Rayne

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

Etymology
The name of this parish was sometimes written Raine, in records of the 17th century, but more frequently Rain, and Rayn. The author of the Statistical Account of the parish (1840) states that the name "was probably derived from a Gaelic word of similar sound, Raon, signifying a field of good ground--a term sufficiently appropriate to this parish," if true, and very curious certainly had it been true. We have no such words in the Gaelic language as Ra-on. We have Reidh-abhuinn, meaning "the smooth-running stream," and contracted Rea-an, is manifestly the true origin of the name; and any one acquainted with Old Rain, with the Ury running smoothly by, will acknowledge its correctness.

Boundaries
The parish is bounded on the north by the parishes of Auchterless and Fyvie; on the east by Daviot and Chapel of Garioch; on the south by Oyne; and on the west by Culsalmond.

Extent
Its greatest length in a direct line, from the Ury at Strathhorn, to the burn of Rothie at Blackford, is five miles; and its greatest breadth, also in a direct line, from the Drum of Cartle to the west of Freefield House, is four miles. The whole area is computed to be 7,890¾ acres.

Topography
The hill of Rothmaise, the highest land in the parish, is 854 feet above sea level; the crossing of the Forgue with the Sheelagreen road at the Drum of Cartle, is 420 feet; and the church of Rayne is 491 feet. With the exception of the hill of Rothmaise, which is on the north boundary of the parish, the whole surface presents a pleasant undulating surface, with gentle acclivities, and a large tract of flat moss lying along the Old Meldrum and Sheelagreen road, from the east boundary with Daviot, to the west with Culsalmond, and north of the house of Wartle.

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