Dunnottar is a parish on the coast of Kincardineshire. It is bounded on the east by the German Ocean (North Sea), and on other sides by the parishes of Fetteresso, Glenbervie, and Kinneff. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Bourtree-Bush, Crawton, Criggie, Dunnottar, Gallowton, Stonehaven
Auquhirie
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The church of Dunnottar belonged to the Priory of St Andrews. The ancient church stood near Dunnottar Castle. Its was dedicated to St Ninian. The later church of St Bride, on the present site, was a rebuilding of an early chapel of St Bride. Within this parish, at Stonehaven, there is now a mission chapel of St Bride.
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
(1928: Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, by Hew Scott, D. D.)
Parish registers turned over to the Registrar-General, as a result of the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (Scotland) Act of 1854. The letters B. D. and M. indicate Births (or Baptisms), Deaths (or Burials), and Marriages (or Proclamations of Banns) respectively. Numbers indicate separate volumes or books. Note: These records are by no means complete or without damage; consult the Detailed List of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland (1872) to learn more about the condition of the records.
| OPR and RD Numbers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date Range | Name | Number | Type |
| 1672-1854 | Dunnottar | 255 | OPR |
| 1855-1934 | Dunnottar | 255 | RD |
| 1935-1971 | Stonehaven | 255 | RD |
| 1972-2000 | Stonehaven | 342 | RD |
| 2001-2007 | Stonehaven and East Kincardine | 342 | RD |
| 2009 | Aberdeenshire, Stonehaven and East Kincardine | 342 | RD |
| 2026 | Aberdeenshire Council; Catterline, Kinneff and Dunnottar Community Council | ||
(2009: Parishes and Registration Districts of Scotland - Old and New, National Records of Scotland)
Local community councils (2026) are provided as a potential source of additional information for settlements within the original boundaries of the parish. (Source)
Statistics from informal and official censuses
Adam, Christie, Craig, Duncan, Lees, Leiper, Main, Mason, Taylor, Wood
Note: Names appearing in research materials, other than censuses. Simple names (First name, surname only) have been omitted unless they appear associated with large properties. All women's names, and men's names with occupations, military ranks, or peerage titles are included.
By the Reverend Mr James Walker, Minister.
"In 1792 the population of this parish was 1962; 1072 in the town, and 890 in the country. It appears that the number has been almost stationary for the last 20 years, with only a small addition in the town, of late, owing to the establishment of the new manufactures, and a trifling decrease in the country, from the expulsion of cottagers by the farmers.
The style of living here is much above what might be supposed in so small a town, possessed of so little trade. But it is much to be regretted, that among the tradesmen, and lower sort of people, the practice of drinking spirits is much too prevalent, to the ruin of their morals, health and circumstances.
The labouring people in the country, in general, are very sober and industrious. Those in the town, are of the same character as in other towns along this coast. In general, the character of charity may with great justice be ascribed to the body of the people here; so that no subject of distress can be long without relief voluntarily offered."
(This section contains excerpts, at times restructured or paraphrased, from an article appearing in Statistical Account of Scotland, Sir John Sinclair, 1791-1799)
Primary Sources:
Statistical Account of Scotland (1791-1799), Volume 11, p. 214
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 11, Section II, p. 212
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
