The Early Years

Over 400 years ago Banff attracted the gentry from their country estates to their town houses for the winter months. This has left a legacy of classical homes and business premises, with fine moulded doorways, three storey marmions, doric columned porches, flanking wings and balustraded parapets.

This county town has a charter as a Royal Burgh since 1372 and has been the seat of law and local government administration over many centuries.

Among the many fine examples of 18th and 19th century buildings existing in the town, are the remains of the original castle walls and the Auld Kirkyard. Also of ancient date is the Town Cross of Banff, a replica of which stands in front of the Old Town House in Low Street.

Boatbuilding, fishing and farming and their associated trades included sawmills, rope and sail works, fish curing, soap and candle works, granaries and the production of bricks and tiles. There was also a well-known foundry in the town where many patented farm implements were developed. Banff brewery was also well known for the quality of its beer and thread and stocking manufacture was a large employer in its day. Several gold and silversmiths were resident in the town from 1670 until 1855.

Boatbuilding at the mouth of the Deveron and at the harbour took place over many years, building famous craft like the "Fifie", "Zulu" and at a later date, steam drifters. Over the years, as many as 150 vessels were engineered in Banff harbour, and 63 steam drifters were launched from the Greenbanks by W & G Stephen. In those days, Banff had an excellent export/import trade with many European countries, especially the Baltic States.

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

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