydes Road and the land leased by Gellie, Thain and Petrie, the High Street and the lane from St Brydes Road to Station Road. By the end of the year Emslie was bankrupt and the land was put up for sale and purchased by John Davidson, stone dyker of Banchory Ternan. The buildings now on this land consist of the house known as "Nechtan", Collie the butchers, J G Ross and the medical centre.

In 1866 John Grant, sometime farmer at Upper Inver, Monymusk, leased the land between High Street and Grove Road and built the house known as "Birchfield." This property at one time housed a branch of the City of Glasgow Bank which collapsed in 1878 to the ruination of most of its shareholders.

In 1870 a lease was granted to George Fraser, described as a pointsman at Kemnay Railway Station and later gamekeeper at Kemnay House. He gifted the land to his sons George and Frederick, both police constables. The properties known as "Strathyre" and "Albyn Place" were built before the two brothers had a tiff which necessitated the dividing up of the properties. It was found that "Albyn Place" was inappropriately placed on the site, hence the peculiar shape of the "Strathyre" plot.

In 1872 William Cassie, farmer, Craigearn leased the land adjoining Strathyre and Birchfield and built the property, long known as "Cassie Cottage", but now called "Quince Cottage." This property was home to four tenants.

In 1893 the last remaining piece of land contained by Grove Road, High Street and St Brydes Road was leased to Alexander Bruce, a carpenter, who built the property known as "Elora" which remained with the Bruce family until 1960.

In 1863 the plot of land lying to the west of St Brydes Road and south of the lane leading to Station Road (measuring 120 feet square) was leased to William Christie, residing at Kemnay who died on 14 September 1864. The property was acquired by the trustees for the Free Church Congregation for a manse to their minister and remained as such until the two churches united in January 1935 when it was sold to John and Bessie Mortimer. It later served as a manse for the minister of St. Anne's church in the village, after which it was sold and split into two houses.

In 1875 a building lease for the site next to the former manse was granted to Charles Watt, farmer, Braehead, Monymusk, and his spouse on which the house long known as "Norwood" was built.

The last plot of land on St Brydes Road was leased to Mrs Isabella Frost or Wilson, Upper Coullie, Monymusk, widow of George Wilson, farm overseer, on which was built the house known as "Homewood."

In March 1910 St. Bryde's Lodge of Freemasons, no. 991 of Grand Lodge of Scotland were granted a building lease for land off St Bryde's Road measuring 70 feet by 40 feet on which to build a meeting place.

A new farmhouse was built in 1860 for the Mains of Kemnay, the same year in which Alexander George Burnett commissioned James Henderson, architect and surveyor in Aberdeen to prepare a development plan for the village. This new building would have been the nucleus of the present day "Roslyn Cottage" which might have been created by Charles Stewart Grant who obtained a building lease for the ground in February 1888 and who in turn disposed of the property to Alexander Collie Milne, residing at Disblair, Newmachar, in April 1890 for £425.

John Melvin, described as farmer, Mains of Kemnay, might have been original tenant of "Roslyn." In January 1885 he received a building lease for a piece of ground which may have been part of the garden ground of the farmhouse and built the property known as "Salisbury Cottage." The property was purchased in March 1901 by William Melvin, a settmaker at the quarry, members of whose family were to remain there until the 1970s.

In 1866 Alexander Diack, mason, Kemnay acquired a building lease for the plot adjoining Roslyn and built the house known as "The Grange."

In February 1865 a building lease was granted for the site above "The Grange" to George Wilson, sometime chemist in Aberdeen and his only daughter Georgina Wilson, who built the house "Rose Cottage" (now Kinnaird).

In February 1865 a building lease for half an acre of ground lying to the north of High Street was granted to George Panton, sometime farmer, then residing at Inverurie on which was built the house known as "Blythewood." Following George Panton's death the property fell to his son William Alexander Panton. The property was eventually purchased by Alexander Sim Weir, chemist in 1901.

In January 1868 a building lease was granted to George Gellie for the plot above Blythewood on which was built the house known as "Albion."

In September 1874 George Gellie was granted a lease for the remaining site on High Street and built the house for long known as "Woodbine" and now called "Berriedale."

