Editing Turriff (section)

==History==
[[File:Turra Coo statue 2017-05-26 - 1.jpg|left|thumb|Statue commemorating the [[Turra Coo]]]]

The [[Knights Templar]] appear to have had a base in the area, and a nearby site is still known as "Temple Brae".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/19149/turriff-castle-rainy|title=Turriff, 'castle Rainy' &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk}}</ref>

In 1273, the [[Earl of Buchan]] founded the Hospital of St Congan for a master, six [[chaplain]]s and thirteen poor husbandmen of [[Buchan]], though it is believed to have been in ruins before the time of [[the Reformation]]. These can be seen in the east gable of today's Episcopal church.{{sfnp|McKean|1990|p=64|ps=none}}

In 1512, Turriff became Burgh of Barony with two fairs — Lammas Fair and St Congan's Fair — and founded a grammar school.{{sfnp|McKean|1990|p=64|ps=none}}

Turriff's [[mercat cross]], a [[red sandstone]] octagonal pillar, was built before 1557. Its base was widened by James Duncan in 1865, with sculpture by [[Thomas Goodwillie (sculptor)|Thomas Goodwillie]].{{sfnp|McKean|1990|p=64|ps=none}} It had an iron railing around it in the 19th century.

An earlier St Congan's church, now ruined, is medieval in date. Its eastern tower remains, capped with a richly-carved 1635 double [[bellcote]]. The kirk's bell is dated 1556, and the clock (made in [[Carnoustie]]) dates from 1797. It was still working as of 1990.{{sfnp|McKean|1990|p=65|ps=none}} Demolition in the 19th century exposed a brightly coloured [[fresco]] of [[St Ninian]] on a white background in the [[chamfer|splay]] of a window in the southern wall of the church.{{sfnp|McKean|1990|p=65|ps=none}}

There is a record of a courtyard house (probably of the 17th century), known as Castle Rainy, which was used for a time as the town hall, in Castlegate until the late 19th century.{{sfnp|McKean|1990|p=65|ps=none}}

Turriff was notable as the scene of the first engagements of the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]] (1639–51). Early in 1639, the [[Marquess of Huntly|Marquis of Huntly]] assembled his forces here, and thereafter went to [[Kintore, Scotland|Kintore]] in lower Aberdeenshire, eventually marching from there to [[Aberdeen]] itself. The Marquis — being informed shortly after his arrival in Aberdeen that a meeting of [[Covenanters]] was to be held in Turriff on the fourteenth of February — resolved to disperse them, by occupying the town with 2000 men. The incident was known as the "Raid of Turriff" and was followed a few days later by a minor engagement at nearby [[Towie Barclay Castle]] known as the "Trot of Turriff".<ref>Trevor Royle (2005) ''Civil War: The Wars of the Three Kingdoms''. London, Abacus: 89-91</ref>

By 1796, said historian [[Charles McKean]], "the character of the town was set". "There were over double the number of ale and whisky houses than there were butchers," he added.{{sfnp|McKean|1990|p=65|ps=none}}

Turriff prospered in the [[Victorian era]] through agriculture, as evidenced by its solid red sandstone suburbs, and became known for its role as the centre of feeing for Buchan farm labourers.{{sfnp|McKean|1990|p=65|ps=none}}

More recently, the 1913 [[Turra Coo]] incident in the parish was the result of a local refusal to pay [[National Insurance]] when this was introduced by [[David Lloyd George|Lloyd George]]'s government. [[Sheriff Officer|Sheriff's officers]] seized a cow from a local farmer who refused to pay National Insurance contributions for his workers. The officers had difficulty selling the cow, as locals were sympathetic toward the farmer.<ref>{{cite news|title='Turra coo' tax protest remembered 100 years on|work=BBC News |date=9 December 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-25282555|access-date=25 February 2018}}</ref> Eventually they brought in an outside auctioneer, but the auction was disrupted by protesters and the cow escaped. A statue of the "coo" was erected in 2010 in the town centre at the junction of High Street and Main Street and has become a popular emblem for the town.

Historically, Turriff was an important centre for agricultural trade, with its mart being mentioned in the mid-19th century [[Statistical Accounts of Scotland|Second Statistical Account of Scotland]] as one of the largest in the country. The mart finally ceased operation in December 1989, having been eclipsed by the newer Thainstone Mart at [[Inverurie]]. At one time the town was served by [[Turriff railway station|Turriff station]] on [[Banff, Macduff and Turriff Junction Railway]].

The town was never fortified.{{sfnp|McKean|1990|p=65|ps=none}}