Blair Collection > Place names in Strathbogie, with notes historical, antiquarian and descriptive

Rhynie. 27 1
Essachie, the principal stream in this glen, is
occasionally very rapid in its course, contrasting
strongly with the slow winding Bogie of the
neighbouring Strath. EasacJi is the adjective
form, meaning ' abounding in waterfalls or
rapids,' and it is fairly descriptive of the stream.
The name Essie occurs also in the counties of
Forfar, Moray, and Inverness. The Essachie
is supposed to extend from the Bogie to Temp-
land, it then becomes for a short distance the
Burn of Essie, further on the Burn of Balhinnie,
and what it is beyond no one very well knows.
I have no doubt Essachie was originally the
name of the stream from its source to its junction
with the Bogie.
Rhynie and Essie were closely associated
ecclesiastically from a very early period, appear-
ing in the records of the Diocese (Moray) gener-
ally as one charge, though occasionally as two.
In 1227, in the agreement between the Bishop
and David of Strathbogie, Essy and Rynyn are
mentioned as separate churches, with their re-
spective church-lands. In the Taxations of
Benefices in 1350, the vicar of Ryny and the par-
son of Essy are entered separately. About 1400
Ryne and Essy are conjoined. From 1536 to
1544 'William Gordoun, parson of Essey,' appears
as a witness to legal documents. This, however,
may be William Gordon, at that time Treasurer
of Moray, and parson of Essie or Essil, now