Amsterdam, Grass & Wetlands
Despite being named after the city in the Netherlands this pretty little town, virtually on the border with Swaziland, was originally settled by the Scottish when 300 of them arrived with a man named McCorkindale who did not just want to settle here, but hoped to develop an ambitious sea route to the port he intended establishing at the mouth of the Usutu River.
McCordindale was obviously no stranger to entrepreneurship and was something of a visionary. He initially arrived in South Africa to settle in Zululand intending to grow cotton. On suggestion from his brother-in-law that the area west of the Swaziland border was a good place to further McCorkindale's idea of a Scottish settlement in South Africa, he formed the Glasgow & South African Company.
He then convinced the government of the time to sell him 200 farms close to the Swaziland border, to which he also gave a series of Scottish names (Iona, Dumbarton, Craigie Lea etc.), to which he intended to entice the Scottish as part of an immigration scheme. He called the area New Scotland and intended bringing farmers, mechanics, traders and miners to the area (a bit like the 1820 settlement at the Cape).
McCorkindale also proposed to make the River Usutu navigable and to provide the land-locked Transvaal with an outlet through Delagoa Bay. He returned to Britain to raise capital and recruit migrants taking along President Pretorius's daughter, Christina, to see Europe (Chrissiesmeer was named after her).
His ambitions outweighed his capabilities and he returned having raised little of either, bar persuading some of his relatives, and a few Scots from Natal, to move to New Scotland. Around 50 people settled at the lake called Chrissie. McCorkindale then fell foul of maleria whilst on a survey to Delagoa Bay and died.
Leaderless, most of the Scottish farmers left their farms and returned home, and McCorkindale's wife was apparently tied up in legal and financial complications for much of her life.
Today Amsterdam is a demure sheep farming town surrounded by huge gum, pine and wattle plantations, close to the Swazi border.
If you can, cross the border and visit the Usutu Forest, the largest man-made forest in the world.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Pioneer House
Pioneer House is a self catering holiday home located in Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga. Pioneer House can accommodate eight guests in four bedrooms. T...
Kingfisher Cottage at Komati Gorge
Kingfisher Cottage can sleep up to eight guests in three bedrooms. The first two bedrooms are furnished with a Queen-size bed and the third room ...
Pretty Pig Cottage
On the Mpumalanga Highveld bordering Kwa Zulu Natal, nestled between mountains and wetlands, lies the Pretty Pig Cottage at Forellenhof Guest Far...
44 On Ennis Guest Lodge & Restaurant
44 On Ennis Guest Lodge offers comfortable and affordable accommodation in Ermelo. Each room has a private bathroom For your comfort, you will fi...
Dawsons Homestead
Dawsons Homestead is a comfortable old farmhouse offering accommodation in Badplaas. Located 2.1km from Dawsons Game & Trout Lodge, guests can en...
Haus Eleven
Haus Eleven offers comfortable rooms accommodating between two and three guests. Each room is thoughtfully equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, a T...
The Stella Guest House and Spa
The Stella Guest House and Spa is a stylish guest house set in the picturesque town of Ermelo. This tranquil area is ideal for a relaxing break, ...
Vlei House
Vlei House is a lovely characterful home bordering on the scenic Wakkerstroom wetland. This is a prime birding area, peaceful, quiet and within e...
Things to do in the area
Rainbow Route
The Rainbow Route links the provinces of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal starting at Carolina. It passes through the towns of Kriel, Bethal, Ermelo,...
Noteworthy attractions
Badplaas Golf Club
Badplaas Golf Course is privately owned nine hole golf course located in Mpumalanga at the feet of the formidable and striking Hlumu-Hlumu mounta...
Nooitgedacht Dam Nature Reserve
Nooitgedacht Dam Nature Reserve, renowned for its access to great fishing opportunities, lies just 10 kilometres from Carolina on the Komati Rive...
Ermelo Golf Club
An excellent 18-hole course layout with plenty of challenging holes. The Ermelo country club is in Hendrina Road on the left just before the town...
Nelshoogte Pass
Nelshoogte Pass, sometimes known simply as Nelshoogte or Nelsberg Pass, lies on the R38 between Barberton and Badplaas directly north of the Nkom...
Piet Retief Country Club
Although it has nine holes, the Piet Retief golf course can be played as an 18-hole course. Tee times are welcomed and the club is open all week ...
The Giant Footprint
Lothair also promises visitors a peek into some of its mystery. Was this once the home of giants? A strange question under normal circumstances, ...
Find accommodation in Amsterdam
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Mpumalanga Accommodation / Grass & Wetlands Accommodation / Amsterdam Accommodation