Cairngorm Lodges

John Brown

The estates history can be traced back to before the 1500´s, however one of its more recent occupants was a Mr Andrew Robertson who was the only medical man on Deeside and Cromar from 1820. He gave up practice in 1852 on being appointed Commissioner of Balmoral, a post which he held for 28 years. In 1865, he moved to Blelack, before he built a house which he called Hopewell and to which he retired in 1875. It was his servant who became more famous – perhaps assisted by Billy Connolly´s portrayal in the film "Mrs Brown". Robertson transferred to Queen Victoria, his servant John Brown, who became a close friend of the Queens. John Brown is buried in the graveyard at Crathie Kirk near to Balmoral, a short distance from Blelack.

Poldhu Wells - Healing Waters

The estate has recently been involved a newly discovered site of archeological interest Poldhu wells. Interestingly the wells boast waters of healing properties and debate rages still today about whether the water in the local area does truly have health giving qualities. One thing is for certain regardless of where you come from you will find the local water fresh tasting.

The belief is:
 "There is a mineral spring in the Parish, a little to the south of the Church, called Poldow, which in the Gaelic signifies a ‘black pool’; the water of which, some years ago, was much and successfully used for scorbutic and gravelish disorders. Great crowds of the country people still resort to Poldow and drink of waters for all disorders."

(History of Logie Coldstone and Braes of Cromar, John G Mitchie, 1896 citing
the Reverend Robert Farquharson, 1793).

The Curse

The Laird of Belack is a little sensitive regarding the curse. The curse is documented in both folklore and song. It is said that a former Laird banished some fairies from the estate and sent them away never to return.

The verse states (chanted by the fairies)
"Dool Dool to Blelack, and Dool to Blelack´s Heir, for Driving us fae the Seely Howe to the Cauld Hill O´Fare"

Dool is doric for Doom
The Cauld (cold) hill of Fare is a hill near the village of Torphins, also in Deeside.

Lately, a white witch has built fairy houses throughout the estate in order to entice the fairies back.
The current Laird denies that she was in his employ, but ask him when you see him.