Fyvie


Fyvie is a village in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Geography

Fyvie lies alongside the River Ythan and is on the A947 road.

Climate

Fyvie has an oceanic climate. The nearest weather station to Fyvie is located at Fyvie Castle, which is 1 mile north of the village, and is above sea level.

Fyvie Castle

is reputed to have been built by King William the Lion in the early 13th century. It was the site of an open-air court held by King Robert the Bruce and home to the future King Charles I as a child.

Education

The village's school, with around 125 pupils, serves the surrounding rural area.

St Peter's Kirk

St Peter's Church was built in the early nineteenth century on the site of a medieval church. Built into the east gable are three Class I Pictish symbol stones and a Class III Pictish cross. The present church dates from 1808, however the first St Peter's church was referred to as early as 1178.
The church displays some Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows. The east window commemorates Percy Forbes-Leith of Fyvie Castle who died in the 'South African War' in 1900.

Folk tradition

The song The Bonnie Lass o' Fyvie tells of a captain of dragoons who dies for the love of a Fyvie girl. Additionally, the song Andrew Lammie tells of the doomed love of a local miller's daughter, Annie, for Lord Fyvie's trumpeter. Both of these songs may have historical basis - the young woman's grave is said to be in Fyvie churchyard.
One of the prophecies of Thomas the Rhymer relates to Fyvie, predicting it will never flourish until a particular three stones are found.

Etymology

It is thought that the name Fyvie is derived from Fia-chein 'Deer hill'.

Notable people