Collieston 1960 Stories

Holiday Time

A view of Collieston circa 1960. By the 1960’s Collieston had become a popular destination for holidaymakers and day-trippers. In the foreground there is clear evidence that the foreshore is much less rocky than it was at the beginning of the 20th Century and the safe, sandy beach, which has gradually formed over the years since the Pier was constructed in 1894, was a great attraction for residents and tourists alike.

To the rear of the photograph the manse, Slains Parish Church and the old school, now used as the village community centre, are clearly visible. Centre right is the area of the village known as the Cliff and the cottage which can be seen on the far right is the one in which T E Lawrence stayed in 1930. Like many of the other cottages in the village it has been modernised and extended and is now harled and white washed.

Collieston has always been a good location for press photographers to capture some attractive “local colour”.

In this shot from the Press & Journal, Collieston youngsters Norman Moncrieff and Hazel Robertson strike a poetic pose reminiscent of the “Boyhood of Raleigh”.

Shipping on the Ythan Estuary

Until 1965, the Ythan estuary was dredged to allow small coal boats to reach the Mitchell and Rae quay at Newburgh. The small collier (reputedly on its last voyage) is heading seaward past the extensive dune system at the south end of the Forvie Nature Reserve.

A small pilot boat can be seen to port of the collier, whilst to starboard a channel marker pole is visble. The coal that was unloaded at the quay was graded and stored in large bunkers. It was later bagged and delivered by lorry to local communities including Collieston.

By the 1990s the coal merchants had transferred their business to the former brick works at Tipperty.

Coastguards

On December 16, 1966, the m.f.v. ‘Semnos II’ ran aground on a sandbank, in heavy seas, about 500 yards north of the River Ythan. Belhelvie and Collieston Auxiliary Coastguard Companies were alerted and immediately proceeded to the scene of the shipwreck where well-rehearsed rescue procedures were put into operation.

The shield awarded by The Board of Trade for the best wreck service of the year, was jointly awarded to the Auxiliary Coastguard Companies of Belhelvie and Collieston for their part in the successful rescue of the six-man crew. The presentation was held the following year at the New Inn, Ellon.

Aerial View

A general view of Slains Estate in 1964 when it was sold by Sir Ian Walker-Okeover to Sir Richard Sutton Settled Estates. The Estate has a 5-mile frontage to the East Coast of Scotland, immediately north of Newburgh and bounded by the River Ythan Estuary on its southwest side.

Comprising Forty-seven Mixed Farms ranging from 934 Acres to 5 Acres, the Estate also boasts Moorlands, Lochs and Foreshore totalling 1,865 Acres, 6 Cottages and the Sporting Rights over the whole Estate.

Many of the properties in Collieston, clearly visible in the foreground above the coastline, are privately owned but are required to pay Feu Duties to the Estate in respect of small pieces of land sold in past years. Some of the properties are still owned by the Estate and rents, in respect of tenancies, are required to be paid to the Estate.

Education

Pupils of Slains School in 1961. The catchment area of the school at that time was the Parish of Slains, including Auchmacoy, Slains and Collieston. Many of the children from Slains and Auchmacoy came from farming families or from those families who worked on the Auchmacoy Estate.

The Collieston children came from a variety of family backgrounds with many of their parents working in and around Aberdeen. The school building, visible behind the group of children, was demolished in 1968 and replaced by a modern school building.

Pupils of Slains School in 1961. The school had a staff of three full time teachers and some 60-70 pupils whose families were resident in Slains, Auchmacoy and Collieston.

Many of the children belonged to the local farming community, while some of them were the children of families who lived and worked on the nearby Auchmacoy Estate.
The Collieston children came from a variety of family backgrounds with many of their parents working in and around Aberdeen.

The school building, visible behind the group of children, was demolished in 1968 and replaced by a more modern school building.

Old Slains School was demolished in 1968. Clearly visible behind the rubble of the old building is the new school. The land occupied by the old school eventually became a playground for the pupils.

Already fully operational by the time the old school was demolished, the school had a staff of three teachers and some 60-70 pupils whose families were resident in Slains, Auchmacoy and Collieston.

Kirkton Farm

Kirkton Farm and Farm Buildings in 1964. Built of stone, with a slate roof, the farmhouse comprises the following accommodation: - Two sitting rooms, a kitchen, scullery and milk room, four bedrooms, two boxrooms and a bathroom.

Situated a short distance away are the farm buildings comprising a covered cattle court, two cow byres, two barns, a root house, food store and loft, two deep litter chicken houses and an old bothy, now used for general storage purposes.

To the right of Kirkton Farm, Slains Parish Church is clearly visible as is the Glebe, the L-shaped building in the foreground.

Slains Estate

A plan of Slains Estate with an inset plan of Collieston Village in 1964. On Thursday 16th July 1964, the Estate, owned by Sir Ian Walker-Okeover since 1942, was sold by auction at The Station Hotel, Aberdeen to Sir Richard Sutton Settled Estates.

On the Plan each Holding, some 58 in total, is clearly identified by number and size. With a 5-mile frontage to the East Coast of Aberdeenshire, immediately north of Newburgh and bounded by the River Ythan Estuary on its southwest side, Slains Estate comprises approximately 7,574 Acres.

There are Forty-seven Mixed Farms ranging from 934 Acres to 5 Acres, Moorlands, Lochs and Foreshore totalling 1,865 Acres, and 6 Cottages. It is worth noting that only one Holding is located on the inset plan of Collieston Village. ‘Louselaw’, Holding 57, is situated in the centre of the village and was formerly the Dairy.

Slains Parish Church

The minister and elders of Slains Parish Church in 1967. The previous year a law had been passed within the Church of Scotland which permitted women to serve as elders for the first time in its history.

The Rev John Murray, minister of Slains Church from 1947 until his retirement in 1972, was the last minister of the Parish of Slains and the last minister to be resident in Collieston. Soon after his retirement the manse was sold as a private dwelling and the Parish of Slains was united with the nearby Parish of Ellon.

Gala Day

Gala Day circa 1965. The Collieston Amenities Committee, which organises the annual gala, was formed in 1957 with the aim of raising money to finance the maintenance of the Pier as well as the unique system of roadies or paths that run throughout the village.

The first Gala Day to raise money for this conservation task was held in 1958. The Pier was duly repaired and Gala Day has been a feature of village life every summer since.

Weather permitting, stalls are erected in the open air along the Pier and harbour area of the village but, when the weather is inclement, everything has to be conducted under cover of the marquee.