Glenbuchat Heritage

2 Faichla/ Faichlaw

Faichla/ Faichlaw

Introduction to Farquharson Family Story

Click for Farquharson Album

Pictures above

1&2 1850 map of Faichla
3 Modern Map of Faichla
4 1865 Name Book entry for Faichla

Faichla is a cottage in the grounds of Candacraig House Strathdon not very far from the main house. For many years Candacraig was the home of Billy Connelly, the Scottish comedian.

Faichla, (for Lamh Faicille). Hill of a guard. Lamh, hill; faicille, gen. of faicill, guard, watch.

For a number of years Robert Farquharson and his son John and the rest of the family lived there.

Initially Robert was an agricultural labourer in 1841 and a wood sawyer in 1851, by 1861 he had become a Land Steward and Ground officer. As his house was owned by the estate of Maj General Forbes of Inverernan presumably he was also Robert’s employer.

Click for the album of Inverernan

1841 Scotland Census.
Name Robt Farquharson
Age 25 Estimated Birth Year abt 1816
Gender Male
Where born Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Civil parish Towie
County Aberdeenshire
Address Fichlie
Occupation Ag Lab
Household Members
Name Alexr Gordon Age 82
Name James Gordon Age 40
Name Cathrine Gordon Age 40
Name William Gordon Age 40
Name Robt Farquharson Age 25
Name Helen Bettie Age 15
Name Margaret Cruickshank Age 45
Name Jessie Middleton Age 15

1851 Scotland Census
Name Robt Farquharson
Age 39 Estimated Birth Year abt 1812
Relationship Son-in-law
Gender Male
Where born Strathdon, Aberdeenshire
Civil parish Tarland
County Aberdeenshire
Address Faichlie
Occupation Wood Sawyer
Household Members
Name John Allanach Age 74
Name Hellen Farquharson Age 29
Name Robt Farguharson Age 39
Name Elisabeth Farquharson Age 5 Mo

1861 Scotland Census
Name Robert Farquharson
Age 48 Estimated Birth Year abt 1813
Relationship Head
Spouse's Name Hellen Farquharson
Gender Male
Where born Strathdon, Aberdeenshire
Registration district Tarland
Civil parish Tarland County Aberdeenshire
Address Faichla
Occupation Land Steward H Ground Officer
Household Members
Name Robert Farquharson Age 48
Name Hellen Farquharson Age 38
Name Elisabeth Farquharson Age 10
Name Alexr Farquharson Age 8
Name Robert Farquharson Age 5
Name John Farquharson Age 3
Name Charlote F Farquharson Age 1


Robert had two jobs combined into one. In a large estate there would possibly be two people in this role. The Land Steward, overseeing the estate on behalf of the laird and the ground officer being more concerned that the tenants managed the land as required in their contracts.

Land Steward
Traditionally, a land steward was a managerial employee who conducted the business affairs of a large landed estate for a member of the landed gentry, supervising the farming of the property by farm labourers and/or tenants and collecting rents or other payments. In this context a land agent was a relatively privileged position and was a senior member of the estate's staff.

Ground officer
He is 'man on the ground, representing the interest of the Laird or landowner. As well as advising on the resolution of disputes and replacement of tenants etc. he will have kept the crofters up to date with duties such as fencing and drainage.



Click for a Glenbuchat lease of 1765. This indicates the obligations the Tenant had towards his landlord.

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