Peterhead

The town of Peterhead is a fishing port on the Buchan coast of the north-east of Scotland, some 32 miles north of the city of Aberdeen, it is the largest town in the Aberdeenshire area, with a population of 20,000. It is based around a diverse economy including food processing, textiles, service industries and importantly, the fishing. Above; Broad Street in Peterhead. On the site of Peterhead, the first record of inhabitants in the area date back to the 8th Century. The oldest building in the town is a 400 years old salmon fish house. The house is the oldest working building of its kind in Scotland. In the 19th Century Peterhead became a fashionable spa town and watering area, the baths were situated where Bath Street is now. At the same time the fishing industry started to develop around the same area. The new industry created a lot of smell and noise which drove the bathers away.

Peterhead Harbour

Peterhead has long been associated with the fishing industry. Over the following years the fishing created a prosperous time for Peterhead. Whaling was a major part of the early fishing industry and lasted for over 100 years, from the start of the 19th century. As the whaling declined, herring fishing started up which created a whole new industry in Peterhead. Curring yards, boat builders, sailmakers, carpenters and other such businesses developed in Peterhead, feeding off the booming herring industry. Above; a picture of some boats at Peterhead harbour, more than 400 boats are now Peterhead registered. Peterhead was the leading ship building port in Scotland, between 1810 and 1860. The boom in Peterhead lasted up until the First World War. The herring industry has never reached its original size and success again although other industries have replaced it. The white fishing survived in the area and still prospers, being the 2nd largest port for catch in the Grampian area, next to Aberdeen. The Oil and Gas industry has also been a major industry affecting the development of Peterhead over the last 30 years

Peterhead Today

Peterhead currently holds the status as Europe's top whitefish port. Towards Peterhead from the South people enjoy a stunning coastal view, with rugged cliffs and the North Sea. Peterhead has a wide range of entertainment's and amenities including the award winning, Lido Beach which offers safe bathing and is ideal for watersports provided by Peterhead Watersports Centre and Peterhead Sailing Club. Also worth a visit is the Peterhead Maritime Heritage Centre which gives an interesting look at Peterhead's fishing history. The Arbuthnot Museum on St Peter Street has many artefacts representing life in Peterhead throughout the ages. The museum also holds exhibitions of arts and crafts throughout the year. The towns Community Centre has a swimming pool, squash and badminton courts, table tennis, aerobics and rock climbing.