New Deer (Scottish Gaelic: Achadh Reite) is a settlement in Aberdeenshire, North East Scotland that lies in the valley of Deer. It was founded after monks from Deer Abbey, Old Deer built a chapel at Auchreddie, which translates as "field of the bog myrtle". 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.[1]
In 1805 New Deer was extended to the north by the third James Ferguson of Pitfour (1735–1820), the elder brother of Patrick Ferguson.[1]
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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. One is now used as a gym hall of the primary school and the other one is currently being built into flats New Deer (St Kane’s) Primary School sits behind the main church, in the centre of the village.
St Kane’s opened a church centre in 2003, next-door to the church. The building was previously a long-running local general store and accompanying house. The centre includes a café and is used for various community activities.[2]
The public hall, opposite the church centre, is run on a not-for-profit basis and hosts various activities including mother-and-baby groups and exercise classes, as well as being a venue for theatrical productions.
Stands on a hill to the north of the village and commemorates William Dingwall Fordyce. Local Brucklay estate landlord, Fordyce was Aberdeenshire's first MP.[3][4]
The ruins of Fedderate Castle are to be found 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north of the village.
New Deer is currently host to three public houses, The Brucklay Arms on Main street, The Howe (Earl of Aberdeen Arms), situated on Auchreddie Road East and The Royal British Legion, opposite St. Kane's church.
The local vicinity is rich with prehistory and historical features. There are found a number of prehistoric monuments including Catto Long Barrow,[8] Silver Cairn and numerous tumuli. In that same locale of the Laeca Burn watershed is the point d'appui of historic battles between invading Danes and indigenous Picts.
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