Portlethen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Portlethen
  • Scottish Gaelic: Port Leathain[1]
Portlethen is located in Aberdeenshire
Portlethen
Portlethen
Location within Aberdeenshire
Population9,090 (mid-2016 est.)[2]
OS grid referenceNO9178396318
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townABERDEEN
Postcode districtAB12 4xx
Dialling code01224
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
57°03′40″N 2°07′48″W / 57.061°N 2.130°W / 57.061; -2.130Coordinates: 57°03′40″N 2°07′48″W / 57.061°N 2.130°W / 57.061; -2.130

Portlethen (/pɔːrtˈlɛθən/; Scottish Gaelic: Port Leathain) is a town located approximately 7 miles south of Aberdeen, Scotland along the A92. The population according to the 2011 census was 7,130 [3] making it the seventh most populous settlement within Aberdeenshire.

To the east of Portlethen lie three fishing villages: Findon, Downies and Portlethen Village (now often referred to as Old Portlethen). Although Portlethen has been granted official town status,[4] it resembles a residential suburb without a clear 'town centre' or focal point.

Geography[]

Portlethen is a coastal town lying along the North Sea coast. A small island May Craig is situated off shore from Portlethen. Portlethen is located in the historic county of Kincardineshire.

History[]

Portlethen was originally a small fishing village.[5] The harbour is located in what is now Old Portlethen, the original village on the coast about a half a mile east from Portlethen Parish Church.

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

Portlethen lies about two kilometres east of the ancient Causey Mounth road, the latter built on high ground to make it passable and the only available medieval route from coastal points south to Aberdeen. This ancient passage specifically connected the Bridge of Dee with Muchalls Castle and Stonehaven to the south.[6] The route was that taken by the William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal and James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose when they led a Covenanter army of 9000 men in the first battle of the Civil War in 1639.[7]

Battle of Portlethen. In November 1780 during the wars with France the British army used fencible regiments for home defence. The Sutherland Fencibles armed with muskets engaged in action with the crew of armed with muskets and Swivel guns of a French privateer. The engagement was reported in the newspapers of the period.

On Monday last Captain Kyd of the Osnaburgh Revenue cutter was chased into this harbour by a large privateer, frigate-built, and very narrowly escaped. On Saturday last in the forenoon, a large privateer of the same appearance stood in from sea, and took a vessel close in with the rocks of the cove, drove one into the 'Fishers Harbour' of the cove, and another (a brig from Newcastle bound for Inverness, Falconer, Master) in to that of Portlethen. Immediately upon this information, the magistrates applied to Colonel Sutherland of the Sutherland Fencibles for a party of his men, in order to prevent these two vessels from being carried off, plundered, or destroyed, which he most readily granted, and instantly dispatched under the command of Capt. Macleane. The party marched with surprising expedition ; but before they could reach the cove, which is three miles distant, unluckily the vessel drove ashore there, and which belonged to this town, was carried to sea by the privateer's boats. The party then proceeded to Portlethen, about three miles farther south, where they arrived just in time : for in a quarter of an hour thereafter, a large and a small boat, full of men, armed with swivels and muskets, came from the privateer (which lay not more than 350 yards from the rocks) in order to carrv off the brig. Capt. Macleane having properley disposed his men each side of the inlet, suffered the boats to get alongside the brig without molestation, and they, observing the party among the rocks fired upon them. The Fencibles immediately returned the fire, and made very good use of their arms. Several of the privateer's men appearing to be killed and wounded, and some having by this time got on board the brig ; cries for quarter were heard three or four times , which was as often granted by the captain, on condition of thsir desisting and coming ashore ; but that not being complied with, and observing a flash of fire on board the brig, (supposed to be their endeavouring to set her on fire) he called to them, that if that was repeated, and if they did not immediately come on shore, he must a ain give Orders to fire, which he did, upon observing the flash repeated, and no answer being returned. Night having now come on, the boats escaped by the darkness ; and we have good reason to believe, that Capt. Macleane would have taken them all prisoners. He prevailed on the brig's crew for a boat to be got ready for that purpose.

Mr Norval, master of the sloop that was taken in the forenoon, being ransomed, is since arrived here. He gives accounts, that he was onboard the privateer when the boats returned ; that four of their men were killed, and five wounded ; that he saw the dead bodies, and that two or three of those killed were officers, that the large boat was so much hurt, that it was with difficulty she could reach the privateer. The boats, upon deserting the brig, went off so precipitate, that they left on board several muskets and other articles ; and also most of their Oars. The privateer is the 'mRohan Soubife of Dunkirk, Pierre Vaistabel Commander, of 20 9 pounders, and 180 Men, among whom are many English, Scotch, and Irish. She has 7 or 8 ransomers, and 41 prisoners on board, but refused to ransom the vessel taken out of the cove harbour, because the master had run her on shore. None of the Fencibles are hurt. "Aberdeen". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 20 November 1780. p. 4.

On 2 September 1799 George Auldjo of Portlethen offered for safe at the New Inn, Aberdeen 'LOT 1. Is to consist of the Lands and Barony of PORTLETHEN, Mill, Mill-lands, Multures and sequels, Sea-port, Haven and Harbour of Portlethen, with the tolls, duties, customs, and anchorages thereof, and White-fishing in the sea adjacent to said lands.' [8]

Portlethen has expanded very rapidly. In the 1980s a new retail park was constructed. Portlethen is still continuing to expand into a sizable town.

