Coull

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

Etymology
Coull, or Cult, both being from the Gaelic, Cull, which signifies "the back lying place or country," and is a very appropriate description of the position of this parish, which lies behind, or at the back of that extensive ridge of hills which run from Corrennie and Benaquhalie, by the hill of Corse, and Tirebeggar, to the Mortlich in Aboyne, where the ridge terminates.

Boundaries
It is bounded on the north by the parish of Leochel-Cushnie, on the east by the parish of Lumphanan, on the south by the parish of Aboyne, and on the west by the parishes of Logie-Coldstone and Tarland.

Extent
Its greatest length in a direct line from north-east to south-west is about 9 miles; and its greatest breadth from south-east to north-west, also in a direct line along the "Howe of Cromar," is about 3½ miles. The whole area of the parish, including the portion attached quoad sacra, to Leochel-Cushnie, is estimated to be 9,053 acres.

Topography
The valley of Coull extends from below Balnagowan, in the parish of Aboyne, up to near the village of Tarland. The parish embraces both sides of the valley up to Bogmore, but it only embraces the west side from Bogmore up to Tarland. The lowest point on this stream, on the Aboyne boundary, is about 410 feet above sea level, and the highest point near Tarland is 430 feet. The highest land in the south-west division is on Gellan, and the Scarhill of Tillyduke is about 930 feet above sea level. On the ridge which forms the eastern boundary, the Mortlich hill, which overlooks Aboyne, is 1,247 feet above sea level; the highest point on the old Tirebeggar road, which leads from Lumphanan into Coull, is 1,313 feet; and the highest point on this ridge (the Leadlich), which bounds the O'Neil Corse lands and Lumphanan, is 1,563 feet. The Cross road, near Camphill in Lumphanan, is 937 feet; Corse Castle, in the valley of Corse, is 831 feet; and the Aberdeen and Tarland turnpike road, on the boundary between Coull and Tarland parishes, near to Tillylodge, is 529 feet.

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