Keith, Moray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Keith
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 Keith
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| Population | 4,610 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NJ430506 |
| • Edinburgh | 110 mi (177 km) S |
| • London | 432 mi (695 km) SSE |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | KEITH |
| Postcode district | AB55 |
| Dialling code | 01542 |
| Police | Grampian |
| Fire | Grampian |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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_Ogilvie_1791-1871,_at_his_loom_in_Keith.jpg)
Keith is a small town in northeast Scotland. It is located in the Moray area. About 4,700 people live there. Its Scottish Gaelic name is Baile Chèith.
Historically, Keith was part of Banffshire. The town has three main parts. These are Old Town, the oldest area; Keith, the main shopping and business center; and Fife Keith. Fife Keith used to be a separate town, but it joined with Keith over time. A river now separates these parts.
The oldest part of Keith, the Old Town, dates back to around 1180. It grew around an old bridge. This bridge was built by parents who lost their child in the river. They hoped it would prevent similar accidents. The main part of the town was planned around 1750 by the Earl of Findlater. It sits on higher ground above the river. Keith is located where the A95 and A96 roads meet.
In Keith, you can find a health center, dentist, and optician. There are also several hairdressing salons. The town has three schools: Keith Grammar School, Keith Primary School, and St Thomas RC Primary School.
The annual Keith Country Show is a big event. It takes place at Seafield Park. This show is important for farmers in northeast Scotland.
The village of Newmill is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) north of Keith.
Contents
Exploring Keith's Past and Culture
The name Keith likely comes from an old word meaning "wood." It might also be linked to the ancient Pictish area called Cé.
The Chronicles of Keith are old writings from the 1800s. They tell us a lot about the area's history. These writings say Keith was once called "Kethmalruff." This name honored Saint Maol Rubha, a saint from the early church.
During the Jacobite rising of 1745, a small battle happened in Keith. On March 21, 1746, the Jacobite Army won a fight here. They defeated a government force, killing over 20 soldiers. This showed that the Jacobites were still strong in northern Scotland. This was just before the big Battle of Culloden in April 1746.
The local language spoken around Keith is called Doric. It replaced Scottish Gaelic over time.
Keith is home to a band called The Carousels. Their song 'Marianne' was even used in a TV advertisement for Irn-Bru, a popular Scottish drink.
An old golf club in Keith started in 1901. However, it closed during the Second World War. The golf course then became farmland again.
Weather in Keith
Keith has an oceanic climate. This means it has mild temperatures and rain throughout the year.
| Climate data for Keith (142 m or 466 ft asl, averages 1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.1 (43.0) |
6.9 (44.4) |
8.8 (47.8) |
11.5 (52.7) |
14.2 (57.6) |
16.3 (61.3) |
18.7 (65.7) |
18.3 (64.9) |
16.1 (61.0) |
12.3 (54.1) |
8.6 (47.5) |
6.1 (43.0) |
12.0 (53.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 2.9 (37.2) |
3.3 (37.9) |
4.8 (40.6) |
7.2 (45.0) |
9.6 (49.3) |
12.2 (54.0) |
14.3 (57.7) |
13.9 (57.0) |
11.9 (53.4) |
8.5 (47.3) |
5.2 (41.4) |
2.7 (36.9) |
8.1 (46.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −0.3 (31.5) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
0.7 (33.3) |
2.9 (37.2) |
5.1 (41.2) |
8.0 (46.4) |
9.9 (49.8) |
9.5 (49.1) |
7.6 (45.7) |
4.8 (40.6) |
1.8 (35.2) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
4.1 (39.4) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 62.6 (2.46) |
55.9 (2.20) |
54.9 (2.16) |
59.9 (2.36) |
61.6 (2.43) |
91.6 (3.61) |
73.2 (2.88) |
81.2 (3.20) |
83.6 (3.29) |
109.5 (4.31) |
89.7 (3.53) |
65.2 (2.57) |
888.9 (35) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | 14.3 | 12.1 | 12.4 | 11.6 | 11.5 | 13.5 | 13.4 | 14.0 | 12.3 | 15.8 | 15.7 | 14.0 | 160.6 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 49.6 | 83.0 | 114.4 | 150.1 | 199.6 | 149.8 | 155.4 | 145.4 | 120.0 | 87.8 | 58.5 | 36.9 | 1,350.5 |
| Source: Met Office | |||||||||||||
Fun Things to Do in Keith
Keith is the starting point of Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail. The town has three distilleries: Strathmill, Glenkeith, and Strathisla distillery. Strathisla is one of the oldest distilleries in the Scottish Highlands. Since 1950, it has been the main office for Chivas Brothers, who make Chivas Regal whisky. Nearby, you can also find Auchroisk, Aultmore, and Glentauchers distilleries.
The Keith and Dufftown Railway is a fun way to travel. It's an 11-mile (18 km) heritage railway that goes to Dufftown.
The Keith Heritage Group has maps for walking tours. These tours take visitors through the town and the beautiful countryside.
Two big events bring tourists to Keith every year. The first is the TMSA Keith Festival. It happens on the second weekend of June. This festival celebrates traditional music with concerts, ceilidhs (Scottish parties with music and dancing), and competitions.
The second event is the Keith Country Show. It takes place on the second weekend of August. This show started in 1872. Every year, it features prize-winning farm animals and lots of family fun.
Sports and Activities
Keith has many sports facilities. There is an 18-hole golf course, three tennis courts, and a bowling club. You can also find a skate park and a large sports hall. The swimming pool has been updated with a gym and a sauna room.
Keith Cricket Club plays its home games at Fife Park. Keith also has several football pitches. Kynoch Park is the home ground for Keith F.C.. Simpson Park, owned by Keith & District Sports Trust, is where Islavale F.C. plays.
Famous People from Keith
Many notable people have come from Keith, including:
- James Gordon Bennett, Sr., who started the New York Herald newspaper.
- Colin Hendry, a well-known footballer.
- Irvine Laidlaw, a successful businessman.
- James Naughtie, a famous BBC Radio broadcaster.
- John Ogilvie, a saint from the Catholic Church in Scotland.
- John Ripley, who received the Victoria Cross for bravery.
- George Sellar, another recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Getting Around Keith
Keith railway station connects the town to Inverness and Aberdeen. The local railway also goes to Dufftown. This is part of Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail.
Stagecoach Bluebird runs bus services in Keith. These buses provide hourly transport to Inverness city center and Aberdeen Union Square bus station. They also stop at other towns along the A96.
See also
In Spanish: Keith (Escocia) para niños
