A new book full of stories about an Aberdeenshire community’s history of witchcraft, regicide, Pictish influence has been published, with all proceeds going to charity.
A History of Torphins has been co-written by retired Aberdeen solicitor and former Torphins community council chairman Denis Christie and retired engineering business consultant Brian Murray, both of whom have been residents of the Deeside village for 40 years.
The book tells stories from all throughout the history of the community and the surrounding area, and all proceeds will be donated to the Grampian Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre and the Torphins Paths Group.
Mr Christie said: “It is a first so far as the history of Torphins is concerned, as there is no such book dedicated to Torphins, but only references to the village and the area surrounding it contained in general history books in Deeside and in various historical articles.
“The book covers, amongst other things, the influence of the Picts on the area, witchcraft in the locality and the dire consequences thereof, and uncovers the correct location of the devilish rituals of the ‘witches’.
“Also covered is regicide, the slaughter of King Macbeth at the battle of Lumphanan in 1057, and the influence of Torphins and the surrounding area of agriculture, religion and large estates, and the coming of the railway in the Victorian era.”
The 160-page book can be bought via the website www.oldtorphins.com