Aithernie House (now the Old Manor Hotel) was built in 1864 to the design of Glasgow architect Mr Campbell Douglas. It was one of the first private homes built on the land east of Sunnybraes Farm. The house was built for the Misses Rigg, who were descendants of William Rigg, a merchant burgess of Edinburgh who had acquired the Aithernie Estate early in the 17th century. Margaret and Mary Rigg moved into Aithernie House with their niece Mary Haymes from Tarvit, Cupar, where their father James Home Rigg had an estate. A Mr Thomson, the gardener at Tarvit, planned and laid out the spacious grounds of Aithernie. Upon completion of the house, the lady owners hosted a dinner in the drawing room and library for 40 of the contractors involved in the building work. The three ladies became active members of the community, hosting an annual Christmas Treat in the Lundin Schoolroom as well as holding events within their home. The Fife Herald of 14 August 1873 describes a 'juvenile excursion' to Aithernie from New Gilston....
"The children were conducted thither in carts...and on arrival were heartily welcomed by the Aithernie ladies.... The children were handsomely treated with a liberal supply of tarts, cookies, &tc which they seemed to enjoy heartily. Many and varied also were the amusements provided for them, with suitable rewards for the winners of the various games. After enjoying themselves thus for several hours, they marched in order through the garden, admiring very much as they went the beautiful flower pots, so artistically arranged and neatly kept, and looking so beautiful at this season of the year, and arranged themselves in front of the house where they sang some nice hymns....and before leaving gave three lusty cheers for Miss Haymes and her kindness and liberality in providing them with such a rare treat as they had enjoyed that day."
"The children were conducted thither in carts...and on arrival were heartily welcomed by the Aithernie ladies.... The children were handsomely treated with a liberal supply of tarts, cookies, &tc which they seemed to enjoy heartily. Many and varied also were the amusements provided for them, with suitable rewards for the winners of the various games. After enjoying themselves thus for several hours, they marched in order through the garden, admiring very much as they went the beautiful flower pots, so artistically arranged and neatly kept, and looking so beautiful at this season of the year, and arranged themselves in front of the house where they sang some nice hymns....and before leaving gave three lusty cheers for Miss Haymes and her kindness and liberality in providing them with such a rare treat as they had enjoyed that day."
The Aithernie estate, was immediately to the east of the Durie estate and to the west of the estate of Lundin. Aithernie Castle was once home to William Rigg. Now ruined (see photo) the castle was about 2 miles west of Lundin Links. After William Rigg's death, Aithernie Castle became the property of James Watson (around 1670). It subsequently passed to his son, Alexander Watson, who married Margaret Lindsay (daughter of David Lindsay of Edzell), known as 'the proud lady of Edzell'.
In the book 'The East Neuk of Fife: It's History and Antiquities', it is said that Margaret "just lived to see the ruin of Aithernie, which her extravagance and folly had brought on, for the laird was a good-natured man, and would deny her nothing. They both died leaving their family in penury."
In the book 'The East Neuk of Fife: It's History and Antiquities', it is said that Margaret "just lived to see the ruin of Aithernie, which her extravagance and folly had brought on, for the laird was a good-natured man, and would deny her nothing. They both died leaving their family in penury."
More on the history of Aithernie House in the next post.
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