Royal
Deeside &The Mearns - Gateway to Grampian Country
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The
town that vanished was once the key to this area.This
was the Royal burgh of Kincardine, once capital of
the Mearns and now barely a speck on the map. It is
remembered nowadays only by its last relic,the Mercat
Cross, removed many years ago and transported to stand
mute in the square in nearby Fettercairn.The word
"Mearns"applies to the old county of Kincardineshire.
Nowadays Stonehaven takes the title as Capital of
the Mearns,though Laurencekirk 15 miles south might
hotly dispute that. |
History
and geography dictate that present-day entry into east Grampian
is funnelled through three points. Most challenging of them
is by the historic Cairn O' Mount - where if you've the time,we
provide the inclination.
From
Fettercairn,home to a famous single-malt distillery,take the
precipitous B974 to Cairn O'Mount, a 1500-foot summit with
an inspiring view over historic Kincardineshire.
Some
might say that this testing gradient is not for the faint-hearted,but
the attraction of this old road north lies in the visitor
slipping in to Royal Deeside by a delightful back door.
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