Building record MAB29943 - FRASERBURGH HARBOUR

Fraserburgh Harbour complex, first established circa 1576, is a fishing harbour still in use as such.

Fraserburgh Harbour complex, first established circa 1576, is a fishing harbour still in use as such. The harbour was expanded again in 1738, while several new piers were added throughout the 19th century. A new and enlarged North Pier was constructed in 1808 using materials first used for the original North Pier of 1745. Work began on a new North Harbour in 1851, completed during the Crimean War and named after the Battle of Balaclava. By 1873 the prosperity generated by the expanding herring fishing and the coming of the railway in 1865 necessitated further enlargement, including the extending of Balaclava Pier, and further deepening of the harbour. Vast sums of money were spent on the development and expansion of the harbour between 1818 and 1914, which at its height was one of the busiest herring ports in Scotland. With the coming of World War I the herring industry was completely disrupted and never fully recovered. During World War II the harbour was defended by three pillboxes, a Type 27 on the breakwater, a Type 24 on the central pier and another of unknown type somewhere on the north breakwater. Fishing still continues with Fraserburgh having developed a substantial white fish, pelagic and shell fish fishing fleet. This change has required large-scale modernisation of the harbour complex, with the Faithlie basin having been deepened in the mid 1950s with the remaining basins following suit from the 1980s onwards. The slipway constructed in 1981 was replaced in 2000 by a new six berth facility, and storm gates were introduced to the harbour in 1986 to replace the old boom system. In 1992, a large drydock was constructed, while the new fish markets built in 1987 were upgraded in 2007 to included fully refrigerated facilities. The harbour office (Listed Category C) is dated 1791, and is a 2-storey 3-window building of heathen rubble with quoin angles where originally exposed, and partly stuccoed.

Period Notes
The first pier was built in 1576. Harbour Works Office built 1791. Harbour was going to ruin in 1728. New pier built in 1738. Harbour described as small but good in 1793; modern harbour began in 1807; present breakwater was built between 1855 and c.1880. North Pier built between 1807 and 1811-1812. South Pier followed and Middle Pier in 1830. Extended between 1912-14. Faithlie Basin opened Monday 27 July 1914.

CRANNA, J, 1914, FRASERBURGH PAST & PRESENT (Bibliographic reference). SAB215.

BUCHAN, J, 1987, BYGONE BUCHAN, 22 (Bibliographic reference). SAB97.

BARCLAY, G, 2013, IF HITLER COMES. PREPARING FOR INVASION: SCOTLAND 1940, pp192-3 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3792.

Apr 14 2005 , UNK-GR-13-05-111 - 113, UNK-GR-13-05-111 - 113 (Ground Photograph). SAB20647.

Apr 20 2005 , UNK-GR-13-05-114 - 116, UNK-GR-13-05-114 - 116 (Ground Photograph). SAB20648.

Jan 20 1994 , AAS/94/01/G2/5-8, AAS/94/01/G2/5-8 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15081.

Mar 1 2011 , AAS/2011/2/DG3337, AAS/2011/2/DG3337 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13352.

Mar 1 2011 , AAS/2011/2/DG3339-40, AAS/2011/2/DG3339-40 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13353.

Mar 1 2011 , AAS/2011/2/DG3348, AAS/2011/2/DG3348 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13354.

Oct 9 1997 , AAS/97/12/CT61-75, AAS/97/12/CT61-75 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16830.

Oct 9 1997 , AAS/97/12/G25/20,22, AAS/97/12/G25/20,22 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16829.

Record last edited

Jul 4 2025 10:20AM