History

During the year of 1823 king George IV honoured Charles Forbes with the grant of a baronetcy, Sir Charles Forbes BART of Newe and Edinglassie. On the 15th December 1823 his son John became of age and to mark the occasion a bonfire on the Lonach Hill was lit and the Lonach Society was formed. In the year 1836 it was agreed to hold a local highland gathering.

In 1844 a circular was posted by the then Honorary Secretary of the Lonach Society and local schoolmaster, A.G. Anderson, to build a meeting hall. The circular dated 16th December 1844 encourages subscription by the following...............

'this is for a most excellent purpose, combining with the charitable and beneficial intention of the Society, the opportunities, and locality for cheerful assemblage of the poor Highlanders, - and ensuring to them a building wherein both business and recreation may be pursued, - the smallest donation thankfully received.'

A copy of the original document and those who subscribed is on show in the Lonach Hall today.

The original Lonach Highland and Friendly Society Hall was built by subscription in 1845 "combining with the charitable and beneficial intentions of the Society, the opportunities and locality for a building wherein both business and recreation may be pursued." These "intentions" have certainly not been lost on the Lonach Hall Community Association (LHCA) Executive - the newly-formed elected body charged with running the Hall.

As years passed the membership of the Society increased to nearly 300 members. A bigger hall was required for the society and the community. In 1896 the main Lonach Hall and caretakers flat was added at the cost of nine hundred and ninety seven pounds seventeen shillings. It is perhaps significant that Strathdon's Dr Howie took delivery of Scotland's first motorcar in the same year, and as part of the fundraising effort, he took passengers from Newe to Bellabeg for the princely sum of sixpence. In pre-motorcar days, the Lonach Gathering was an important fixture for bringing together a widely dispersed local population. And while today it may be a relatively quick car journey across the Lonach area (buses are not an option), the Gathering is also an annual pilgrimage for people from all over the world

 When Castle Newe was demolished in 1927 portraits, targes, swords and busts of the 1st Bart and his two sons were placed on display. They can still be seen today thanks to direct descendants of the Forbes family, Colonel and Mrs Tuck. On special occasions tartan drapes are places around the hall adding to the unique character of this wooden panelled hall.

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