Kemnay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kemnay
Kemnay, war memorial and main street.
Kemnay
Population	3,870 (2016)
OS grid reference	NJ730158
Council area	Aberdeenshire
Lieutenancy area	Aberdeenshire
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Police	Grampian
Fire	Grampian
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Gordon
Scottish Parliament	Aberdeenshire East
List of places UK Scotland 57°14′02″N 2°26′56″W / 57.23392°N 2.44890°W / 57.23392; -2.44890

Kemnay is a lovely village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It's about 16 miles (26 km) west of the city of Aberdeen. In 2012, about 3,830 people aged 16 or older lived here. This makes Kemnay the third biggest place in the Garioch area.

Kemnay's Story: A Look Back

The name Kemnay comes from old Celtic words. These words mean "little crook in the river." This makes sense because the village sits on a bend of the River Don.

A very old building called Kemnay House is in the village. Historic Scotland has listed it as a special "Category A" building. This means it's very important for its history and architecture.

Kemnay's Famous Granite

Kemnay Quarry, where the famous granite comes from.

Kemnay is well-known for its granite quarry. A man named John Fyfe opened the quarry in 1830. It started selling granite commercially in 1858.

The strong, beautiful Kemnay Granite has been used in many famous places around the world:

• The Cenotaph in Glasgow
• The amazing Forth Railway Bridge near Edinburgh
• Marischal College in Aberdeen
• The Thames Embankment in London
• Many buildings on Princes Street in Edinburgh

Workers from Kemnay even helped with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia. They quarried and shaped the granite used there. These skilled workers also traveled to quarries in California, helped with the Mississippi Levees, and worked in Odessa.

Fun Things to See and Do

The ruins of Fetternear Palace.

Kemnay is a great place for people exploring Aberdeenshire. You can find many guest houses, hotels, and bed and breakfasts here. There are also two pubs, the Bennachie Lodge and the Burnett Arms Hotel.

Here are some interesting places to visit:

• Fetternear Estate
• Fetternear Palace: This is an old Bishop's Palace and an important archaeological dig site.
• Johnstone FM Monument
• Kemnay Academy: This school has had some famous students! Golfer Paul Lawrie, who won the 1999 Open Championship, went here. So did Aberdeen FC footballer Darren Mackie.

Images for kids

• 

  Kemnay Academy in 2005.