Fraserburgh

Fraserburgh, a fishing town and port in the NE. of Aberdeenshire, 47 miles N. of Aberdeen by a branch line (1865). It stands on a bay, 2½ miles wide, immediately south of Kinnaird Head (the Promontorium Tacxalium of Ptolemy), on which are the Frasers' old castle, a lighthouse now, and the mysterious 'Wine Tower,' with a cave below. It was founded as Faithlie in 1569 by Alexander Fraser of Philorth, Lord Saltoun's ancestor, and in 1601 was erected into the free port, free burgh of barony, and free regality of Fraserburgh. There are a handsome town-house (1855), a restored market-cross, a public hall, &c.; but hardly a trace remains of an abortive university (1592). The harbour has been much improved and extended since 1855, and the rapid growth of the place is due to the great development of the herring-fishery, the fishing-boats having increased from 389 in 1863 to 677 in 1887. Pop. (1861) 3472; (1891) 7466.