Document record MAB57873 - NIGG BAY

Site of salt pans.

Site of salt pans. This sea salt manufactory and refinery was established by Alexander Smith, merchant in Old Aberdeen, in 1796. He established his works at a site in the Bay of Nigg, Torry. A tack was agreed between Smith and James Dick, Master of Mortifications on 31 December 1796. Smith tacked (or leased) ground in the north of the bay of Nigg, for 27 years, and described as being in between stones A, X, W and S. He also got permission to 'erect houses and other buildings as they may find necessary for carrying on the Manufacture.'. In return for which Smith was to pay 5 shillings yearly. Boundary stones marked 'X' and 'W' appear on the 1867 Ordnance Survey map close to the shore line in the bay of Nigg. These may very well relate to the position of the salt pans, especially given their position close to the shore, but they may also be a later adaptation of the lettered boundary stone system. The venture itself does not seem to have been entirely successful. Indeed at the time in Scotland there were a number of salt and kelp manufactories set up, many of which failed. On 9 June 1800, Smith sold off shares in his business. The advert in the Aberdeen Journal of that dates reads: 'There will be sold by private bargain, Two shares of the Property of the Salt Work at Nigg, each share being one third of the whole. To accommodate purchasers, these will be sold either in whole or in half shares; but no individual can be permitted to hold more than one share. As this work has justly been celebrated for producing Salt of uncommon excellence, which always brought the highest price, and as the quality may still be much improved, there can be no doubt that it will prove a lucrative concern. As the season for making salt to the greatest advantage is now at hand, intending purchasers may apply immediately' . It is not yet known exactly when this venture failed. However Reverend Alexander Thom writing in the 1830s noted that it had failed 'some time' ago.

ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL, , TORRY COASTAL TRAIL, Trail leaflet (Bibliographic reference). SAB8366.

Record last edited

Dec 12 2022 1:36PM