The History of Drumblade

How did Drumblade get its name?

Drumblade is a little hamlet in north-western Aberdeenshire NE Scotland. We have long speculated that Drumblade in South Africa is named after that Drumblade because of the similarity of scenery, however we have never been able to find the link; until now that is!  Dr W Leslie Alexander (Ophthalmologist and son of a Drumblade Scotland Farmer) recently sent us an e-mail

I happened to learn of your Drumblade in recent years. I was curious to know the origin of the name. Just this weekend, I came across a possible link. I found an obituary (1930) of a Johannesburg solicitor who in earlier life had been Headmaster of Drumblade School, Scotland. I know nothing more but if your community Drumblade was created during his time from 1894 it seems possible he was connected. There may have been other Drumblade connections unknown to me.

We traced the obituary to the Aberdeen Press & Journal 27th August 1930 and found this article about William M Dunbar. A prominent Solicitor in Drumblade. The death has taken place at Johannesburg, where he was prominent in legal circles, of Mr William M Dunbar. M.A. LL.B. A native of Elgin (a town on the way to Inverness), and a graduate of Aberdeen University. Born in 1850, Mr Dunbar was a son of the late Mr Robert Dunbar, Elgin. He was educated first at Elgin Academy, then the Grammar school in Old Aberdeen, and Aberdeen University, where he graduated in Arts, with honours in mental philosophy in 1885.

After obtaining his degree he entered on educational work, and for some years held the headmastership of Drumblade School. Aberdeenshire. In 1894 he went to South Africa, and for several years was headmaster of the Public School, Johannesburg.

From Education to Law.

Taking up the study of the law Mr Dunbar in 1900 obtained the LL.B. degree of the University of the Cape of Good Hope, and in 1902 was admitted to the Bar of Cape Colony. In the same year he was admitted to practise in the Transvaal as an attorney, notary, and conveyancer, and he carried on the general business of a solicitor in Johannesburg.

His wife is a daughter of the late Mr William McArthur, a tenant farmer, Brideswell Estate, Drumblade where her father owned a house and shop, and of Mrs McArthur, Glanourtyn, Huntly.

I think we can now safely say the urban legend is indeed fact, William M Dunbar, and probably influenced by his wife, named our beautiful area after their home parish Drumblade in Scotland.

William M Dunbar from Elgin, Scotland.

Ploughing in Drumblade, Scotland.

Ploughing in Drumblade South Africa.

Drumblade in Scotland where it snows a lot.

Drumblade in South Africa where it snows every 25 years.