In August 1876 a building lease was granted to Alexander Diack, mason at Kemnay. This plot extended 65 feet along Aquithie Road, 170 feet along High Street, 105 feet along the boundary with Melville Cottage and 170 feet along the boundary with the Village Hall. On this he built the property fronting on to Aquithie Road known as "Thorpeville" which consisted of three shop units on the ground floor with living accommodation above. A later addition up to the High Street contained two shop units. He then built a shop for his son James Adam Diack who ran a tailor's business – this property now houses the hair shop. The modern building now housing another hairdressing establishment was erected by William G J Gauld around the 1970s and operated as a newsagent.

In July 1884 a building lease was granted to Andrew Troup, shoemaker, Kemnay, for the land to the east of the land leased to Alexander Diack (Thorpeville) and on which was built the property known as "Melville Cottage" which for many years housed a shoemaker's shop and dwelling.

The ground immediately behind "Melville" was leased in February 1888 to Mrs Margaret Melvin or Troup wife of Andrew Troup on which was built the house known as "Melville Place" and which remained with the Troup family until 1963. Entrance to this property was gained from a lane to the north of the site and which is now part of the car park.

In December 1887 the land between "Melville Cottage" and Paradise Road was leased to William Bremner, farmer in Alehousewells on which he erected a substantial building which now houses Manson the chemists business with living accommodation above.

To move back to Station Road.

In 1877 a building lease was granted to Leslie Adam, merchant, Kemnay for a plot of ground across the lane from George Gellie's plot. He built the customary tenement block along with an adjoining commercial building, the whole property being known as "Leslie Place." John McDonald, who had commenced baking in Gellie's building then moved into this new building and was followed in Gellie's building by another baker, Isaac Wright.

In November 1900 a building lease was granted to George Barron Adams, then refreshment-room keeper at Kemnay, for the adjoining plot to Leslie Adam on which he built the fine granite building we see today (29 Station Road). Behind this was erected a wooden building which housed the hall used for functions in connection with the Temperance Hotel which he operated.

A building lease for the last available plot on that side of the street was granted to Allan Reid and his son in April 1900 on which the property known as "St. Andrews" was built and operated as a butcher's shop.

Paradise Road was the original route through the area, passing over the side of Paradise Hill and heading through Dalmadilly on its way to Aquithie and beyond. During the 19^th century it was variously called "Old Road" or Ancient Road".

In August 1876 a building lease was granted to Alexander Bruce for a plot of land on which was built "Alma Cottage."

In August 1876 a building lease was granted to James Tough for the neighbouring piece of land on which was built "Elm Cottage."

In August 1876 a building lease was granted to Robert McDonald, garden labourer residing at Kemnay, for the piece of land to the north of "Elm Cottage" on which was built "Willowbank Cottage."

In November 1876 a building lease was granted to John Alexander Petrie, residing at Kemnay for a piece of ground on which was built "Meus Cottage." The property was to remain in the family's hands until the death of John's grand daughter, Elizabeth McAllan, in July 1985.

The ground to the south of "Alma Cottage" was leased to John Melvin, farmer Mains of Kemnay in November 1887 and on it were built at various times the house now known as "Lyndon", two semi detached cottages [then] known as "Mains Cottages". Part of the ground now occupied by the car park was the site of a garage which changed hands several times over the course of its lifetime.

The last plot of land on the left hand side of Paradise Road before arriving at Kendal Road was leased to Alexander Bruce, house carpenter at Kemnay, in July 1879 on which was built the property then known as "Rosemount Cottage" but later named "Reunion."

A lane was formed behind the houses on the north side of the High Street which would eventually be named "Church Lane."

The first plot of land beyond it was leased to George Ross, a mason at Kemnay Quarries, and his wife Barbara in December 1876 and the house they built was called "Greenfield."

In June 1878 the plot to the north of "Greenfield" was leased to William Barclay, farmer Woodend Kintore, and the property erected was called "Barclay Cottage."

In November 1878 a building lease was granted to Allan Bruce for the plot to the north of "Barclay Cottage" and the property known as "Eden Cottage" was built.

In October 1878 the plot on the corner of Paradise Road and Kendal Road was leased to James Taylor, on which the property known as "Gordondale" was built.

Walking up Church Lane one comes to a gate immediately beyond "Greenfield." This gate gives access to the plot of land on which "Hope Cottage" on Kendal Road was built. When Kendal Road was laid out a corner was formed after "Gordondale" and in order for the following properties on the right hand side of the street to sit parallel to the road the first plot was triangular in shape and contains "Hope Cottage." The lease for the plot was granted in May 1887 to Margaret Smith, domestic servant, then residing at Inchmarlo House.

