New Deer

New Deer is a settlement in Aberdeenshire, North East Scotland, which lies in the valley of Deer. It is located at the junction of several roads crossing through the Howe of Buchan. It was founded after monks from Deer Abbey, Old Deer, built a chapel at Auchreddie, which translates as "field of the bog myrtle", and lies clustered on both sides of the slope of a tributary of South Ugie Water. Around 1507 the register of Deer Abbey lists its lands in the "new paroche of Deir". The name Auchreddie has dropped in significance over the years; however, the southern end of the village is still known by this name. In 1805, New Deer was extended to the north by the third James Ferguson of Pitfour (1735–1820), the elder brother of Patrick Ferguson. Also involved were the Gordons of Cairnbanno, who were seeking to improve the old community of Auchreddie. Attractions Churches There are three churches in the village, only one of which (St Kane's) still functions as a religious establishment; it belongs to the Church of Scotland. The former St Kane's Church was built in 1622. Virtually nothing of it survives, except for a stone built into the wall of the Session House. Only the offices and the 1828 sundial survive of the manse. Their website has updates on activities, including a link to Malawi. One is now used as a gym hall of the primary school and the other has been built into flats. In 2014, Mintlaw Community Church, as part of an outreach to the community, started to hold a weekly Sunday Morning Service in former church building in Main Street.