Fordyce – medieval roots and a history of craftsmanship

Fordyce combines a village landscape shaped by the medieval period with tangible traces of craftsmanship and church history. Some streets follow a medieval layout; winding streets and green spaces can be explored on foot. The Fordyce Joiners' Workshop Museum, the old church and its graveyard, and Fordyce Castle offer different perspectives on the village.

A village landscape shaped by the medieval period

Fordyce has medieval origins, and some of its streets follow a medieval layout. The village’s development is therefore evident not only in individual buildings but also in the course of its streets. Winding streets and green spaces can be explored on foot; visitors to Fordyce can take in the village itself and connect its routes with its historic buildings.

The houses and public buildings also tell a story of the village’s long history: most of the buildings recorded on early Ordnance Survey maps have been preserved and are listed as Category B or C buildings. Together with the medieval layout, they provide several tangible points of reference for exploring Fordyce’s built history.

Tools and workshop history

The Fordyce Joiners' Workshop Museum comprises three areas: a museum with a collection of tools, a garden and a workshop. On display are joinery tools and workshop machinery used for craftwork; many remained in use until the 1970s. The collection, garden and workshop each highlight different aspects of the craft.

The community and visitor facility opened to the public in spring 1993. This is a historic milestone for the museum, but does not indicate its current opening hours. If you are planning a museum visit, please check the current visitor arrangements in advance.

Church, chapels and grave monuments

The old church and graveyard in Fordyce are jointly designated as Scheduled Monument SM352. At Old Fordyce Church, the Abercromby and Glassaugh Aisle is a tall, freestanding burial chapel dating from the late 17th century. St Mary's Aisle stands near the church tower and has no roof. The two aisles therefore differ in their form and appearance.

The grave monuments also bear specific dates: the Birkenbog Tomb in Old Fordyce Church dates from 1505, and the Findlater and Boyne Tomb from 1510. Those interested in architecture and funerary art can compare these dates with the chapel’s construction period to distinguish different periods of local history.

Fordyce Castle and local tradition

Fordyce Castle was built in 1592 by Thomas Menzies, Laird of Durn and former Provost of Aberdeen. Its core is a typical three-storey, L-plan tower house from the 16th century. The west wing was added around 1700. The building thus reveals an older core and a later extension as distinct phases of construction.

A historical tradition tells how, at Hogmanay, the Mortar Stane was brought to the house of a chosen girl with musical accompaniment, in keeping with a local custom. People believed that this would help her get married. Alongside buildings and craftsmanship, the story introduces local tradition as another way to explore Fordyce.

For families who enjoy discovering history through vivid details, tools, distinctive architectural forms and the Hogmanay tradition offer different conversation starters. When looking for a holiday rental, you can focus on Fordyce if the village landscape, architecture and history of craftsmanship are to shape the character of your stay. You can also consider whether you are more interested in the medieval street layout and church buildings, or in the workshop and local tradition.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Peterculter, Strichen, Stonehaven, Banff, Portlethen, Ballater, Kincardine O'Neil, Newburgh.

Return to the main travel overview: Aberdeenshire.