Garioch

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Across the fields to Inverurie

Garioch, known in Scots as "The Geerie" is a traditional area of Aberdeenshire, centred on Aberdeen itself and stretching inland to the hills at the back of the city.

Outside Aberdeen, this area has a population of some 46,000 souls, but with potential to grow rapidly with the city's expansion. Its name is from the Gaelic language and means 'The Rough Howe', from the Gaelic Garbh iochd.

The Garioch consists primarily of the district drained by the River Ury and its tributaries the Shevock and the Gadie Burn.[1]

The Shevack inscription stone at Newton

The rural parts are centred on Inverurie, a traditional rural market town whose foundation dates back to the 9th century with the establishment of Christianity at Polnar, "The Kirk of Rocharl" - now St Andrew's Parish Church, Inverurie, "The Auld Kirk of Inverurie", the Garioch has also experienced rapid population growth due to its proximity to the city of Aberdeen. The area is largely agricultural, but is strongly affected by Aberdeen's economy and the oil and gas sector. The Garioch holds growing potential for tourism, in its environment and archaeological heritage.

References

  1. Milne, John. 1912. Celtic Place-Names in Aberdeenshire: With a vocabulary of Gaelic words not in dictionaries; the meanings and etymology of the Gaelic names of places in Aberdeenshire