The Provosts’ Chain
Although William Auchinachie became Provost of Aberchirder in 1893, he and his successors had no chain of office.
However, as part of plans to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the burgh in 1964, the Town Council decided on the proposal of Treasurer Laurence Gordon to purchase one, which was supplied by Mr Young of Turriff for the sum of £46-10-6 – equivalent to £700 in 2009!
On Sunday 14 June the chain was presented to Provost John Taylor by senior bailie Alexander Watt in a ceremony in the Town Clerk’s office, before the Town Council and local groups led by piper Alex McRobert Grant marched to morning service in New Marnoch Church.
As the photograph shows, only two Provosts’ names are inscribed on the chain and those of the last two – James Shand and Robert Bremner – were never added.
The Chain, which features the Burgh Crest and, oddly, the wording ‘The Commissioners Of The Burgh Of Aberchirder’, is now in the safekeeping of Aberdeenshire Heritage in Mintlaw.
The Chain was supplied by Mr Young of Turriff for the sum of £46-10-6 – equivalent to over £900 in 2018! It features the Burgh Crest and, oddly, the wording ‘The Commissioners Of The Burgh Of Aberchirder’ – the original title of the Town Council – and is now in the safekeeping of Aberdeenshire Heritage in Mintlaw.
As the photograph shows, only two Provosts’ names are inscribed on the chain and those of the last two – James Shand and Robert Bremner – were never added.
On Sunday 14 June the chain was presented to Provost John Taylor by senior bailie Alexander Watt in a ceremony in the Town Clerk’s office, before the Town Council and local groups led by piper Alex McRobert Grant marched to morning service in New Marnoch Church:
From left: Frank Anderson, Alex Watt, Hans Hardie, Laurence Gordon, James Shand, Bobby Coull, John Taylor, Kenny Chisholm, Sandy Stevenson.
(Photograph courtesy of Maisie Duncan, daughter of Alex Watt.)
Provosts’ Chain
