Laurencekirk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Laurencekirk
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 Laurencekirk
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| Population | 3,140 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NO7171 |
| • Edinburgh | 67 mi (108 km) |
| • London | 380 mi (612 km) |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LAURENCEKIRK |
| Postcode district | AB30 |
| Dialling code | 01561 |
| Police | Grampian |
| Fire | Grampian |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Laurencekirk ( Scots: Lowrenkirk, Scottish Gaelic: Eaglais Labhrainn), colloquially known as "The Lang Toun" or amongst locals as simply "The Kirk", is a small town in the historic county of Kincardineshire, Scotland, just off the A90 Dundee to Aberdeen main road. It is administered as part of Aberdeenshire. It is the largest settlement in the Howe o' the Mearns area and houses the local secondary school; Mearns Academy, which was established in 1895 and awarded the Charter Mark in 2003.
Its old name was Conveth, an anglification of the Gaelic Coinmheadh, referring to an obligation to provide free food and board to passing troops. Laurencekirk is in the valley between the Hill of Garvock and the Cairn O' Mount. The famous landmark of the Johnston Tower can be seen on the peak of the Garvock.
Laurencekirk was, in the past, known for making snuff boxes with a special type of airtight hinge (known as a "Laurencekirk hinge") invented by James Sandy.
Laurencekirk Golf Club (now defunct) first appeared in the early 1900s. The club closed at the time of WW2.
Services
The Edinburgh to Aberdeen Line passes through the town. The station, which closed to passengers in 1967, was re-opened on 17 May 2009. The opening of this station has affirmed Laurencekirk's status as a commuter town providing links to Aberdeen, Dundee and beyond.
Laurencekirk has three public houses; the Crown and The Royal attract the younger patrons while the Western is a regular haunt for the older locals. Recently the Alma Hotel has been converted to an Indian Restaurant, Bar and Indian Takeaway. There is also a Chinese takeaway and a fish and chip shop.
Amenities include a Co-operative and a Scotmid supermarket, solicitors and estate agent, Post Office, baker, butcher, hair & beauty salons, award winning photographers, pet shops, cafe and hardware/gift shop and 2 independent stores formerly the Spar and the Mace. The former Laurencekirk Mart houses various facilities including a children's play centre and beauty therapy premises. Civil amenities include a police station, a library and an extensive modern health centre. There are day care facilities and the old primary school offers a before and after school club for the children of working parents.
Laurencekirk Primary school was built in 1999 and Mearns Academy, the senior school, opened in August 2014. The Community Centre, Library and Police Station are housed within the Mearns Campus. There are two public parks, both with children's play areas, and in addition the memorial park houses a bowling green and a skate-board facility.
Younger people also have a drop-in centre called The Venue which is situated behind the Masonic Hall. There are two churches – a Church of Scotland and an Episcopalian Church – both of which have active congregations.
Representations are being made for a grade separated junction (flyover) at the south end of the A90 Laurencekirk bypass and a petition has been presented to parliament.
Local Landmarks
Laurencekirk has one famous landmark known as the "Johnston Tower" which is situated on the Garvock Hill, along side it is the new wind farm. It is used as the Primary School and Mearns Academy's school logo, in 2003 this was awarded a Charter Mark.
Gallery
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Laurencekirk Episcopalian Church
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Laurencekirk Church
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Western Inn Laurencekirk
Transport
The Dundee–Aberdeen line passes through the town. The railway station, which closed to passengers in 1967, was re-opened on 17 May 2009. The opening of this station has affirmed Laurencekirk's status as a commuter town providing links to Aberdeen, Dundee and beyond.
The Laurencekirk bypass opened in 1985 as part of the project to dual the road between Perth and Aberdeen. The bypass is now part of the A90. A grade-separated (flyover) junction is planned for access to Laurencekirk, eliminating a flat crossing where numerous accidents have occurred. However, in 2021 it was revealed the project had been delayed.
Notable residents
- Very Rev George Cook (1772-1845), minister of Laurencekirk and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
- Francis Garden, Lord Gardenstone (1721-1793), founder of Laurencekirk.
- James Henderson (1823-1906), influential newspaper and magazine publisher.
- Sir Robert Pearson (1871-1954), cricketer, advocate and chairman of the London Stock Exchange.
- James Andrew Robbie FRSE (1910-1977), geologist.
- Thomas Ruddiman served as the parish schoolmaster from 1695 to 1700.
- Alexander Charles Stephen FRSE (1893-1966), zoologist.
- Fred Urquhart (1912-1995), writer.
- Ryan Gauld (1995-), "The Scottish Messi".
Images for kids
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Laurencekirk Parish Church
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Johnston Tower
See also
In Spanish: Laurencekirk para niños
