The present harbour was completed in 1874 and, in its heyday, over a
hundred boats were registered there. However, the build-up of silt
caused many problems in the early twentieth century. Although dredging
took place, other factors, such as the decline in the fishing industry,
storm damage and the refusal of the local council to foot the bills for
repairs, led to decades of neglect.
The committee hope to foster local enthusiasm and transform this section
of the coastline into an attractive leisure facility.
Silt removal - January 2003
Click to enlarge
The group has its own website at
http://portgordonharbour.org
History of the
Harbour
1. The New Statistical Account of
Scotland (1842)
"This village, of which the Duke of Richmond is now
proprietor, was named from the late Noble Dukes of Gordon. It contains a
population of 470, and is attached, quoad sacra, to the Chapel of Ease
at Enzie. There is a tolerably good harbour, and ... considerable
business is done in exporting grain and in importing salt and coals.
There are 7 large boats and 10 small.
The large boats are from 12 to 14 tons in weight, and
the small ones between 4 and 5. The price of a large boat is £27; masts
and sails, including cordage, £16; each net is from 45 to 50 yards in
length, and costs £3,10s. In fishing cod, ling and haddocks, a large
boat requires 8 men; and each boat has, from February to April, nine
lines, containing 800 hooks at a yard's distance. From this period, when
the season for taking large fish begins, till April, the fishermen
seldom go further from the shore than fifty miles. From the end of
April, or beginning of May, they frequently sail out to the distance of
eighty miles in search of skate ... Cod, ling, halibut, tusk, and skate,
are the only large fish caught in any quantity in the Moray Frith. They
are salted in pots on the beach, and dried on the rocks, or on a
temporary frame made for the purpose... The ling and skate are the most
valuable, on account of their livers yielding a considerable portion of
oil, which is sold from 10d to 1s per pint. .. In June, the dried fish
is packed in the large boats, and carried for sale to the different
towns along the Fife coast, to Edinburgh, Glasgow and occasionally to
Ireland. A cargo is valued at £100."
2. Details of an
Act of Parliament 1911, giving much information about Port Gordon
harbour can be found here (1.2Mb pdf file)
Sectional view of harbour construction
Click to enlarge
An early photograph of a Buckie fishing boat (BK24)
leaving Portgordon harbour
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