Bubonic Plague In Brechin
Bubonic plague struck the citizens of Brechin, at least as early as 1597, according to written records I was privileged to read. The following is an account covering at least fifty years when the pestilence caused many deaths amongst the people of the city and district.
Bubonic plague was caused by people compelled to feed on filthy garbage and decomposed meat, etc. and the drinking of infected water. It spread quickly amongst the populace, infecting rich and poor alike.
The first written record I had access to was as follows.
"To Caddel, The Post. To gang (go) to Brechin at command of The Provost, for inquisition of the pest (pestilence), at Killimuir (probably Kirriemuir), 1lb.10s. (?£1-10shillings). Date, March,1547.
Second record. Given to Michael Forbes. Post. For careing (carrying) of a letter to the Bailies (Baillifs) of Brechin, anent (concerning) the plaig (plague). 1lb.10s. Date, June, 1547.
1646. Plague serious in City of Brechin.
Bubonic Plague was a contagious bacterial disease, characterised by fever, delirium,and the formation of large pus filled swollen lumps called buboes, beginning in the armpits and groin, and spreading to the rest of the body. It was also spread by human contact and body fluids. It was named The Black Death, due to the skin of the body darkening as it swelled.
In Brechin Cathedral churchyard, a stone dated 1647 is inscribed thus - "Luna Quater Crescens Secentos Peste Peremptos Disce More Et Umbra Sumus.", which loosely interpreted means."Four Quarter Crescents Of Moon. Six Hundred Persons Died Of The Pestilence."
The Plague is also reported as being rife in Menmuir and other areas around Brechin at the same period. Persons known as "Plague Cleaners" were brought from Edinburgh, their main tasks being to roll burning tar barrels throughout the streets of the City and to dispose of the dead.
The Church of Brechin was closed and a notice stated that "No session of The Church, nor collection of money was allowed from 4th April, 1647 to 7th November,1647". No gatherings of the populace were allowed.
Many victims were interred locally and eventually the sick were taken two miles north of Brechin to an area beside Murlingden. Wooden shelters were made from branches and straw, and the plague victims lived inside. Their relatives or friends were the only ones who could leave food for them. Having died, the plague victim's body was burned along with the hut and covered with earth.
The plague was widespread all over the country and I remember during the 1950's, along with Stuart Hogg, also from Brechin, making for a Youth Hostel near Macclesfield in England, and on a lonely moorland track we came upon a stone cross with a stone bowl at it's base. The relic was described as having been used as a place where country folk would leave meal, milk, butter; cheese, and the like during daylight, and the people from the nearby town and villages would leave money as payment in the bowl which had been filled with water to disinfect the coins. Little did I know until a few weeks ago that the same type of practice went on at Brechin long ago until I had a conversation with Miss Knox of Kintrockat House, two miles from Brechin.
Kintrockat House, near Brechin
I was invited out to visit by Miss Knox and her brother, Brigadier Knox, to their home and estate. Kincrockat House dates from before 1600 and is a lovely building, set in beautiful woodlands and a large garden with fields sloping down to the River Southesk. This was formerly The Dower House for the Widow of the Lairds of Maulesden House nearby. The new Laird took over the large mansion house with his wife and the former Laird's widow then lived in the Dower House at Kintrockat (dower : a widow's share for life of her former husband's estate -a dowry). After having enjoyed a refreshing cup of tea and the story of the history of the house I walked around the area outside with Miss Knox and was shown the area connected with the plague all these years ago.
The citizens and traders of Brechin involved in the selling of farm produce and livestock usually carried this out on the sloping ground behind the houses of Brechin High Street, from Bishops Close to the area beyond the iron railings further down. Farm produce was sold by farmers and other country folks every Tuesday, which was Market Day. A stone building still stands which was the former "Butter Market", for centuries. This was where butter, cheese, milk, eggs,was sold, and on the grassy slopes country people displayed their merchandise, e.g. meal, bread, chickens, rabbits, pigs, faggots, (bundles of short branches used for kindling household fires). Brechin Weights and Measures Officers also had their premises here. The equipment is now on display in Brechin Museum.
Back to Kintrockat. During the plague people had to continue selling their produce, but with as little contact with plague victims as possible. It was decided to have a weekly market and Kintrockat became the trading area, but with the proviso that ,as in other parts of the country, no physical contact would be made with the citizens of Brechin. Miss Knox showed me an ancient cairn, covered with copper coloured leaves from the surrounding birch trees. This had been left as a monument to the time of the dreaded plague. Here country people would leave their produce, laid out around the cairn and a large grassy space around it. An ancient path is still evident leading to and from the area. A receptacle would have been left, probably one of many stone bowls at Kintrockat, and the Brechiners would select the goods required and deposit their coins as payment in the stone receptacles. Whether water or any other means of attempting to sterilise the coins was used, e.g. passed through a flame, is unknown. The beautiful glade and the large copper beech trees around it was a lovely peaceful area and of course one's memory goes back to the poor people who suffered all those years ago.
Plague Cairn - erected early 1600s
Old path to Kintrockat House leading to area of "No Contact"
Area of trading with plague victims
Now the sunshine was glinting through the trees and all was peaceful. Back into the ancient Dower House of Kintrockat, and I had an interesting conversation with Brigadier and Miss Knox, and a refreshment before I left. The former indoor squash court with its spectators balcony is part of the house and is now use as an artists studio. Miss Knox was a keen squash player and a former Scottish Champion. My thanks to them for an interesting trip back into History.