In 1929, Grange Inglis Kirkcaldy, 1895-1979, and his wife Mildred Robertson Kirkcaldy, settled at the Lodge of Auchindoir, near both the River Don and the upper course of the Water of Bogie, to farm by the Biodynamic method of agriculture inaugurated by Rudolf Steiner in 1924. Later they bought 120 acres on a crook of the river Don near Inverurie raising dairy cattle.

In the early 1930´s Grange travelled the 80 miles roundtrip to Aberdeen once a week to hold a meeting for enquirers about Anthroposophy at Kennaway´s Tea Rooms. In 1933 he welcomed W.H.T Haughton, the proprietor of Williamston estate, into the Anthroposophical Society.

In the spring 1939 Haughton gave Karl König and his followers, who founded the Camphill movement, their first home in Kirkton House on his estate near Inch.  The first vehicle of the later worldwide Camphill movement was a three-wheeled van, gifted by Grange, used beforehand for milk deliveries to the people of Lumsden. 

In 1936. Major Kirkcaldy started with holding study groups in 2 Fonthill Terrace in Aberdeen. 
By 1948 there were 90 members of the Anthroposophical society registered in Aberdeen, 50 in the city and 40 in Camphill. 

In 1960, the Old Manse in Lumsden became available as a venue for weekend conferences on Anthroposophy.  

-The source of this information is the detailed and entertaining collection of memories of Grange I. Kirkcaldy. gathered by William H. Milne, published privately.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,

his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;

“All hail”, said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,

most highly favoured lady.” Gloria.

Archangel Gabriel, 1918. Marble Ivan Meštrovic (Croatian, 1883-1962).

After the horrors of the Balkan Wars and World War I, a disillusioned Ivan Meštrovic turned away from the themes of Slavic history and national identity that had characterized his early work. He began focusing on religious subjects such as this haunting, stylized portrayal of Gabriel, the archangel sent to tell Mary that she would become the Mother of God. Gabriel’s closed eyes emphasize the visionary nature of the event, while the rhyming diagonal of head, hair, and wings suggests the airborne angel’s sudden arrival. (with grateful thanks to Glenn Bard)

(contribution of Dina Leigh in the “Anthroposophy in Moray” Newsletter of December)

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