Huntly WalksWalking in and around Huntly, Scotland

One of the greatest writers to come from North East Scotland, George MacDonald is best known as a children’s writer. George MacDonald has influenced many writers including C S Lewis, W H Auden, G K Chesterton and T S Elliot. His fairy tales are famous the world over and his fantasy novels Phanstastes and Lilith established a new kind of writing in English which has had an enormous impact on twentieth century literature.

Several of his best novels are set in and around Huntly. The characters in these books were often based on people he grew up with – many of the scenes and settings he created still exist today.

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The Square, with its graceful eighteenth century buildings is the heart of Huntly and often features in MacDonald’s work. Here many of his vivid characters lived and walked. The Brander Library contains a set of MacDonald’s books and copies of manuscripts. A medallion of MacDonald’s head by the Pre-Raphaelite sculptor Munro hangs on the stairway, Kenny Hunter’s sculpture Where in? – Where at? stands in the foyer and in the Museum stained glass from the Congregational Church bearing MacDonald’s name is on view.  In the Square, the two Stannin’ Stanes referred to in the novel Robert Falconer stand behind the statue of the Duke. These are ancient druidical standing stones carved with ogham letters. The Trustee Savings Bank was formerly Aberdeen Savings Bank brought to Huntly by MacDonald’s grandfather Charles Edward MacDonald. The Gordon Arms Hotel is the Boar’s Head in the Robert Falconer. Down Duke Street, the house where MacDonald was born stands next to the corner house on Church Street and Bogie Street. MacDonald’s birth is mentioned in Robert Falconer.

A little way down Old Road, the former Strathbogie Bakery was once the Congregational Church or “Missionar Kirk”. This was the church MacDonald attended as a boy and preached at many times as an adult on his return visits to Huntly. MacDonald’s college friend Robert Troup was minister here for many years. Troup married MacDonald’s cousin Margaret, more of a sister as she and MacDonald had been brought up in the same house. They lived in the manse which was then in Bogie Street.

Back down Stewart’s Lane,  Strathbogie Chrurch is the site of MacDonald’s school. Crossing Bogie Street, MacDonald Street is named after the MacDonald family and is the site of their thread factory.

Left down Provost Street and right along Gladstone Road, the house called Howglen opposite the park is named after the farm in Alec Forbes of Howglen. This house was built by Robert Troup’s son for his father and blind sister Sophie (hence the name “Howglen” in Braille on the gate). Frank Troup, who designed the house, also designed Huntly’s War Memorial.

The park opposite the house was presented to Huntly by the Troup family and named Glamourhaugh Park. The Glamour was the name given to the Bogie by MacDonald in Alec Forbes in Howglen. The Bogie was where at the MacDonalds conducted their business and this is mentioned in Robert Falconer and Ranald Bannerman’s Boyhood.

Right up Bleachfield Street (a reminder of the bleaching days) and right again along Gordon Street will bring you back to the Square.