The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here: Home > Explore your past > Scotland > Fraserburgh > Fraserburgh
Massive Book Clearance - 50-70% off every Book online!

Fraserburgh

Fraserburgh photos (4 available)

Old photo of Fraserburgh

Fraserburgh maps (1 available)

Old map of Scotland

Fraserburgh books (3 available)

Fraserburgh memories

Summer Holidays from 1949 onwards

Despite its northerly location The Broch was the Summer Holiday destination for our family from my birth in 1949. My mother had been born there in Grattan Place where the Scottish side of the family had originated. They were called Summers and were deeply connected to the Fishing Industry with my Grandfather managing the George Walker business for many years.
Fraserburgh was such a change from where we lived in Buckinghamshire that the holidays were just different. I well remember the distinct smell of the harbour - the gut factory - the tarred nets on The Links. The beach was and still is quite superb with the weather somehow always being warm and sunny in July and August. At that time ...read more here
Contributed by gerald rivett

Aberdeenshire memories

Summer Holidays from 1949 onwards

Despite its northerly location The Broch was the Summer Holiday destination for our family from my birth in 1949. My mother had been born there in Grattan Place where the Scottish side of the family had originated. They were called Summers and were deeply connected to the Fishing Industry with my Grandfather managing the George Walker business for many years.
Fraserburgh was such a change from where we lived in Buckinghamshire that the holidays were just different. I well remember the distinct smell of the harbour - the gut factory - the tarred nets on The Links. The beach was and still is quite superb with the weather somehow always being warm and sunny in July and August. At that time ...read more here
A memory of Fraserburgh contributed by gerald rivett

Searching

I knew my grandfather and grandmother came from the area and we past through onto the town where they lived last - Strichen which was not too far away from New Pitsligo. I treasured the stillness and history of the area. Happy memories. Still searching for family from here Watt and Willox.

Dubhglas, Australia
A memory of contributed by First Name Last Name

My First Visit

Was overwhelmed by open spaces,woodland, fields of pasture, arable, all seemingly laid out with such precision. Those responsible for management of the land appear to take so much care. Aberdeen Angus; Pheasants; variety of sheep, many types of bird including Buzzards swooping low over our heads. Thousands of wild foul, seeing fish clearly swimming in the river close by, where our daughter her husband and two children have only recently gone to live. Not forgetting that we played cricket in there substantial sized garden, on a lovely warm sunny day, in October. It is so peaceful, apart from the occasional farm vehicle, but what can you expect out in the countryside.
What a beautifull shoreline, estuary and dunes for walks, ...read more here
A memory of contributed by Philip Lofthouse

Extracts From Fraserburgh & Aberdeenshire books

Fraserburgh, Herring Boats c1900

Fraserburgh was founded in the 16th century in a charter granted to the 7th Laird of Philorth. In 1595, a university was founded, but it lasted only a decade or so - its principal was arrested on the orders of James VI. The university never recovered and faded into obscurity. Fishing was an important local industry: in 1914 there were more than 200 boats registered here.
An extract from from"Scotland Photographic Memories".

Fraserburgh, Herring Boats c1900

With surrounding hills dominating the skyline, and substantial granite buildings, this view becomes immediately identifiable as Scotland. A boat under way gradually builds up speed, whilst a paddle steamer lies off North Pier. The turret of McCraig’s tower is clearly visible amongst the trees and surrounding buildings.
An extract from from"Picturesque Harbours Photographic Memories".

Fraserburgh, Herring Boats c1900

The zulu is considered to have been one of the finest fore- and mizzen- rigged lugger designs of the late 19th century. The craft was a hybrid, incorporating features of the scaffie and fifie, and ranging in size from 60ft to 80ft in length, though a number of 120-footers were eventually built. Zulus carried a large amount of canvas, and the bigger boats had holds capable of taking 70 to 80 tons of herring. The subject of our picture mounts a double flywheel hand capstan.
An extract from from"Victorian and Edwardian Maritime Album".

Fraserburgh, Herring Boats c1900

There are several stories as to how the zulu got its name, but the first of the type does appear to have been built around 1879 at the time of the Zulu War. It was as a direct result of changing to carvel building that the overall length of zulus increased. The masts had no standing rigging, being supported by the sail halyard and burton stay tackle. Note the mast on PF114: at deck level it appears to be at least two feet thick. The zulu beam to length ratio was in the order of 1:4. In later variants the tiller was replaced by steering wheels; steam capstans, which were used to work both rigging and the trawl, came as standard.
An extract from from"Victorian and Edwardian Maritime Album".

Fraserburgh, Herring Boats c1900

Fishing was a vital local industry in this remote north-eastern port, and in 1914 there were still more than 200 boats registered here. The Zulu vessel shown in the photograph is considered to be one of the finest fore- and mizzen-rigged luggers ever designed for the North Atlantic waters. Zulus ranged in size from 60ft to 120ft, and carried a huge amount of canvas. The bigger boats had holds capable of carrying 80 tons of herring.
An extract from from"Scotland".