Our Parish: Church & Community United

Drumoak and Durris lie in Royal Deeside between Aberdeen and Banchory; Drumoak being on the north side of the River Dee and Durris on the south. Drumoak Church is in the village of Drumoak, Durris Church is in the Kirkton of Durris.

They are both rural parishes but with differences. Drumoak is some 16 square miles in area and has the bigger concentration of the houses. Durris is around 40 square miles of mainly farms and a few scattered houses and small concentrations of houses, but no village to speak of. Newcomers to rural areas often say, and perhaps sometimes complain, that it takes a generation or two to become accepted but if there's one sure and certain core to rural life it's the church. Our church services are well attended, thanks to the efforts of our outstanding minister, the Rev Jim Scott and his wife Roz, and the many people involved in the life of the church and the groups it supports. 

The Dee Valley is one of the best places to live in the whole of the UK. The city of Aberdeen has a long history and parts of Old Aberdeen reflect hundreds of years of the city's life. It provides employment for tens of thousands of people, largely but by no means entirely, linked to the energy industry. Outside work there are surely very few interests which are not catered for. In particular outdoor activities have an abundance of provision; fishing, shooting, skiing, cycling, running, hill walking, mountaineering and all the common team sports such as rugby, football and, to the surprise of some, cricket. Aberdeen has theatres, a Music Hall, several cinemas and shopping centres. Transport links are generally good but sometimes subject to the vagaries of weather and commercial interests.

Our nearest town is Banchory which is well provided with shops, medical facilities, dentists, a library and a thriving and very well regarded Academy. Banchory Academy comes high in the league table of Scottish schools and is a community centre so its swimming pool and sports hall are open to groups. There's a new primary school set amongst a new housing development. For those to whom such things are important, a new Tesco is being built on the outskirts of the town; in the town, there are a couple of small supermarkets and a Morrisons.

Banchory is well provided with activities for all ages. In Banchory itself there are football, cricket, squash, badminton and golf clubs to name but  a few. Then there's fishing on the world famous Dee. Orienteering and skiing are nearby  There is a strong Scottish Country Dancing Club and the Woodend Barn puts on a variety of different acts. Youngsters have opportunities with clubs including swimming, squash, cricket, badminton, football and of course golf. There are Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Cubs and thriving Air Training Corps and Army Cadet Force groups. 

What strikes visitors to our churches is the warm welcome they receive from the congregation. There is no standing on ceremony and people work hard to welcome newcomers and the one-off visitor. After every service teas, coffees and biscuits are served in the welcome area which provides an opportunity to get to know people.

Drumoak-Durris Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland, the established, national church in the country, and Presbyterian in Government. We are part of the Presbytery of Kincardine and Deeside. 

Both churches are easy to find and are signposted. Drumoak church lies on the north side and eastern end of Drumoak while Durris Church lies on the north side of the tiny village of Kirkton of Durris.

Both Parishes have a long, long history. Durris was a royal deer forest in the days of Alexander III who, it's believed, did live in the long since vanished Durris Castle which lay about 1 mile east of Kirkton. For those interested, the outline remains. 

What is fascinating about Scotland's history is how it has changed over the centuries. Today, the centres of influence are in Edinburgh and Glasgow but in ancient times Drumoak and Durris were very important places. Indeed, it can be said that Drumoak was at one time one of the most important places in the whole of Scotland.  Some historians believe that the capital of the Texali, one of the Caledonian tribes, was located in what is now Drumoak parish.   The predecessor to Drumoak Church was Dalmaik Church which possibly dates from the 11th C. That church closed in 1836 when Drumoak Church was opened.