Fordyce: Medieval Street Plan and Heritage

If you are looking for a hotel in Fordyce, the town’s history provides a concrete point of reference when choosing a destination. Fordyce combines a medieval street plan with an old church and its graveyard, Fordyce Castle, historic tombs and joinery. Its history spans everything from the medieval layout of the town to buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries; many tools and machines remained in use until the 1970s. This makes it possible to explore architectural history, ecclesiastical monuments and craftsmanship as distinct themes.

Townscape and medieval layout

Fordyce has medieval origins, and some of its streets follow a medieval layout. Its winding streets and green spaces can be explored on foot. The surviving buildings also form part of the historic townscape: most of the houses and public buildings recorded on early Ordnance Survey maps of Fordyce have been preserved and are listed as Category B or C buildings. The maps provide a chronological reference for these buildings, while the medieval layout describes the course of some of the streets. Together, they show two distinct aspects of the town’s history: its surviving buildings and the arrangement of its streets.

Church, aisles and tombs

The old church and graveyard of Fordyce form the designated Scheduled Monument SM352. The Abercromby and Glassaugh Aisle at Old Fordyce Church is a tall, detached burial chapel dating from the late 17th century. St Mary's Aisle is near the tower of Old Fordyce Church and has no roof. Two named tombs add to this architectural history: the Birkenbog Tomb at Old Fordyce Church dates from 1505, and the Findlater and Boyne Tomb there dates from 1510. The tombs therefore date to the early 16th century and can be distinguished from the later burial chapel.

Fordyce Castle and its building phases

Fordyce Castle was built in 1592 by Thomas Menzies, Laird of Durn and former Provost of Aberdeen. Its core is a typical three-storey, L-shaped tower house from the 16th century. The L-shape describes its floor plan, while the three storeys describe the height of the core building. The west wing was added around 1700. The Castle therefore presents a 16th-century core alongside a later extension dated approximately to 1700—a clear reference point for distinguishing its different building phases.

Joinery at the Joiners Workshop

The Fordyce Joiners' Workshop Museum has three areas: a museum with a collection of tools, a garden and a workshop. The Fordyce Joiners Workshop displays joinery tools and workshop machinery used for craftwork; many of them remained in use until the 1970s. Alongside the collection, the workshop is a distinct part of the facility. The tools and machines on display offer a concrete insight into craftwork, while the garden, museum and workshop make up its three separate areas. The completed community and visitor facility opened to the public in spring 1993.

A Hogmanay custom passed down through generations

Another historical facet is a local Hogmanay custom. The Mortar Stane was carried, accompanied by music, to the home of a girl chosen for the occasion. It was believed that the custom would help her find a husband. This tradition adds a local perspective on custom and marriage to the history of architecture and craftsmanship.

Discover more destinations: Chapel Of Garioch, Portlethen, Mintlaw, Huntly, Johnshaven, Port Elphinstone, Monymusk, Insch

For the broader travel guide: Aberdeenshire.