Glendonachie

The town and the surrounding land was part of the old thanage of Glendonachie. After several changes of ownership it was purchased in 1733 by William Duff of Braco, who became the first Earl of Fife. By the efforts of the second Earl in 1783 Macduff became a Burgh of Barony and as an indication of this new status the Macduff Cross was erected in the same year. William Rose, the Earl's factor was elected as the town's first provost. The second Earl was also instrumental in providing the funds necessary for the building of the harbour and for its maintenance and improvement over many years.

The harbour has been of immense importance to the town's prosperity and the boatbuilding, fishing and allied trades have been the main employers of manpower. The better harbour facilities at Macduff coupled with the silting problems experenced at Banff harbour were the reasons why the Banff fishing boats moved across the bay. In 1898 the Duke of Fife sold the harbour for a nominal sum to Macduff Town Council. Over the years numerous improvements have taken place allowing an increasing number of boats to be based there and in 1915 there were 45 steam drifters, 25 large and 30 small boats belonging to Macduff. In 1914 work started on a large new basin and this "Princess Royal Basin" was officially opened by the Duke of Fife's widow HRH the Princess Royal in 1921. The Royal connection was continued with the visit of HM the Queen and Prince Philip to Macduff harbour in 1961.

Banff and Macduff - Enterprise North East Business Centre - 8 Low Street - Banff - AB45 1AS - Scotland, UK - Telephone: 01261 882006

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