Glen Nochty – One-Place Study – Belnaboddach

Glen Nochty – One-Place Study – Belnaboddach

Belnaboddach is now a beautiful ruin perched above the river Nochty. It is an atmospheric site with lots of meaning for Allanachs and descendants as this would have been the last place Allanachs farmed in the Glen in the early 20th century. The site has a far longer history though, as the numerous documents attest to. As with other farms in the glen, the site has a strong association with the Forbes family.

View of site

This 30 second clip should give you an idea of the sites and sounds standing looking towards the site, and hopefully give you a sense of what it is like to be there if you are unable to visit.

The short clip below also catches the scene with an oystercatcher flying past; their distinctive call is a hallmark of the area.

Meaning of name

The name ‘Belnaboddach’ is an anglicisation of the Gaelic ‘baile nam bodach’. This literally means village of the old men but in local dialect would have meant ‘village of the ghosts. This is particularly apt given Belnaboddach is likely the last place Allanachs farmed in the glen (though other Allanachs continue to reside in the glen into the 1940s) and also one of the last place Gaelic was spoken in the glen, along with neighbouring Blairnamuick.

Aerial Drone footage

Aerial view of the Belnaboddach site (4k available in settings options)

Archaeological notes from Canmore

75766 – Farmhouse (Period Unassigned), Farmstead (Period Unassigned), House (Period Unassigned), Rig And Furrow (Medieval)

“The remains of Belnabadoch farmsteading are situated on a terrace on the W bank of the Water of Nochty and it was occupied into the 20th century (OS 6-inch map, Aberdeenshire, 2nd edition, 1903, sheet lx).

The farmhouse (NJ 3423 1390) lies on the E side of the steading and now comprises a two-phase L-shaped shell in which a two-storey NE wing has been added to an earlier two-storey block. Although both buildings are roofless and devoid of internal timbering, each survives to chimney height. The earlier block has an entrance on the SE, opposite a tall stair-light in the NW wall, and there are fireplaces at ground- and first-floor level in both gables. A doorway in the SE part of the NE gable gives entry to the NE wing, which has a front entrance midway along the NE side, but in other respects is very similar to the earlier block. The garden is situated about 20m to the SW of the house and is enclosed by a low stony bank through which a number of mature deciduous trees have grown.

Immediately to the N of the garden enclosure are the low stone footings of a long range. It measures 34m from WNW to ESE by 5.3m transversely overall, but both the 1st (Aberdeenshire, sheet lx, 1869) and 2nd editions of the OS 6-inch map show that it was once longer. Now comprising at least four compartments, the range appears to have been truncated at its WNW end. Immediately to the SW of the present WNW end of the range there are the disturbed footings of a small building measuring about 4m square overall.

To the N of the range lie the remains of a threshing barn, measuring 22m in length from E to W by 6m transversely over mortar-bonded stone walls; these stand up to 4m high on the N but are reduced to mere footings on the S. A wheel-pit is situated at the W end of the N wall and was fed from a dammed pond, which is situated immediately to the W, and was itself fed via a long lade more than 1.1km in length. At the E end of the barn there are the footings of a substantial outshot.

A fifth building, constructed after 1869, is situated immediately S of the mill-pond. It measures 14.5m from NNE to SSW by 5.7m over a mortared wall up to 3m high on the SSW, and there is at least one entrance in the ESE side.

Immediately to the SW of the steading, in a triangular area of ground bordered on the N and E by two tracks to the steading and on the SW by the main track up the W side of the valley, there are the remains of cultivation ridges; aligned roughly N and S, they measure about 4m in average breadth.

Visited by RCAHMS (JRS, ATW) 4 March 1998.

Documentary record [unspecified] for the site of a manor.

NMRS, MS/712/43.

Walter Macfarlane lists a gentleman’s house at Belnabodach in the early 18th century, of which no trace remains (Macfarlane, 1906-8, i, 20).

Information from RCAHMS (PJD) 16 June 2006

Macfarlane, 1906-8”

1658 – Ancestral link to House of Forbes

The below is taken from David Walker’s work on Glen Nochty. It shows how a Forbes carried the name ‘Belnabaddoch’ in his title. William Forbes was the son of John Forbes, 1st Laird of Ledmacoy, and Kathren Steuart.

