Inverurie

Inverurie is a Town in the Aberdeenshire area of Scotland, 17 miles northwest of Aberdeen, on the road to the Moray Coast and Inverness, also into Speyside for the Malt Whisky Distilleries.

Inverurie is popular for its scenic Town Centre, Garioch Heritage Centre half of a mile north of the Town centre, The Bass Mound in Inverurie Cemetery half of a mile south of the Town centre, Kinkell Church linked to the Knights Hospitallers 2 miles south, carved Pictish Stones on the west side and 5 miles north, Glen Garioch Distillery 5 miles northeast, and a number of Walks in the Area.

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The image top is of the War Memorial in the Centre of Inverurie where the Market Place and High Street merge.

The second image is of Inverurie Town Hall at the Market Place, built in 1863, where most Events are now held, holding up to 500 people. Events List.

The Market Place leads half of a mile south to Inverurie Cemetery. The Mound here is known as The Bass, built as part of a Castle from the 1100s. The climb to the top gives great views.

There was a Chapel here in the 1100s that was replaced by a Parish Church. That Church was demolished in 1775. The Graveyard contains a number of Grave Stones with Pictish Symbols.

About one and a half miles south of The Bass, over the Bridge and follow signs, is Kinkell Church, built from the 1200s, linked to the Knights Hospitallers. This Church was rebuilt in 1538, abandoned in 1771. The top attraction at the Church is a Grave Slab with the carving of a Knight, thought to be of Gilbert de Greenlaw, who died at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411.

The High Street at Inverurie leads from the Market Place west to the Main Road, Golf Club, and the Brandsbutt Stone. The Stone is in the middle of a Housing Estate, best found by using Google Maps on your Phone. This Stone has Pictish Symbols from around the 600s, thought to have been part of a Stone Circle.

Inverurie Golf Club is on the west side of the Town, founded in 1923. The Club has a Bar and Restaurant that also welcomes Non Golfers.

Easter Aquhorthies Stone Circle is about 3 miles west of Inverurie via a single lane road, then about a half mile walk from the small Car Park. The Circle is well sign posted from the Large Roundabout at the Main Road. This Stone Circle is said to have been built around 4,000 years back.

The Maiden Stone is about 5 miles north of Inverurie, off the Main A96 Road following Signs. The Maiden Stone is 10 feet high, from about the 700s with Pictish Symbols, claimed to be a Maiden turned to stone by the Devil.

Inverurie History

2,000 BC - Easter Aquhorthies Stone Circle was built 3 miles west of where Inverurie is today. This is believed to have been a time People in Scotland began clearing Trees for Farming.

300 AD - the Picts had taken control of much of Scotland, with little known about these people, apart from the Carved Stones they left from the 300s to 900s.

1058 - King Malcom III and his decedents began taking control of all Scotland. Before this time, Scotland was made up of many Kingdoms. This was a time of peace, with the building of huge Abbeys and Cathedrals around Scotland.

1100s - The Bass of Inverurie was built as a Fort for Earl David of Huntingdon and Garioch, a family that became relations of King Robert the Bruce through marriage.

1200s - Kinkell Church was built 2 miles south of Inverurie, linked to the Knights Hospitallers, a Religious Military force that controlled areas around the World from the 1100s to 1800s.

1286 - King Alexander III died after falling from his horse. With him not leaving an heir, the English tried to gain control of Scotland, leading to the First War of Scottish Independence.

1308 - the Battle of Inverurie saw Robert the Bruce lead his forces to victory over the forces of his rival John Comyn, with The Bruce using The Bass at that time. The defeat of the Comyn's allowed The Bruce to become King of Scotland.

1411 - the Battle of Harlaw took place just north of Inverurie between forces of Donald MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, and forces of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar. This Battle was over control of Land in Northern Scotland, with the Earl of Mar taking control of the Land.

1745 - the Battle of Inverurie took place during the Jacobite Rebellions. This Battle was between Jacobite forces led by Lord Lewis Gordon, and Government forces led by Laird Norman MacLeod, with the Jacobite's winning the Battle.

1806 - the Aberdeenshire Canal linked Port Elphinstone at Inverurie with Aberdeen Harbour. This Canal allowed the transport of Goods and People between Inverurie and Aberdeen. Inverurie was built around Agriculture, with the Canal used to transport much of its Produce.

1816 - Horse Drawn Coaches began running between Aberdeen and Inverurie on the new roads being built at that time, faster than the Canal Boats, but more expensive for passengers.

1852 - the Inverurie Paper Mill was opened, at first using Rags, then Straw, Esparto Grass, then Wood Pulp. This was a time Education was becoming widespread, and the first News Papers were being produced around Scotland.

1854 - most of the Canal was drained so a section of the Aberdeen to Inverness Railway Line could be built in its place.

1905 - the Inverurie Locomotive Works was opened on the north side of Inverurie, in the area named Garioch.

1969 - the Inverurie Locomotive Works closed.

1970s - the start of the North Sea Oil Industry led to a number of Oil Service Companies being based at Inverurie, with many workers in the Oil Industry living in the area.

1987 - the Garioch Heritage Centre opened on the site of the Inverurie Locomotive Works.

2009 - the Paper Mill at Inverurie closed.

2009 - a Retail Park opened a short walk east of Inverurie centre, on the east side of the Railway Station.

Today - Thainstone Mart, on the south side of Inverurie, is the largest Livestock Market in Scotland.