In May 1889 the plot adjacent to "Hope Cottage" on Church Lane was leased to James Taylor who built "Jessamine Cottage" now known as "Dunvegan."

In February 1890 William McDonald and his spouse Annie Campbell or Guthrie or McDonald leased the next plot and built the property known as "Inchberry." William McDonald was the son of John McDonald, baker, who moved into "Leslie Place" in 1877.

In February 1890 William Alexander Diack, mason, Kemnay leased a plot of ground and built the property known as "Dunniekier Cottage."

In February 1890, Allan Bruce, carpenter at Kemnay, and his spouse Christina Cran Low or Bruce were granted a building lease for a plot of land on which was built "Nithsdale."

In March 1899 a building lease was granted for land at the top of Church Lane to Allan Bruce, carpenter, Kemnay, on which he built the property for long known as "Clifton Villa" but which was later renamed "Kinkellian."

Part of Kendal Road

A building lease for the plot adjacent to "Hope Cottage" was granted to James Taylor, described as a mason at Kemnay, in June 1888. He built the property known as "Aboyne Cottage" so named after the area where he spent his younger years – "Ferrar", near Aboyne.

The adjoining plot was also leased in June 1888 to James Leslie, mason, and his wife Helen Smith or Leslie who built the property known as "Orient."

The plot at the top of the hill was leased in January 1900 to two brothers, Alexander George Reid and William Bisset Reid, who between them ran a building firm in the area. They built the property known as "Ardennan" which housed four tenants, their parents being one of the tenants.

A Building lease was granted to James Kerr, formerly a farm servant and then residing at "Lily Cottage" Kemnay, in July 1900 and "Star House" was built on the plot.

John Alexander Burnett, by then laird, granted a building lease to the Trustees for the Episcopal Congregation at Monymusk in 1912 for the land adjoining "Star House" on which was erected a corrugated iron building (long known as the "Tin Kirkie") which served as their place of worship until the more substantial "St. Anne's" building was erected on the other side of the road in 1938.

On the north side of Kendal Road on the crest of the hill a building lease was granted in April/May 1898 to James Adam Diack, clothier, for a plot of land extending to three eights of an acre. He built the house known as "Benview", a semi detached building, the family stayed in one half while the other half was let out.

To the side of the above plot of land a building lease was granted in December 1898 for a triangular site to William Auld, slater residing at Kemnay, and his wife Catherine Reith or Auld, the property built on it being named "Dunrobin."

When the sites on Paradise Road, to the north of Kendal Road were laid out, a lane was formed along the east boundary of these sites. To the east of this lane a building lease was granted to George Rothnie, retired farmer, then residing at "Midmar Cottage" Kemnay, in February 1898 on which was built the property known as "Crathie Cottage" which housed four tenants.

A building lease for the site adjacent to "Crathie Cottage" was granted to George Rothnie in November 1898 and the semi detached property known as "Lachshellach" was built.

In June 1924 the plot of land to the east of Lachshellach was leased to John Adam, on which he built the property now known as "Clova", the first of many properties he built in the village.

Paradise Road from Kendal Road northwards.

In April 1879 a building lease was granted to John Buchan, house carpenter residing at Grant Lodge near Inverurie, for the corner site to the east of Paradise Road and north of Kendal Road. On which he proceeded to build two adjoining properties originally called "Buchan's Buildings" but later renamed "Prospect Cottage" and "Gladstone Cottage." He later built, on the east end of the site, the property known as "Arthurseat."

In June 1882 the plot to the north of Buchan's plot was leased to Robert Cheves, mason at Kemnay on which he built the property known as "Alexandria Cottage."

Robert Cheves also leased the adjoining plot in November 1891 and built the property known as "Glengalder" which he retained for his own use.

George Ewen, causeyman, Kemnay, was granted a building lease to the north of "Alexandria Cottage" in December 1898 on which he built the property known as "Kimberley", so named after an area in which he worked in USA.

Also in December 1898 the adjoining plot was leased to George Morgan, causeyman, residing in Kemnay, on which he built the property known as "Santa Rosa" so named after an area in California in which he worked for a time.

In February 1899 a building lease was granted to Alexander Sim jr., mason, on which the property known as "Hazel Cottage" was built.

The remainder of the properties on this side of Paradise Road were local authority housing built between 1934 and 1939.

