Local History Archives

One of the most important activities undertaken as part of the Bennachie Landscapes Project is looking at historic written sources for information about the Colony. The Special Collections Library of the University of Aberdeen has been a very useful source of research materials and guidance on how best to use this evidence. Another important resource that we are investigating is the Bailies of Bennachie library located in the Bennachie Centre. We are drawing from both of these collections to address specific questions about the Colony relating to:

What relationships the colonists had with the surrounding farming populations
What relationships they had with the surrounding Parish authorities
What methods they used to construct their buildings and arrange their fields. Did they conform to 19th Century ‘Improvement ideals’ or did they retail traditional techniques?
Are there other groups of people moving onto commonty (common land) during this period
The reasons for the origins and eventual demise of the Colony
What crops and garden plants they grew. Did they use any herbs or other plants for medicinal purposes?

The Archives Group brings together a group of people who have been carrying out research on Bennachie, mainly using the resources of the University of Aberdeen's Special Collections Centre. To help them co-ordinate their investigations, they meet regularly and share resources and ideas on an intranet known as "MyAberdeen". Members of the group are working on a variety of topics which will be individually published in a variety of publications and which contribute to the outreach activities, such as the exhibition, organised by the Bailies and its Bennachie Landscapes Project. New members are always welcome to join the archives group.

Note: "My Aberdeen" is provided by the University of Aberdeen as part of its partnership with the Bennachie Landscapes Project. As a virtual shared desk space, access is restricted to members of the Archives Group, letting them share copyright restricted material, working papers and tentative ideas.

Please see more details on our Bennachie Landscapes Project section.

Please also see our other Projects information.