Monymusk

A New History of Aberdeenshire, Alexander Smith (Ed), 1875

Etymology
The name of this parish is said to be derived from the Gaelic, monadh, which signifies "a hill," and musach, signifying "low or marshy ground," along the river Don. Robertson, in his "Gaelic Topography of Scotland," says, "I that it appears to be from Monadh-muice, and means the 'boar's hill.'"

Boundaries
It is bounded on the north by the parishes of Oyne and Chapel of Garioch; on the east by Kemnay; on the south by Cluny; and on the west by Tough and Keig.

Extent
Its greatest breadth, from the burn of Ton on the south, to the Chapel of Garioch boundary on the north, measures five miles in a direct line; and from the Chapel of Garioch boundary at the Don, to the Tough boundary at the Horseman's Cairn, the distance, also in a direct line, is 5¼ miles. The whole area of the parish is computed to be 10,815 acres, 981 decs.

Topography
The chief topographical features of this parish are the Menaway-ridge, which occupies the western division south of the Don, and the lower spurs of the Millstone-hill; and the haugh of Delab and Enzean, the northern portion north of the river. The highest point on the former ridge is Cairn William, it being 1,496 feet above sea level. The boundary on the Alford, or Tillyfourie hill road, with Tough, is 649 feet; the bridge of Bilbo, on the Cluny road, is 264 feet; the bridge of Ton, on the Kintore and Alford road, is 260 feet; and the influx of Ton with the Don, is about 254 feet. The lowermost point in the parish, also on the Don, on the Chapel of Garioch boundary, is 250 feet above sea level; the south gate to Monymusk House is 316 feet; the parish church is 302 feet; the Ordmill is 311 feet; and the highest point on the Don, on the Keig boundary, is about, 332 feet above sea level; and the distance from the sea, following the course of the river, is 31 miles, six furlongs.

[A New History of Aberdeenshire, Alexander Smith (Ed), 1875]