[Archivist’s Note: This letter is believed to have been written on 01/09/1915, not 01/08/1915 as written on the original letter]
Wed. 1/8/1915.
Dear Everybody,
Just arrived here from Aviemore where I spent from Monday midday to today 4.30 P.M. Arrived here 6.30 P.M, & I am writing this while waiting for dinner which is not till a quarter to eight. Of my stay at Aviemore, I can not say enough in writing, but it was a most interesting time. Being as it is just on the other side of the Spey from Rothiemurchus you can well guess the interest that place had for me. With the exception of a forenoon which I spent on the high hills just behind Aviemore, & from which I got a splendid view of the surrounding district, a view the like of which I have never gazed on before. Combining as it does all the varied glories of the wonderful highland scenery, nowhere I have been yet, is so much scenery revealed in so small a place. The famous Cairngorm which forms the eastern horizon
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& overlooks Rothie. I got a splendid view of, to say nothing of a photo which I hope turns out well. I say with the exception of the time I spent on these hills I spent on the Rothiemurchus estate, digging up old fogies who knew Dad & all his brothers sisters & Aunts. The first place I stumbled across was the Dell Farm owned by a young man Grant, & living with him was his mother who knew Aunt Jeanie very well, & wished to be remembered very kindly to her. This lady did not know Aunt Jeanie as a Miss McIntyre I do not think, for it was not until I had met an old man McKenzie that she remembered her at all. It was this young fellow Grant that took me along to see Mr McKenzie, he is an old man over 80 yrs, but as hale & hearty as you like. He knew a Grandfather his brother Duncan Dad his two brothers, three sisters & all Aunt Jeanies family. In fact Maggie used to go to his place & look after his children. He showed
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me the old house where Grand Uncle died, & where Aunt Jeanie used to look after him. He also showed me the house at a place known as Coylum Bridge where Grand Uncle Duncan & Grand Aunts used to live. I think the “Old Maids” (for neither of our Grand Aunts were married,) died at this house, & it was after that, that, Grand Uncle Duncan & Aunt Jeanie were living in this other house. Grand Father James that is of course, Dads father lived at a place known as Moor More but Mr McKenzie says that Aunt Jeanie would hardly remember it. That there are none of the old stock left over here we may pretty well rest assured, for Grandfathers only brother, Duncan was never married, or any of his sisters either, so unless we have some relations dating from our Great Grand
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parents, I am sure we have none other. Mr McKenzie said there were other families of McIntyres on Rothiemurchus at the same time, but he did not think they were in any way related to one another. However, he afterwards came to the conclusion that they were, in some way related but it was so distant he could not explain it. So if it was so distant at that time what would it be by now. Both Uncle Duncan & Uncle James are dead of course, Uncle James Died Forfeshire, & Duncan in Kincardine. Neither of them, Mr McKenzie said were in any way well off, both being labouring men. Uncle Duncan lived for quite a number of years after James, but he was not of very strong intellect & was never treated very seriously so far as I can make out. Grandfather & father according to Mr McKenzie were alway very well liked, & also well known all around.
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This Mr McKenzie & Dad used to go to school together, & he said that as a boy he was a gay young lad. He, Mr McKenzie thought I was very like Dad as he remembered him, thought I was a bit taller, but recognised the build. Now I think I have traced the old family relations to their last resting places, & it behoves me to let them rest in peace. A last shot which we all seem to be living up too. According to all accounts our ancestors were not a very gay match making lot. Well I have just finished a very excellent tea, of which jugged hare & stewed plums formed a very important part. Just what am I going to do in the morning I have not quite made up my mind, but will do some time during the night. There are numerous place of interest to be seen
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the trouble being which to leave out, seeing that I will not be able to go round the lot. I had a very good view of the field on which Cullodon Moore was fought. However being such an interesting spot I may if time will permit pay it a special visit. I have a note of introduction to a gentleman in the city, from a Mrs Johnstone I met in Aberfeldy, will in all probability pay him a call before I leave. This Mrs Johnstone is a person Robert Smith took me to see in Dundee, perhaps I mentioned them before, her husband is a chemist in that town. These people are going to spend their holidays in a little place called Edizell, & they were good enough to ask me to join them there. Robert Smith is going to spend a weekend with them, & as it is on the main line between Aberdeen & Edinburgh I am going to drop in on my way back & spend the same weekend with them. I will in all probability arrive a day or two sooner than Smith, but that will not matter. They are the jolliest couple I have seen for many a while, & I anticipate enjoying myself all right.
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I suppose you will have seen by the paper that new landings, & a further advance has been effected at the Dards, & of what part the O.M.R. played in that event. If you did not see what part the regt. played, you would see the casualty list at any rate, & that is the best indication of what they were doing. I know the country very over which the advance was made & when I saw in the papers that an advance had been made, I had a feeling that the old regt. would have had a bad time. I knew that for us to move meant men, & I am afraid my deduction was only too correct. I have not seen a list of the casualties of the men yet but I am writing to the N.Z. record office for a full list up to date from the 1st August. The casualties amongst the officers of the regiment was 4 killed & 4 wounded, just a little over 25 per cent of them. Out of my squdn.
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Lieut. McKay was killed, Capt Paddon & Lieut Hargest wounded. Then out of the others there was the worst blow of all in the death of the Colonel, then Capt Hay of the 5th Squdn., both absolutely the best soldiers in the regt. Then there is Lieut Alley of 12th squdn. & R. J. Mitchell of 5th squdn both wounded. Mrs Charlie Greenslade’s sister would know Mitchell Lottie, he used to work in the exchange. I only hope the casualties among the men are not in proportion to the number of officers, or there will be a sorry tale to tell. I feel now that my place is out there instead of loafing away here the way I am. I would have given a good bit to have been there for the engagement. However it was not to be & I suppose I must perforce be satisfied. Have received no mail yet, but still hopefull. Time is pressing again the hour 10.30 PM. so Au rêvoir for the present. Your Sincere Brother. E.S.McI.
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I am going to write to Aunt Jeanie, if not this mail it will be next. I sent her a PC from Aberfeldy.
E.S.
Am getting on fine myself.