FORBES, William of Belnabodach
Born: About 1658
Marriage (1): STEUART, Mary of Lesmurdie about 1681
Marriage (2): FORBES, Isabel of Edenglassie on 6 June 1693 in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Marriage (3): FORBES, Agnes of Newe on 19 August 1697 in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
“William Forbes who inherited Belnabodach
m (1) in 1681 [GD1/404/6] Mary Stewart second daughter of James Stewart of Lesmurdie
( daughters Agnes 1682 and Isobel 1684)
m (2) in 1693 Isabel Forbes of Edinglassie (sons John and Joseph – John m 7 Nov 1706 Janet Robertson daughter of the Minister of Strathdon and inherited Belnabodach in 1711: their son William became Minister of Towie)
m (3) in 1697 [GD1/404/7] Agnes Forbes youngest daughter of William Forbes of Newe
(sons Nathaniel of Auchernach, William of Corriebreck (Note 2), George of Culquhonny and Hugh d 1769)”

Note:
1) If John Forbes was the son of William and Isabel as mentioned in (2) above, then he may have been born out of wedlock since the couple married, as above, in 1693. The marriage would then legitimise him.
2)William Forbes as Minister of Towie, as mentioned above, has not been found. 1

William married Mary STEUART of Lesmurdie, daughter of James STEUART 3rd Laird of Lesmurdie and Margaret DUFF, about 1681.1 (Mary STEUART of Lesmurdie was born about 1669.)

William next married Isabel FORBES of Edenglassie on 6 June 1693 in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. (Isabel FORBES of Edenglassie was born about 1670.)

William next married Agnes FORBES of Newe, daughter of William FORBES 5th Laird of Newe and Helen FORBES, on 19 August 1697 in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. (Agnes FORBES of Newe was born about 1670.)

Marriage Notes:
Old Parish Register
Strathdon Parish Aberdeenshire
Marriages 1697

“(July) 24 – The sd day William forbes of Belnabodach and Agnas forbes youngest lawfull daughter to William forbes of [New] gave up ther names to be proclaimed in order to ther mariage. Married August 19”
Spouses/Children:
1. STEUART, Mary of Lesmurdie
FORBES, Agnas
FORBES, Isobell+
2. FORBES, Isabel of Edenglassie
FORBES, John in Belnabodach
FORBES, Jean
3. FORBES, Agnes of Newe
FORBES, Nathanael of Auchernach
FORBES, William of Corriebreck
FORBES, George of Culquhonny
FORBES, Hugh

1674 – Tax Roll

An extract of the valued rent of lands lying in the Shires of Aberdeen from 1674 (Land tax roll) shows Belnaboddach being valued at £50.11.6

1696 – Tax Roll

In the 1696 Poll Book the residents at Belnaboddach were:

” WILLIAM FORBES of Belnaboddach

His particular valuatione within the parioch of Invernochtie is £50. 7. 6
The hundreth pairt wherof is £0 10 0 Nota
The forsaid hundreth pairt is not divyded amongst the tennents in the poll list given up but the heritor is to pay the same in a soume.

Belnaboddach his owne particular poll is £4 and of generall poll 6s inde both is £4 6 0

Item his wyfe (Agnes, baptised 16th September, 1674 ; married, 19th August,

1697, ) together with his two children John and Issobell Forbesses payes of generall poll each of them 6s in all is £0 18 0

Item John Roger his servant his fee £10 per annum fortieth part whereof is 5s and generall poll 6s inde both is £0 11 0
Item Charles Shaw also his servant his fee £8 per annum fortieth pairt whereof is 4s and generall poll 6s inde both is £0 10 0
Item Mary M Cadie his servant lass her fee £4 per annum fortieth pairt whereof is 2s and generall poll 6s inde both is £0 8 0
Item James Cattanach tennent and his wyfe their generall poll is £0 12 0
Item John Gillenders tennent and his wyfe their generall poll is £0 12 0
Item William Simer tennent and his wyfe their generall poll is £0 12 0
Item Alester Wattle tennent and his wyfe their generall poll is £0 12 0
Item John Forbes tennent and his wyfe their generall poll is £0 12 0
£9 13 0″

1715 – Book Entry

‘Jacobites of 1715 North East Scotland’ by Frances McDonnel names John Forbes of Belnabodach as an active Jacobite.

1747 – Roys Military Map

Roys Military map mentions Belnaboddach as ‘Balnalodoch’. Its positioning, however, does not seem to align to its present position. There is an extended discussion on the Glenbuchat heritage site, as to whether a second site, ‘a Gentleman’s house’, existed as part of the wider farm.

1754 – Tax Roll

An extract of the valued rent of lands lying in the Shires of Aberdeen from May 1754 (Land tax roll) shows Belnaboddach being valued at £52 10s 10d

1801 – Newspaper Advert

Newspaper advert inviting people to bid for a lease of the farm

1801 – Newspaper Articles

Death of Peter Farquharson at Belnaboddach

1808 – Tax

According to the property tax records for Strathdon in 1808, James Farquharson of Belnaboddach paid 18s.

