New book tracks how Moray's farm workers once lived
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A new history book traces the story of one specific farm to show how many people in Moray would have once lived.
When author Rob Wallen's latest work begins in the 1690s, Essil Farm near Garmouth was inhabited by several families.
Rob, who lives in Garmouth, says: "It was what's known as a 'ferm toun'. There'd have been a collection of houses, probably made out of turf with thatched heather roofs.
"These would have been the homes of a group of tenant farmers who worked for the local laird.
"They'd have lived very hard lives by modern-day standards, full of physical work.
"With no mechanisation everything would have been done by human labour with the help of oxen or, later on, horses."
Rob's book goes on to show how, during the following 150 years, the agricultural revolution transformed Essil Farm.
There are new types of crops being grown and new methods of working the land as well as new owners.
Meanwhile, new inventions are also helping to make life a little bit easier in addition to improving the landscape's productivity.
Rob, who's now retired but used to be principal of Aberdeen College, collated his story by looking back through all sorts of historical records, including estate maps plus valuation returns that were used to establish how much tax should be paid.
His book, titled simply 'Essil', came about following a request from the farm's current day owner Angus Fettes that he write something.
Rob says: "I agreed, partly because Angus is a good guy, and partly because I thought it was a typical farm which told a wider story that relates across Moray and the whole North East."
'Essil' is the tenth book on local history by Rob.
Past subjects include the old Garmouth railway line and the village's water tower.
All ten of his books are on sale at the Garmouth & Kingston community hub, with all profits going to support that building.
Community Association chairman Roddy Robertson said: "Garmouth and Kingston have very interesting histories and each of the books is different, focusing on a particular aspect of local life and local people."
Residents Maggie Crowe and Joe Duncan said: "Having moved here seven years ago, we knew nothing about the villages of Garmouth and Kingston, but we were entranced by the quirky nature of the streets and houses.
"Rob's books have proved invaluable in helping us to appreciate this area's extraordinary past."
The hub is open 11am-2pm each weekday and 2pm-4pm at weekends. Alternatively, email gkcommunityhub@gmail.com to get a copy.
