Macduff, Aberdeenshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Macduff
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 Macduff harbour |
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 Macduff
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| Population | 3,830 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NJ704646 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MACDUFF |
| Postcode district | AB44 |
| Dialling code | 01261 |
| Police | Grampian |
| Fire | Grampian |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Macduff (Scottish Gaelic: An Dùn) is a town located in the Aberdeenshire area of Scotland. It sits on Banff Bay, right across the River Deveron from the town of Banff. Macduff used to be a special type of town called a burgh. It was also the very last place in the United Kingdom where large wooden fishing boats were built. Historically, Macduff is part of the county of Banffshire.
Contents
Exploring Macduff's Past
How Macduff Got Its Name
The area where Macduff now stands was once a small settlement called Doune. The name Doune comes from the Scottish Gaelic word dùn, which means "hill fort." In 1733, a man named William Duff bought this land.
Later, in 1760, his son, James Duff, built a harbour there. In 1783, he managed to make Doune a "burgh of barony." This meant it had special rights and its own local government. He then renamed the town "Macduff" after someone he believed was his ancestor. The town celebrated its 200th birthday in 1983, and you can still see signs from that celebration today.
The Bridge Over the River Deveron
The towns of Banff and Macduff are separated by the River Deveron. This river could be quite wild! A famous engineer named John Smeaton built a seven-arched bridge over it, which was finished in 1799. Before this, an earlier bridge built in 1765 was washed away by floods in 1768. People then used a ferry, but it also got lost in a flood in 1773.
Ancient History of the Area
Evidence of very old history in the area can be found near Macduff. There's an ancient monument called Longman Hill. This is a large long barrow, which is a type of ancient burial mound.
Fun Things to Do in Macduff
Macduff has several interesting places to visit. You can explore the Macduff Marine Aquarium, which is a great place to see sea creatures. There's also a centre that teaches about the town's history with the sea. If you enjoy golf, you can play at the Royal Tarlair golf course.
COAST Festival
Every year, Banff and Macduff host the COAST Festival of the Visual Arts. This is a weekend-long event with lots of art and attractions. It usually takes place at the end of May.
Tarlair Swimming Pool
Macduff once had an outdoor swimming pool called Tarlair Swimming Pool. It's not used anymore, but some local people are working to try and save it.
Nearby Villages to Explore
Many villages close to Macduff also attract visitors. Two popular ones are Gardenstown and Pennan.
Macduff's Buildings and Structures
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Macduff Town Hall
The Macduff Town Hall is located on Shore Street. It's a historic building, built in 1884, and is considered a Category B listed building. This means it's an important building that needs to be protected.
The Macduff Lifeboat Station
Macduff has a RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeboat station. Their lifeboat is called Lydia Macdonald and is an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat. What's special about the Macduff lifeboat is how it's launched. It's the only inshore lifeboat in the RNLI that is stored, launched, and recovered using a large vehicle with its own crane. This allows the crew to launch the lifeboat from different places along the coast if needed.
Macduff and the Railways
Early Railway Connections
From 1860, Macduff was connected by the Banff, Macduff and Turriff Junction Railway. This railway later became part of the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNSR). The first station was called Banff & Macduff railway station, which was about one mile from the town.
Newer Stations
In 1872, a new station called Macduff railway station opened closer to the town centre, and the old station closed. The station before Macduff was Banff Bridge railway station, located near the bridge between Banff and Macduff. The town of Banff also had its own station, Banff Harbour, which offered another way to get close to Macduff.
Railway Closures
Like many railway lines in the mid-20th century, these lines were eventually closed. Macduff station closed by the end of 1961.
Sports and Activities in Macduff
Royal Tarlair Golf Course
Macduff is home to the Royal Tarlair golf course. This course is built on land that ends at steep cliffs, so if your golf ball goes off course, it's really gone! It's famous for its 13th hole, known as The Clivet.
Macduff Sports and Community Centre
In 2016, the Macduff Sports and Community Centre opened. It has a modern 4G AstroTurf pitch for sports like football, and an indoor hall the size of a tennis court.
Macduff AFC Football Club
Macduff also has a new football club called Macduff AFC. They play their home games at the new Macduff Sports Centre.
Famous People from Macduff
- Colin Newton (born 1977), a talented drummer.
- Sandi Thom (born 1981), a well-known singer-songwriter.
- Matthew Cooper (born 1994), a professional footballer.
- Dr Eilidh Whiteford (born 1969), a politician who was a Member of the UK Parliament for Banff and Buchan from 2010 to 2017.
- Walford Bodie (1869–1939), a magician and showman who lived in Macduff from 1905 to 1939.
