Old Balmedie and Belhelvie Parish

Belhelvie is a country parish bounded by the sea directly north of Aberdeen. Before North Sea Oil, it was characterised by farming, fishing, quarrying, clary working and all the stock trades of rural life. In 1870 the parish was divided up into a baker's dozen estates, and despite some subsequent housebuilding, most people worked for these estates in one form or another. The front cover photograph sums up the parish - people worked hard and had plenty to do while life went on without significant changes. Most of the images in the book reflect this industrious rural lifestyle. However, there was industry here also, such as the Belhelvie Quarry, which is described and illustrated and similarly, the Seaton Brick and Tile Works at Strabathie. Today the parish settlements are much grown.