Aberdeenshire Historic Harbours Trail puts spotlight on ports
A coastal trail which can be completed puts the focus on Aberdeenshire’s historic harbours.
Showcasing 12 of the region’s ports - from Portsoy in the north to Johnshaven in the south - it offers a brief introduction to its maritime heritage.
Paper copies can be found at a wide range of attractions and venues across the north-east of Scotland. It can also be downloaded from https://bit.ly/HistoricHarbours
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said: “Aberdeenshire’s coastline is 165 miles long and the region has strong historical connections with the sea.
“Harbours have been especially important, for fishing, trade and other maritime industries.
“The earliest harbours were natural safe havens or coastal inlets, where boats were pulled ashore on landing.
“Some of these became the stone harbours people can see today. Local landowners built and paid for the first stone harbours.
“In the 19th century government grants became available to fund the building and expansion of harbours.
“The importance of fishing and sea trade has varied over time, and Aberdeenshire’s coastal settlements have had many highs and lows.
“This can be seen in how the harbours have changed in size and use. Many harbours are now used mainly for pleasure craft not trade.”
