Brechin’s newest streets have paved the way for recognition of figures falsely accused of witchcraft in the town nearly 400 years ago.
At Scotia Homes’ latest development off Pittendriech Road, locals whose names feature on a riverside memorial unveiled last year will be remembered.
Another street is named after a Canadian airman with Brechin family roots whose gallantry earned him the Victoria Cross.
Macabre past
Brechin Independent councillor Jill Scott dug into the history books to come up with the street names.
It follows a surge in interest in Scotland’s 17th century witch trials.
Last May, a memorial bearing the names of 14 locals accused of witchcraft was unveiled beside the River South Esk.
Three were executed and others tortured or suffered an unknown fate.
Councillor Scott said: “The witch trials began in Scotland, right here in Angus.
“It is hugely important these people are remembered, and that people understand the horrific torture they endured for nothing other than being people who probably just didn’t fit in at the time.
“They may have had mental health issues or alcohol problems but were regarded in a completely different way than they would be now.
“I think it’s also important that we move away from the stereotypical association with Halloween.
“Hopefully people who come to live here or visit will be interested to learn about the names behind them.”
Historic names
The new streets are:
- Kyneir Drive
- Hampton Gray Way
- Merchant Mews
- Couper Close
- Humbell Gardens
- Chrystison Crescent
- Gold Gardens
Cllr Scott added: “The names are all taken from the stone in Brechin except for Marat Gold, who for some reason is not on the stone but is an ancestor of Angus historian Judith Langlands-Scott.
“I promised Judith I would do something to include her relative when I was told she was missing from the stone, hence Gold Gardens.”
She added: “Brechin has a dark history, with the witches bar dating back to the 1500’s still in the witches room in the square tower at Brechin Cathedral.
“Those accused of witchcraft would have been held and tortured with items such as the branks on display at the Townhouse museum.
“When you try to imagine the suffering these people endured, it is simply horrific.”
The Friends of Brechin Townhouse are hosting Judith and Shaun Wilson at the museum on Sunday July 16 for a talk on the Scottish Witch Trials.
Fleet Air Arm hero
One of the development’s other street names will honour little-known war hero Robert Hampton Gray.
‘Hammy’ Gray was a local mill worker’s son who began a new life across the Atlantic in the early 1900s.
He was born in British Colombia in 1917 and died in action on August 9 1945.
Gray was piloting a Corsair aircraft launched from HMS Formidable in an attack against a Japanese battleship.
His body was never recovered and he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
The 27-year-old was one of only two Second World War VCs from the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.
He is the last Canadian to receive Britain’s highest gallantry award.
A mountain in Canada is named after him and there is also a memorial to the pilot in Japan.
Brechin researcher Steve Nicoll unearthed the fascinating story from the family gravestone in Brechin cemetery.
Developer delighted
Scotia Homes commented: “We are delighted with the progress of our Brechin West development and eagerly look forward to the final selection of street names.
“This decision to name the streets after locals convicted of witchcraft is both a meaningful tribute to those accused and a way in which to commemorate an important part of the town’s history.”
