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The Statistical Account of Scotland was the result of Sir John Sinclair cajoling the ministers of the established church to answer a range of up to 160 questions about their parishes.  It is a wonderful source for knowledge of local Scottish affairs in the late eighteenth century. The following section was written for Drumoak by the Rev.Mr James Fraser.

Name, Situation, etc.- In this part of the country, it is almost always called Dalmaik. The church and manse are situated by the river Dee, on a haugh (in Erfe Dal); and near, a well, which has still the name of St Maik's Well. Yet it is almost universally written Drumoak, and sometimes Drumaok.  It is Drumoak in papers above 150 years old. It lies in the county of Aberdeen, (except what belongs to the estate of Leys, in the west end of the parish, which is in Kincardineshire), and in the presbytery and synod of Aberdeen. It is about four measured miles from east to weft, and about two from north to south.

Soil and Climate. The soil is shallow, and a great deal of it is only fit for sheep pasture. The air is dry and very healthy.

Population. In 1790, the number of souls was 708, of whom 321 were males, and 387 females. In Dr Webster's report, the number is 760. In 1780, the number was 663; and in 1786, only 637. The annual average of births for ten years, ending in 1789, is exactly 20. During the course of that year, however, there were 30. For ten years, beginning 1692, (when our oldest register commences), the average is 16. For ten years, beginning 1720, very near 21; and for the same period, preceding 1780, a little above 18. The average of deaths cannot be ascertained, there being no register of burials. The gravedigger computes about 10 parishioners annually buried. The number of marriages is only about 2 each year, since June 1786. All the inhabitants are of the established church, except one Episcopalian.

Productions. No wheat is sown in this parish, and but little artificial grasses, or turnips.  The crops consist chiefly of barley and oats.  There are about 2000 sheep. Oxen are less employed in ploughing than formerly. The parish generally supplies itself with provisions.

Church. The stipend is L. 37 : 7 : 9 and 28 bolls of meal. The glebe consists of about five acres arable ground, and as much pasture fit for sheep.  Mr Irvine of Drum is patron, and the only residing heritor. There are other two non-resident. The church is so old that no body knows when it was built: It has had frequent repairs. The manse was repaired 30 years ago.

Poor.- There are about 20 poor people in the parish who receive alms. The annual amount of the funds is about L 20, including L. 4 arising from the interest of legacies, by the Laird of Drum, to decayed tenants, or their widows, and to poor scholars.

Miscellaneous Observations. The people in general live very economically. There is little change of property. Men servants receive about 5 L. per annum of wages; women about 2 L. ; labourers in husbandry, 1 s. per day, or 6d. and their victuals. Peats from the moss, of which a certain quantity is allotted to each farm, are chiefly used for fuel. The roads are in good repair. The statute labour is partly performed in kind, and partly commuted. The best arable land is rented at about 15 s. per acre. The number of farms is not diminishing. There are few enclosures.