Banff Historic Walks

Walk along the streets of Banff and discover historical connections with far off shores such as Argentina and Canada.

See the creations of distinguished architects William Robertson, John Adam, W.L. Moffat, John Smeaton and the great engineer Thomas Telford. Much of the Marina you see today is due to the work carried out at the harbour by Thomas Telford in 1818. Banff was a once prosperous herring port. Apart from lobster catching, Banff has largely conceded its fishing role to Macduff, but continues as a magnet, drawing pleasure craft.

The 1764 John Adam Steeple

A curiously unsettling steeple, with its strange decorative holes, or lucernes. Admiral Gordon, whose house in the mid 18th century was next door, was terrified that this steeple would collapse through his roof - so far, is has not.

Duff House

Designed by William Adam and built between 1735-40 as a seat for the Earls of Fife. Later in the twentieth century, Duff House became a palm court hotel, a successful sanatorium and also a prisoner of war camp during the Second World War. Opened to the public in 1995 after extensive restoration, Duff House now operates as a premier outstation of the National Galleries of Scotland. It hosts outstanding collections of furniture, including chairs by Chippendale, tapestries and paintings by such artists as El Greco.

Court House & County Hall

The splendidly imperialist 1871 building was built on the site of the residence of Lady Gight, who was a grandmother of the poet Lord Byron. Byron visited his grandmother in Banff long before the days of his fame and notoriety, when he was a little boy.

Downloads

To download a narrated walk along the streets of Banff click on this link: Download MP3 file

An illustrated booklet accompanies the talk and is available from the Tourist Information Centre in Banff. To Download a PDF of the guide click on this link: Download PDF file

Pre-programmed MP3 players are available, on loan for a small deposit, from Banff Tourist Information Centre and other outlets - Tel: 01261 812419 

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

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