Portlethen facts for kids

Portlethen (/pɔːrtˈlɛθən/; Scottish Gaelic: Port Leathain) is a town in Scotland. It is about 7 miles south of Aberdeen along the A92. In 2022, nearly 9,000 people lived here. This makes Portlethen the seventh largest town in Aberdeenshire.

East of Portlethen, you will find three small fishing villages. These are Findon, Downies, and Portlethen Village. People often call Portlethen Village "Old Portlethen" now.

Portlethen's Location and History

Portlethen is located west of the main railway line. This line goes between Dundee and Aberdeen. The town also sits on both sides of the A92 road. It is a short distance inland from the North Sea coast. Portlethen is part of the historic area called Kincardineshire.

Portlethen is about half a mile from the small fishing village now known as Old Portlethen.

An inlet on the North Sea at Portlethen, historically used as Portlethen Harbour.

The town is also about two kilometres east of the ancient Causey Mounth road. This road was the only way to travel from coastal areas south to Aberdeen in medieval times. It connected the Bridge of Dee with Muchalls Castle and Stonehaven.

Battle of Portlethen

In November 1780, during wars with France, the British army used special regiments called fencibles. These soldiers were for home defence. The Sutherland Fencibles, armed with muskets, fought against the crew of a French privateer ship. The privateer's crew also had muskets and swivel guns. Newspapers at the time reported this battle.

In 1799, George Auldjo offered the lands of Portlethen for sale. This included the Barony of Portlethen, its mill, and the sea-port and harbour. It also included the right to collect tolls and duties.

Portlethen Moss Nature Reserve

A lot of modern Portlethen has been built over the Portlethen Moss Nature Reserve. This area was once home to the great crested newt. Today, the remaining Portlethen Moss is much smaller. A group called the Portlethen Moss Conservation Group works to protect this important natural area.

What to Do in Portlethen

Shopping Areas

Portlethen Retail Park

Portlethen has four main places to shop. These include Portlethen Retail Park, The Green, Muirend Court, and Rowanbank Court.

Churches in Portlethen

Portlethen has several Christian churches.

• Portlethen Parish Church is part of the Church of Scotland. It has now joined with Newtonhill Parish Church. Together, they are called Kincardine Coastal Parish Church.
• Portlethen Christian Fellowship is an independent Christian church.
• There is also a church from the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

White-beaked dolphins south east of Old Portlethen. Whale and dolphin watching is a popular attraction in summer.

Sports and Activities

Portlethen offers many sports facilities.

• It has two outdoor concrete tennis courts.
• There is a bowling green for public and private use.
• The town has a swimming pool.
• There is a private members' golf club.
• Portlethen is also home to the Lethen Archers club.

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool is 25 metres long. It opened on June 29, 1991. Olympic swimmer Ian Black officially opened it. The Portlethen swimming pool is where the Reef Rats underwater hockey club meets regularly.

Portlethen Golf Club

Portlethen Golf Club was started in 1981 and opened in 1989. The club's first professional player was Muriel Thomson. She was the first female golf professional in Scotland. In December 2014, Stuart Wilson took over from her.

The golf course is 6,663 yards long. It is a par 72 course, meaning a good player should finish it in 72 shots. It has a clubhouse and practice areas. These include a covered driving range, practice bunkers, and a putting green.

Other Places to Visit

A Youth drop-in centre opened in April 2007. It is in the old library building. There are also youth groups that meet regularly at Portlethen Parish Church and Jubilee Hall.

Portlethen has two main parks: Bourtree Park and Nicol Park.

• Nicol Park has a park for toddlers, a skate park, and two basketball courts.
• Bourtree Park has a football pitch, swings, and climbing frames.

There is a community library and a community centre. Both are located inside Portlethen Academy. The local social work offices for Aberdeenshire Council are also in Portlethen.

Education in Portlethen

Portlethen has had a school since the 1800s. The first school building, used until 1860, is now the local police station.

• Portlethen Primary School opened in 1962.
• Portlethen Academy opened in 1987. The school moved to a new building in 2006.
• Fishermoss School opened in 1989.
• Hillside Primary School opened in March 2017.

Getting Around Portlethen

Portlethen is right next to the A92. It has a train station that connects to Aberdeen and Dundee. Stagecoach also runs bus services to and from Portlethen.

Community Life

The Portlethen & District Community Council (PDCC) meets every month. They usually meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Portlethen Academy. They discuss many local issues, like new building plans and transport. These meetings are open to the public. They are a good chance to talk about things important to the community.

The Portlethen Gala is a fun community event. It happens every summer on the last Saturday in August.

Famous People from Portlethen

• Barry Jones is a magician. He was on the TV show The Magicians in 2010. He grew up in Portlethen.
• Lesley McKay was a drama teacher at Portlethen Academy. In the 1980s and 90s, she was a TV announcer for Grampian TV. She was known as Kay Duncan.

Gallery

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  Looking towards to Portlethen from the coasts of Findon Ness

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  Portlethen Harbour and the North Sea

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  Skerry of Craigmaroinn

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  Mains of Portlethen Gated entrance

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  Craigmarn Road Street

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  A pig of Old Portlethen

See also

In Spanish: Portlethen para niños