1841 – Census

The 1841 census states the following individuals as resident in Belnaboddach

George Farquharson – 35 – Farmer
Hellen Farquharson – 25
Francis Farquharson – 4
Baby Farquharson (male) – 1 month
Betty Stuart – 30 – Female Servant
Jean Farquharson – 15 – Female Servant
Helen Beattie – 15 – Female Servant
John Horn – 35 – Male Servant
Peter Glennie – 30 – Male Servant
Will McHandy – 20 – Male Servant
Peter Cameron = 15 – Male Servant
Will Coutts – 15 – Male Servant
George Grassick – 12 – Male Servant
James Kerr – 1 week

1843 – Map

Belnaboddach is featured on the first OS map

1849 – Newspaper Article

Details of a ploughing match held at Belnaboddach on 16th March 1849.

1851 – Census

The 1851 census states the following individuals as resident in Belnaboddach:

Hellen Farquharson – 38 – Head (widow) – Farmer of 100 acres – POB Strathdon
Charles Forbes – 36 – Farm Servant – POB Tarland
John Beattie – 21 – Farm Servant – POB Strathdon
Alex Farquharson – 17 – Farm Servant – Strathdon
Alex Cameron – 14 – Servant/ Scholar – Diuthal, Aberdeenshire
Ann Stewart – 20 – House Servant – Strathdon
Jessie Clark – 14 – House Servant – Diuthal, Aberdeenshire

1853 – Newspaper Advert

A surplus stock sale was held at Belnaboddach on 30th May 1853

1859 – Newspaper letter

Angry letter from John Farquharson in Glenbucket confirming that in his opinion the Farquharsons of Belnaboddach should not be buried in the burial ground of Allargue within the Church of Strathdon. Warning – this article contains language which some may find offensive.

1861 – Census

The 1861 census states the following individuals as resident in Belnaboddach:

Francis Farquharson- 23 – Head, Farmer of 100 acres – POB Tornatoul, Banffshire
James Forbes – 45 – Servant, Farm Overseer – POB Strathdon
Charles McHardy – 25 – Servant, Ploughman – POB Kirkmichael, Banffshire
Alexander Grant – 21 – Servant, Ploughman – POB Tarland
Elizabeth Duncan – 40 – Servant , Housekeeper – POB Towie
Hellen Smith – 17 – Servant, Domestic – POB Strathdon

1865 – Newspaper Article

An article carried across Britain mentions a furious battle between an adder and a cat.

1871 – Census

The 1871 census states the following individuals as resident in Belnaboddach:

Francis Farquharson- 33 – Head, Farmer of 205 acres of which 105 arable – POB Kirkmichael, Banffshire
Helen Michie – 58 – Mother, housekeeper – POB Duthiel, Inverness-shire
Margaret Michie – 13 – Sister, scholar – POB Strathdon
Alexander Allanach – 40 – Farm Overseer – POB Glenbucket
James Farquharson- 20 – Farm Servant- POB Glenbucket
Alexander Meldrum – 20 – Farm Servant – POB Duthiel, Morayshire
Charles Reid – 16 – Cattleman – POB Glenbucket
Mary Allan – 19 – Domestic Servant – POB Auchindver

1875 – Newspaper Article

The estate to which the Belnaboddach farm belongs is put up for sale.

1875 – Newspaper Advert

Tenders are requested to cut and lay drains.

1881 – Census

The 1881 census states the following individuals as resident in Belnaboddach:

Francis Farquharson – 43 – Head – Proprietor (458 Ac Farms 165 Arable Emp 4 Men & 2 Women) – POB Kirkmichael, Banff
Alexander Allanach – 51 – Farm Overseer – POB Glenbucket
William Cumming – 40 – Farm Servant – POB Old Machar
James Gibbon – 19 – Farm Servant – POB Towie
John Barron – 16 – Cattleman, Servant = POB Strathdon
William Allanach – 16 – Visitor, Scholar – POB Glenbucket
Isabella Archibald – 44 – Housekeeper – POB Auchindoir, Aberdeen
Helen Robertson – 28 – Visitor, Servant – POB Auchindoir, Aberdeen
Margaret Wilson – 16 – Servant – Strathdon

1881 – Mention in book

‘Wanderings in the Highlands of Banff and Aberdeen Shires, with trifles in verse’ by J Philips details a visit to Belnaboddach.

“…On we went, as hard as we could walk, until we reached Bellabeg, where we turned up Glen Nochty on our way home. About a mile up the Glen and we reached Belnabodach, an estate belonging to my friend Francis Farquharson, Esq. We called on Mr Farquharson, and were received with true Highland hospitality. During our conversation, Mr Farquharson favoured us with some account of the Clan Farquharson, and of the connection which his family had with that once powerful Highland sept. He is descended from the leading branch of the family of Invercauld, and his fathers settled in Strathdon about a century ago. They were a warlike race, as most Highlanders were, and loved the sound of the bugle better than the rush of their native river. That is the reason why so many of his relations have been soldiers, and the present proprietor of Belnabodach inherited a portion of his sires’ enthusiasm, and also entered the army, but sold out after a time, and now occupies his spare hours in reading collections from his well-filled library.