The area of land between Kendal Road and a lane leading to Aquithie Road was leased as two building plots. The plot next the lane was leased to James Chalmers, carpenter, Kemnay, and his spouse Mrs Charlotte Cheves or Chalmers in January 1896 who built the property for long known as "Balfour Cottage." The other plot was leased by Allan Bruce, carpenter, and his spouse Christina Cran Low or Bruce, also in January 1896 and the property, originally named "Allanvale" but subsequently renamed "Sunnymede" was built.

The plot on the other side of the lane was leased to William Melvin, settmaker, and his spouse Jane Carnie or Melvin in January 1896 who built the property known as "Tantallon" which used to house four tenants.

The property known as "Garryvene" was the house and buildings for a small holding known as "West Mains" which was tenanted by a Mary Grieve.

A plot of land about halfway between "West Mains" and Fraser Place was leased in April 1877 to Alexander Whyte, Inspector of Poor for behoof of the Parochial Board. The said lease specifically declares that the said ground is intended for the site of one or more dwelling houses to be erected by the Parochial Board of Kemnay as residences for their paupers, but if said house is, or said houses are, not required for paupers they may be let to yearly tenants who are not objected to by the proprietor. The venture did not turn out to be too successful and the property was sold in 1894 to Robert Cheves, mason. It changed hands several time before John Adam purchased it in 1932 and renovated the property. It is now known as "Murraydale" and "Duncairn."

AQUITHIE ROAD

A building lease dated May/June 1878 in favour of John A Burnett, Saplinbrae, Old Deer, John Fyfe, tenant of the Quarries at Paradise of Kemnay, and William Kendall Burnett, Kemnay House – three of the directors of the Kemnay Public Hall Co. Ltd., forming the Management Committee of said Company – for the plot of land to the north of "Thorpeville" on which was built the now Kemnay Village Hall. 

A building lease for the plot adjoining that of the Village Hall was granted in November 1884 to William Wright who built the property known as "Westhall" which at one time housed four tenants.

The plot to the north of "Westhall" was leased to The Don Cooperative Society Ltd., Thomas Tait Booth, mill manager, Inverurie Mills, and John Rennie, engineer there, two of the trustees of the said Society and as such the sub-committee of management of that Society in December 1886.

A building lease was granted to John Kerr, residing at 6 Market Place, Inverurie, in October 1887. The property built was "Lily Cottage."

Following protracted legal wranglings a feu charter for the plot of land on the corner of Aquithie Road and Kendal Road was granted in February 1898 on which to build a police station.

The corner plot across Kendal Road from the police station was leased to Thomas Morrison, general merchant, Kemnay and his wife Mrs Isabella Ritchie or Morrison in February 1898 on which was built a dwelling house and shop.  Over the years this has been redevelopd and the complete ground floor is now occupied by 'Morrisons Daily' - a mini supermarket while the first floor is leased as a dwelling.

The building now named "Idlewhyll" was originally a steading on Thomas Morrison's property but was converted to a dwelling house in 1975

Also in February 1898 the plot across the lane from Morrison's plot was leased to Alexander Mair, general carpenter, on which was built the property known as "Rosehall", a wooden building to the rear of the plot served as his workshop. Sadly he became financially embarrassed and in 1904 the property was purchased by Alexander Henry, baker and confectioner, Monymusk. Mair and his wife, who had lost their infant daughter, Annie, in December 1902, moved to Fraserburgh where he died in June 1944, His wife Barbara died in November 1953 – all three are buried in the churchyard at Kemnay.

The plot adjacent to "Rosehall" was leased to Mrs Christine Proctor or Melvin, wife of Malcolm Melvin, tailor in Inverurie, in November 1905. The property originally known as "Ellaville" now "West Park" was built.

The plot on the corner of Aquithie Road and Bridge Road was leased to Charles Stuart, slater, residing at Kemnay, in May 1878 and the property known as "Bridgeview" was built.

The land between Aquithie Road and the Alford Valley Railway which ran parallel to the road, between what is now the car park and Mossville, was for long laid out as allotments.

A building lease was granted to Francis Skene, shoemaker, Backward, Kemnay in February 1866, the property known as "Mossville" being built.

The adjoining plot was let in February 1866 to John Walker, shoemaker Backward, Kemnay and the property now known as "Halcyon" was built. John Walker was also granted a building lease for the adjacent plot to the north on which was built the property known as Sandbank.

A building lease was granted in November 1868 to David Taylor, mason, Kemnay, on which was built the property known as "Springbank."

