James Mitchell Memorial

Image: © Ralph Greig Taken: 30 Sep 2023

In 1840ish travel to and from Kemnay to Aberdeen was by Stage-Coach called ‘The Banks of Don’ which travelled between Inverurie and Aberdeen. To catch the Stage-Coach you had to walk the Four miles to get to the Inverurie – Aberdeen road. The road from Kemnay did not follow the route of today, but went from the Pleasure Park up past Leschangie rejoining the road of today at Cotton about two miles west of Kemnay. In these early days Parcels and Goods were delivered to Kemnay by a Local Carrier James Mitchell who could have been seen setting off early in the morning, winding his way round past Leschangie and slowly making his way up the Tyrebagger Hill on his way to Aberdeen. He would make his way back later in the day laden with goods bound for Kemnay and the surrounding area. James Mitchell could neither read nor write, but he had a good memory and with the careful placing of goods on his cart could deliver them in the most part without error. He also delivered fresh water from a stream that used to run from the drinking fountain on the statue. Sadly it has now been disconnected. James Mitchell was characteristically dressed in Cord Knee length Britches, Broad Blue Hat and Knee length Boots.. The Memorial was erected in 1936 at the West end of Kemnay on the B993 Kintore to Tillyfourie (Alford) road.

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