St Lesmos Chapel

Aboyne and Glentanar, Aberdeenshire

Address: St Lesmos Chapel, Glen Tanar Estate, Aboyne, AB34 5EU

Latitude: 57.052607

Longitude: -2.860135

Find A Grave Link: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2580297/glentanar-st-lesmo11 memorials

Website: -

Description: The Chapel was built in 1872 on the ruins of the old house of Braeloine - formerly the centre of the community of Braeloine & Knockieside, whose inhabitants farmed the flat land here, and catered for the passing trade on the Firmounth drove road. At one time the community had an inn, a meal mill, several soutar’s shops (shoemakers), a general merchant’s shop and 15 houses. From the end of the 18th century onwards, the Firmounth trade - and the local population - declined. By the end of the 19th century Braeloine was in ruins and the village deserted. In 1638 John Garden of Bellamore took the Feu of “the croft of Braeloine, the Mill of Glen Tanar, and the alehouse croft” from the Marquess of Huntly. The most recent tenant of Braeloine and the Mill was Peter Begg, in 1850. In 1869 the Estate was taken over by Sir William Cunliffe Brooks, an eccentric banker and M.P. from Manchester who built the chapel and many other buildings on the estate. The Chapel is still in use during the summer months.