Topographical dictionary of Scotland > Volume 2

OYNE
OYNE
surrounding the level summit of the hill. On the emi-
nence called Pen'nymuir are the vestiges of a Roman
camp of quadrilateral form, rounded at the angles, and
comprising an area of about thirty acres ; and the Roman
road called Watling-street, leading to the northern parts
of Britain, may be distinctly traced, for about six miles
through the parish, to the camp at Pennymuir. There
are numerous Druidical circles, of which two are tolerably
entire, especially the smaller, sixteen yards in diameter ;
also numerous remains of ancient strongholds and tow-
ers, most probably erected during the times of the border
warfare, as places of security, and for the concealment
of cattle. To the west of one of these, called Henwood,
is a rising ground named Galla-Know, formerly the place
of execution for criminals ; it is now inclosed and planted.
In the heart of a natural amphitheatre, near the Crag
Tower, is an artificial tumulus supposed to have been a
place for dispensing justice. Various relics of antiquity
have been found at different times, and some coins,
among which was a shilling of Robert Bruce.
OYNE, a parish, in the district of Garioch, county
of Aberdeen, 2 miles (S. S. E.) from Old Rain; con-
taining 796 inhabitants. The word Oyne is thought to
be derived from a Celtic term signifying a locality
similar to an island or peninsula, and to have been
applied to this place on account of its rivers apparently
almost encompassing it. The boundary on the south is
formed by the river Don, which separates it from Mony-
musk ; and the Shevock and Ury respectively separate
it, on the north-west from Inscb, and on the north from
Rayne. The latter river is joined on the east, at Chapel
of Garioch, by the small stream Gady. The parish is
of irregular figure, and measures in extreme length six
miles, and three and a half in breadth ; comprising
1 1,000 acres, of which 3200 are under tillage, 450 in
natural grass, furze, and hill pasture, 2000 in wood and
coppice, and the remainder in heath, moss, and outlying
rock. The surface is chiefly distinguished by the lofty
mountain of Benochee, extending from east to west
about five miles, and from north to south about three
and a half, and rising nearly 1400 feet from its base,
and 1677 above the level of the sea. This eminence
takes its name from a Gaelic word meaning the " hill of
paps," in reference to its round protuberances on the
summit, which are six in number, the highest being
called the " mother top ;" it is a royal forest or com-
monty, with certain rights granted by charters to estates
in the vicinity, but is surrounded for three-fourths of
its extent by inhabited houses and cultivated grounds
belonging to this parish. The scenery, embracing so
much diversity of surface, and so large a proportion of
wood, is picturesque and beautiful, and derives additional
interest from its varied and winding streams, of which
the Don, rising in the mountains above Strathdon, and
in its course along the boundary of Oyne affording
excellent salmon and trout-fishing, is joined by the Ury
about six miles eastward, and loses itself in the sea a
little to the north of Old Aberdeen. The Ury, which, as
well as its tributary water, the Gady, is well stocked
with trout, eels, and pike, contributes materially to the
ornamental and lively appearance of the northern por-
tion of the parish.
The soil in general is a rich fertile earth, especially
near the church and along the course of the Gady, where
early crops are usually produced : on the sides of the
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mountain, and towards the south, it is inferior, being
much mixed with rocky or sandy deposits ; but js] still
for the most part of good average quality. The principal
grain raised is oats and bear, the amount being nearly
6000 quarters annually ; and black-cattle, chiefly of the
native breed, also produce a profitable return, about
1200 being usually in stock, and 200 annually sold at
the age of three years. Few sheep comparatively are
kept ; those on the hills are the black-faced, and some
few are fed on the lower grounds of a larger and mixed
breed, principally for the profit of the lambs and wool.
The swine formerly reared, remarkable for' their high
back-bones, long snouts, and strong wiry bristles, have
given place to a very improved short-legged cross from
the continental breeds. The husbandry of the place
participates in all the best usages of the surrounding
districts, and is altogether on a highly respectable foot-
ing ; the old system of in-field and out-field is entirely
exploded, and the rotation of crops has been introduced.
The necessary implements of agriculture are constructed
on the most approved principles ; large tracts of waste
land have been reclaimed and cultivated within the
present century, and most of the farms have the append-
age of a good threshing-mill, driven either by horses or
by water. The prevailing rock is red granite, of which
the craggy tops of the mountain of Benochee consist ;
it also lies over the sides of the hill in large blocks, and
beneath in masses, capable of being cut out to almost
any size, and supplying an excellent material for various
purposes. The stone used in the docks at Sheerness
was quarried from the south side of Benochee, about
twenty years ago. The mountain produces also Scotch
topaz, felspar, and jasper, imbedded in the granite; but
the rocks entirely change towards the northern base,
and whinstone alone is found, of a dark blue colour, and
very compact texture, well adapted for dykes and com-
mon walls. Large beds of peat-moss cover the rocky
tops of the mountain, and the inhabitants of this and
some neighbouring parishes obtain thence a plentiful
supply of good peat fuel ; but coal is also used occa-
sionally, being brought from Newcastle to Aberdeen,
and thence by canal to Port-Elphinstone, -about eight
miles distant. The rateable annual value of the parish
is £3113.
The house of Westhall, in the northern part of Oyne,
is ornamented with beautifully laid-out gardens and
grounds ; and the plantations, made in the 17th century,
contain ash, elm, beech, plane, lime, and holly, some of
them of considerable dimensions. The mansion of Pit-
todrie, which, like the ancient mansion of Westhall, has
lately been enlarged and modernised, is situated on high
ground on the east side of the mountain, bordering on
Chapel of Garioch, and is surrounded with plantations
of larch and other trees, among which are Scotch firs of
the finest kind. The mansion of Tillyfour, on the south
side of Benochee, and once belonging to the earls of
Mar, is an old structure with a slated roof; it is situ-
ated in the vicinity of some extensive coppices of oak
and birch, producing a valuable revenue from their
bark, and in the same part are good plantations of fir.
There are considerable facilities of communication. Two
branches of the turnpike-road fromlnverury pass through
the parish, the one by Pitmachie towards Huntly, and
the other by Insch to the same place; and besides other
coaches, the mail to and from Inverness takes this route.