A building lease was granted in November 1870, [to the north of that leased by David Taylor above], to John Adan, stone dresser, Kemnay, on which the property known as "Lilydale" was built.

VICTORIA TERRACE

In November 1878 a building lease was granted to James Melvin, mason, Kemnay, and the property known as "Kirkville" was built.

In October 1878 a building lease was granted to Alexander Whyte, mason, Kemnay, and the property named "Bellaville" and subsequently called "Parkview" was built.

In July 1879 a building lease was granted to Charles Watt and his wife Mrs Margaret Downie or Watt, residing at Kemnay, and the property known as "Victoria Cottage" and subsequently called "Lynmhor" was built.

In July 1879 a building lease was granted to George Gellie and Mrs Mary Ann Taylor or Gellie his spouse, and the property named "Gowanbank" was built.

In April 1880 a building lease was granted to Miss Jessie Taylor, and the property named "Lilliesleaf" was built.

In February 1880 a building lease was granted to William Wright, carpenter, Kemnay and the property named "Dowanhill" was built.

In January 1880 a building lease was granted to Peter Philip, farmer at Craigearn, and the property named "Rosehill" was built.

In April 1881 a building lease was granted to William Wright, house carpenter, Kemnay and the property named "Oakbank" was built.

In June 1882 a building lease was granted to James Paterson (farmer, Monymusk) and Mrs Sophie Morrison or Paterson and the property named "Tillywater" was built.

In March 1896 a building lease was granted to Robert Barron, butcher at Kemnay, residing at Woodside Cottage, Port Elphinstone, and the property then named "Finzean Villa" but now called "Kirk House" was built.

In May 1896 a building lease was granted to George Proctor, sometime schoolmaster, residing at "Gowanbank", Kemnay, and the property then named as "The Evergreens" renamed as "The Laurels" and now named "Birkenshaw" was built.

In October 1896 a building lease was granted to William Alexander Panton, Chemist, residing at "Woodbine Cottage", Kemnay, and the property then named as "The Firs" subsequently renamed "Windlestralee" was built.

In February 1907 a building lease was granted to James Forbes, blacksmith at Kemnay, and Mrs Helen Forbes or Strachan, his daughter, then dressmaker of 10 Leslie Road, Aberdeen, and the property named "Tornahaish Cottage" was built.

In October 1906 a building lease was granted to William Riddell and Mrs Jane Tarves or Riddell, residing at "Elm Cottage", and the property then named "Essieburn" but later renamed "Ulva" was built.

In October 1907 a building lease was granted to Jessie McDonald and Annie McDonald, both spinsters and daughters of John McDonald, baker, at Kemnay, and residing with him there, and the property then named "Maybank" but later renamed "Evandale" was built.

In 1927 the remaining plot bewteen Windlestralee and Evandale was leased to John D. Simpson who erected the property known as "Austin".

BRIDGE ROAD

In November 1877 a building lease was granted to John Melvin, farmer at Mains of Kemnay, and the property known as "Viewforth" was built.

In November 1914 a registered building lease was granted to John Pirie, cycle agent, Kemnay  for the property known as "St. Bryde's View".

In April 1907 a building lease was granted to Francis Robert Gregson of Tilliefoure and the property known as Riverside House was built.

In 1872 a lease was granted to James Meston for land to the north of the railway and east of the road to Alehousewell.  It was on this site the Burnett Arms Hotel was eventually built.

LOWER PART OF KENDAL ROAD

In February 1895 a building lease was granted to William Booth, tailor, Kemnay and his wife Mrs Mary Mackie or Booth and the property named Ythan Cottage was built.

In February 1895 a building lease was granted to John Gordon Gray, engineer, of "Hope Cottage", Kemnay and the property named "Rowanbank" was built.

In March 1895 a building lease was granted to Alexander Ogg, blacksmith, then residing at "Westhall", Kemnay, and the property named "Laurelbank" was built.    

The above information has been gleaned from the Burnett archive at Kemnay House [NRA(S) 1368].

John Alexander Burnett's precarious condition came to a head and he granted a trust deed on behalf of the trustees of James Meston & Co., Aberdeen in April 1921. From that date Meston's took over the running of the estate for the benefit of the creditors. There are few documents in the archive relating to the estate after that date as these would have all been held by James Meston & Co. Whether any such documents now exist is unknown.

The writer is ever grateful for the opportunity to access this archive.