Aberdeenshire HER - NK14NW0029 - PETERHEAD HARBOUR

Print site NK14NW0029 Feedback on site NK14NW0029

Main Details

Primary ReferenceNK14NW0029
NamePETERHEAD HARBOUR
NRHE Card No.NK14NW128
NRHE Numlink 21184
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. 39733
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Complete 2
Details Peterhead harbour, comprising of Port Henry, North harbour and South harbour. Constructed by Henry Middleton of Clerkhill under the supervision of George, 5th Earl Marischal, and in existence by 1593. It was improved in 1631, repaired in the late 17th Century and in 1705 the South pier was heightened and the West pier built. The South part of the harbour was reconstructed 1775-81 by John Smeaton with improvements by John Rennie in 1806-10 and additions to the West pier in 1813. In the first half of the 19th century the harbour was developed to cater for a large whaling fleet, and from the later part of the 19th century into the 20th century it was expanded to accommodate a herring fishing fleet which at its peak numbered 580 vessels. The North harbour and dry dock were built by John Rennie and Thomas Telford 1818-22. Later improvements were made in 1837, the junction canal was created in 1849 and the South and West piers of the North harbour built by David Stevenson in 1855. Subsequent improvements made in 1893-7 by William Shield of Peterhead. The South harbour was deepened in 1906-8. Built mainly of granite blocks with some later additions in reinforced concrete. The Harbour of Refuge (Admiralty Breakwaters) was begun in 1886 by Sir John Coode, and was built in block granite using convict labour, a prison having been built to supply the labour. Following the decline of herring stocks after World War I the fishing fleet turned to white fish with further developments to the port including construction of a lifting bridge over the junction canal, development of the area to the north of Port Henry Pier, and construction of a new fish market in the North Harbour. During World War II there was a gun battery of two 6-inch guns at the southwest end of the South Breakwater. Albert Quay was completed in 1992. Building recording of various structures was carried out in 2015 ahead of harbour redevelopment, including Queenie Bridge (NK14NW0398)
Last Update25/03/2024
Updated Bycpalmer
Compiler 
Date of Compilation 

Google Map for NK14NW0029

National Grid Reference: NK 1369 4585



Event Details

Event DateEvent TypeOASIS ID
2015 Building Recording

Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
BATTERIESWORLD WAR II H100
HARBOURS  A100
LIGHTHOUSES  B100
BRIDGESROLLING-LIFT C100
CANALSJUNCTION D100
BREAKWATERS  E100
PIERS  F100
MARKETS FISHG100