The Kemnay Fair Steen, The Kemnay Steens

This rectangular stone is located along a footpath on the western edge of Bogbeth Park, Kemnay, Aberdeenshire. Carved in a style reminiscent of a Pictish stone, it tells the story of the Kemnay Fair an annual event which took place in Bogbeth Park. The Kemnay Queen appears on a raised platform flanked by her attendants. There are musicians, archers and horse riders while dogs, cats and a goat can also be seen. Participants compete in a human wheelbarrow race before the arrival of the 'Red Barrows' display team. A 1976 documentary film by G M M Thomson captures the sights and sounds of the fair. To watch the film search online for 'Kemnay Fair 1976' or visit: https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/8786 The stone is one of the Kemnay Steens, nine carved stones placed along footpaths in and around the village with the aim of encouraging people to explore the rich history, folklore and natural identity of the surrounding landscape. The stones reference local Pictish carvings and later medieval styles but they also have their own visual vocabulary; the more stones that are encountered, the more reoccurring symbols, characters and themes are noticed. Each stone tells its own story but there is also a deeper narrative hidden in the carvings, waiting to be unpicked. The designs for the artworks are the result of six months of research and engagement activity which included community events, talks and stone carving workshops. The project began in July 2019 and was led by The Kemnay Public Art Group a sub-group of Greener Kemnay; a group of local residents who support the reduction of the carbon footprint of the village. The group was asked by Aberdeenshire Council to manage a public art project using the balance remaining in the Percent for Art Fund, accumulated from previous housing developments. Additional funding was then secured from The National Lottery Community Fund.