A few words
About Midbeltie Trust
History
James Allan was a native of Aberdeen who made his fortune as a merchant in India.
He retired to Union Terrace in Aberdeen, and in his daily life observed the plight of poor widows in the town. With no children of his own, he decided to bequeath his estate to charity and set up a Trust that would pay annuities to widows in need who lived within what were then in city’s parishes – St Nicholas and Old Machar.
James Allan purchased the agricultural estate of Midbeltie, near Torphins, and on his death in 1848 made the estate over to his chosen trustees and instructed them to pay annuities half-yearly to “widows of good character and in reduced circumstances”.
Present
The Trust still owns the estate of Midbeltie, which consists of a number of tenanted farms and an investment portfolio.
The net income from these two sources is applied by the Trustees in paying an annuity to the widows on the roll. The present amount of the annuity is £450 paid in two amounts of £225, on the 1st May and 1st November. Payments will be made directly into the widow’s bank account.
The Court of Session recently granted leave to the Trustees to amend the Trust deed so that all widows within the present boundaries of the City of Aberdeen may qualify for assistance.