Kemnay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kemnay |
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Kemnay, war memorial and main street. |
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Population | 3,870 (2016) |
OS grid reference | NJ730158 |
Council area | |
Lieutenancy area | |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Police | Grampian |
Fire | Grampian |
Ambulance | Scottish |
EU Parliament | Scotland |
UK Parliament |
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Scottish Parliament | |
Kemnay is a village 16 miles (26 km) west of Aberdeen in Garioch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. With a population of 3,830 residents aged 16 or over (2012), Kemnay is the third largest settlement in the Garioch.
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History
The village name Kemnay is believed to originate from the Celtic words that mean "little crook in the river" due to the villages location on the bend of the River Don. Kemnay House is classified by Historic Scotland as a category A listed building.
Granite
Kemnay Quarry was opened in 1830 by John Fyfe, and became commercial in 1858. Kemnay Granite has been used in many famous buildings and structures, including;
- Cenotaph, Glasgow
- Forth Railway Bridge, Edinburgh/Fife
- Marischal College, Aberdeen
- Thames Embankment, London
- Various buildings on Princes Street, Edinburgh
Granite workers from Kemnay helped to quarry and shape the Australian granite used in the Sydney Harbour Bridge. They also travelled to quarries in California, the Mississippi Levees and Odessa.
Tourism
Kemnay is popular with explorers of Aberdeenshire who can stay in numerous guest houses, hotels, and bed and breakfasts within the village. There are two pubs, the Bennachie Lodge and the Burnett Arms Hotel.
Places of interest;
- Fetternear Estate
- Fetternear Palace, archaeological dig site (Bishop's Palace)
- Johnstone FM Monument
- Kemnay Academy of which the golfer Paul Lawrie, who won the 1999 Open Championship is a former pupil, as is Aberdeen FC footballer Darren Mackie