Leaving the house of Belnabodach, we walked over the cultivated part of the estate, in company with Mr Farquharson. It carries an admirable stock of cross cattle. The estate is of about 458 acres, half cultivated, and half in rich pasture. The situation is pleasant, on the south side of the Nochty. From the house a beautiful view of Strathdon is obtained. On the opposite side of the Nochty is Invernettie, now become the property of the Rev. Mr Watt, minister of Strathdon. Torrincroy, away on a height above Invernettie, also belongs to that gentleman, who bought it from the Earl of Fife a few years ago.’……

…….Soon we came in sight of Castle Newe, the beautiful seat of Sir Chas. Forbes, Bart. We were very much disappointed that the light did not linger a little longer, so that our companion, Mr Smith, might view the beauties of this princely mansion, but it could not be. We could only dimly trace its outlines through the gathering gloom and the trees. Reluctantly, therefore, we turned our backs upon it, and continued our journey up Strathdon until we reached Belnaboddach, where we were to spend the night with Mr Farquharson.

Next morning dawned clear and bright, and we sallied forth, just as the sun had arisen above the eastern hills, to have a look at the surrounding country. Our first walk was along the southern side of the estate of Belnaboddach, where we noted some of the improvements Mr Farquharson had lately made, and marked the advancement of former ones since we last visited the district. Returning along the northern side of the estate, we talked of the present depressed state of agriculture, and the relative effect which it had on landlord and tenant. Such a theme could not be otherwise than interesting when we looked around and saw the lateness of every kind of crop. After breakfast, we ascended the highest hill in the neighbourhood, and had a beautiful view of Strathdon and the Deeside hills, conspicuous among which were Lochnagar and Morven, names which Byron has rendered immortal. Looking further westward, we could see the dark masses of the Grampians looming directly before us, capped with eternal snow, while at our feet lay the fine wooded hills of Strathdon, with patches of cultivation along the banks of the river. Further down and the tall spire of the Parish Church divided attention with the more distant Castle Newe.

Descending again to Belnaboddach, we dined, and started on our homeward march, Mr Farquharson accompanying us a considerable distance on our way, in fact, nearly half-way to Glenlivet, where, bidding him good- bye, we hurried forward, so as to pass the treacherous swamps of Monsack ere night would settle down. We at length reached the top of the Ladder, and were soon descending its steep breast into the Braes of Glenlivet.”

1886 – Newspaper Article

This extraordinary breach of contract case raised by the Housekeeper Isabella Archibald in 1886 reached the newspapers as far away as Australia. It raised eyebrows in that her claim was for a breach of promise of marriage made 30 years previously in 1855 by James Giles in Ardair. There was a spate of slander and other cases in the Glen at the same time and I cannot but wonder if a rogue lawyer set up shop in the glen!

1891 – Census

The 1891 census states the following individuals as resident in Belnaboddach:

Francis Farquharson – 58 – Head – Landed proprietor & farmer – POB Kirkmichael, Banffshire
Alexander Allanach – 61 – Farm Servant – POB Glenbucket
William Johnstone – 23 – Farm Servant – POB Glenbucket
William Stewart – 14 – Farm Servant – POB Strathdon
Isabella Archibald – 54 – Domestic Servant – POB Auchindoir
Eliza Ferguson – 16 – Domestic Servant – POB Auchindoir

1901 – Census

The 1901 census states the following individuals as resident in Belnaboddach:

Alexander Allanach – 71 – Farm Manager – POB Glenbucket
Isabella Archibald – 68 – Housekeeper – POB Auchindoir
Annie Anderson – 15 – Domestic Servant – POB Strathdon
James Stuart – 16 – Cattleman – POB Strathdon

1910 – Death of Alex Allanach

Alex Allanach, farm overseer at Belnaboddach, dies in August 1910. Although a new family moves in after his death, there seems to be no record of them after the 1911 census , implying the farm quickly fell into decline after his death.

1911 – Census

The 1911 census states the following individuals as resident in Belnaboddach:

Francis Farquharson – 41 – Head, Farmer – POB New Zealand
Ethel Farquharson – 38 – Wife – POB Tasmania
James Farquharson – 7 – Son – POB New Zealand
Hester Farquharson – 4 – Daughter – POB New Zealand
Helen George – 39 – Domestic Servant – POB Strathdon

1921 – Census

No mention is made of Belnaboddach and it has presumably been largely abandoned by this time. There are further ad hoc mentions are made into the 1920s on the electoral roll – my guess is this was a shepherd working on a seasonal basis.

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