Community & Local Government
Community Council
Community Councils were set up in 1976 as a mouthpiece for local views. However, as all over Scotland, the local one never attracted public interest and fell into abeyance in 2009. But it had two achievements worth recording – obtaining a coat of arms and a major restoration of the Jubilee Fountain.
Coat Of Arms
In 1998 Robert Bremner, last of the fourteen Provosts of Aberchirder, discovered that the former burgh had no coat of arms so the Community Council, guided by heraldic experts, produced a design for one, incorporating three of the key periods in Aberchirder’s history.
The Letters Patent which were presented to the Community Council describe the arms in heraldic terms as:
Tierced in pairle reversed; 1st Or, two croziers in saltire Azure; 2nd Azure, a boar’s head couped Or; and 3rd Argent, a cross pattee Azure.
The croziers represent St Marnan, the Celtic missionary who founded the parish of Marnoch in the 7th Century
The boar’s head represents Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul, who founded the town in 1764
The cross pattee was used on the burgh seal of the Town Council which existed from 18980 until 1975.
The motto Aye Foggieloan recalls the original name given to Alexander Gordon’s planned village.
Foggie Arms
The formal presentation provided the opportunity for a celebration, which took place in September 1999 when a parade of local groups, headed by Turriff Pipe Band and a detachment of Lonach Highlanders, marched to the Square. Here Ross Herald presented the arms to Community Council Chairman Leslie Chalmers in the presence of Lord Lyon, Sir Malcom Innes of Edingight, and after a heraldic flag was broken the salute was taken by James McPherson, Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire. Since then the coat arms has appeared on a variety of signs and publications, while the flag is flown on special occasions.
Pipe Band
Lonach Men
Local Groups
Spectators
Acceptance
Platform Party
Jubilee Fountain
A community consultation in 2006 had shown a strong feeling that the Square was in much need of a facelift. In view of this the Community Council in 2007 arranged for a renovation of the Jubilee Fountain.
