Rathen, birthplace of Frederick Stewart

This time last year there was cherry blossom overhanging  St Etheran's Kirkyard dyke, the daffodils on the bank on the left were in full flower and the lane over Gallows Hill had violets in bloom. This year the daffodils are scarcely in bud and the lane is white with snow.A farmer was busy attending to his new lambs, using a quad bike and trailer to take some back to the shelter of the yard.


This cottage small cottage next to St Etheran's Kirkyard was originally Rathen parish school. It was attended by Frederick Stewart, (1836-1889) son of a Rathen tailor who eventually went on to reform the education system in Hong Kong. 

George Halket, author of the poem, later set to music, Logie o' Buchan was for a time school master, precentor and session clerk at Rathen. Halket was a suspected Jacobite sympathiser who in 1715, is recorded, as being required to give security to guarantee his  future loyal behaviour.

Frederick Stewart and his siblings walked to Rathen School along a this lane. they must have looked at this view, minus the telegraph poles and wind turbines of course, towards  Mormond Hill.