Nature Reserve[]

Main article: Portlethen Moss

Much of modern-day Portlethen has been built over the Portlethen Moss Nature Reserve, formerly home to the great crested newt. The remainder of Portlethen Moss is approximately one quarter of the size it was twenty years ago.[9] Groups such as the Portlethen Moss Conservation Group were created specifically to maintain the area for the use of future generations.[10]

Amenities[]

Retail[]

Portlethen Retail Park

Portlethen has four main shopping areas: Portlethen Retail Park,[11] The Green, Muirend Court and Rowanbank Court. There is an Asda superstore in Portlethen Retail Park and two McColls convenience stores located at The Green and Rowanbank Court. Other outlets in the town include Argos, Matalan.

Food & drink[]

There are a variety of take-away and restaurant outlets in Portlethen, most of these are located within the main shopping areas. There is also a Brewers Fayre pub restaurant next to the A90 dual carriageway near Badentoy Park called The Mains of Balquharn. There are four pubs in Portlethen; the Mains of Balquharn, The Paddock (at The Green), The Leathan and The Neuk (in Portlethen Village). Portlethen Golf Club also has a bar open to the public. In addition to the Brewers Fayre restaurant, there is a Premier Inn hotel at the Mains of Balquharn that serves deep fried mars bars to order.

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

Sport[]

Portlethen has two all-weather concrete tennis courts, a bowling green with public and private sessions, a swimming pool and a private members' golf club. It is also home to the Lethen Archers club.

Portlethen Golf Club[]

Portlethen Golf Club was founded in 1981, and a championship course designed by Donald Steel opened for play in 1989. The club is owned by its members. The club's first professional player was Muriel Thomson who, when she was appointed in 1990, was the first female golf professional in Scotland. In December 2014 she was succeeded by Stuart Wilson. The course is a 6,663 yards par 72 with two par 3s and two par 5s in each half (providing a par 3 and a par 5 facing each of north, south, east and west) to complement five par 4s in each half. The club has an extensive clubhouse and practice facilities, including a covered driving range, practice bunkers, short-game area and putting green. In 2011, Portlethen won the Aberdeen and District Pennant League for the first time. The 2012 Club Champion was Keith Horne, who went on to win the North East Champion of Champions Trophy. Club Champion in both 2013 and 2014 was Clark Brechin and the championship was won by Kevin Daglish in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, Clark Brechin won the championship again, totalling eight victories.

Other amenities[]

A Youth drop-in centre was opened in April 2007, in the old library building.[12] There also various youth groups running regularly at Portlethen Parish Church[13] and Jubilee Hall.[14]

There are two main parks in Portlethen: Bourtree Park and Nicol Park. Nicol Park has a toddlers park, a skate park and two basketball courts. Bourtree Park has a football pitch and a few swings and climbing frames. There are currently plans to create a new "green area"/park in the north end of Portlethen.[15] There are also several small parks containing swings and climbing frames throughout Portlethen.

There is an integrated community library and community centre located within Portlethen Academy.[16][17] The Social Work offices of Aberdeenshire Council for the local area are located within Portlethen.[18]

Education[]

There has been a school in Portlethen since the nineteenth century.[19] The original school building is still in use today as the local police station. The school was then moved to new buildings on Cookston Road in 1860. In 1962, a new school block was opened directly across from the old buildings on Cookston Road. This is now Portlethen Primary School. There are currently plans to refurbish the Portlethen Primary School building.[20]

In 1987, Portlethen Academy was opened. The academy moved to its current new building, adjacent to the original building, in 2006.[21] In 1989, Fishermoss School, the second primary school in Portlethen, opened its doors. Construction of a third school for Portlethen, Hillside Primary School, started in spring 2016 and the new school opened in March 2017; Which is to be extended as it is already at capacity [22]

Public transport[]

Train[]

Main article: Portlethen railway station

There is an hourly stopping service between Montrose and Inverurie. At peak times, some services operate to and from further away destinations.

Bus[]

Portlethen is connected by direct bus routes to Aberdeen in the north, and Newtonhill and Stonehaven in the south.[23] Buses are operated by Stagecoach Bluebird. The X7 Coastrider only stops on the A92 while other services call at various stops within Portlethen.

Community Council[]

The Portlethen & District Community Council (PDCC) was officially reformed on 30 November 2007. It meets monthly in Portlethen Academy, normally on the fourth Tuesday of each month and considers many issues including development proposals and transport. Meetings are open to the public and offer an opportunity to raise topics of relevance to the local community.[citation needed] Portlethen Gala is a social and community event held every summer on the last Saturday in August.

Notable people[]

  • Barry Jones, a magician featured on the 2010 TV Series The Magicians, is originally from Portlethen.[24]
  • Lesley McKay, a drama teacher at Portlethen Academy, was a in-vision continuity announcer on Grampian TV in the 1980s and 90s under the name Kay Duncan.[25]

See also[]

Gallery[]

  • Looking towards to Portlethen from the coasts of

  • Portlethen Harbour and the North Sea

  • Mains of Portlethen Gated entrance

  • Craigmarn Road Street

  • A pig of Old Portlethen

References[]

  1. ^ "Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba – Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland – Database". Gaelic Placenames. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  2. ^ "Mid-2016 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ C.Michael Hogan, Causey Mounth, Megalithic Portal, ed. by Andy Burnham, 2007
  7. ^ Archibald Watt, Highways and Biways around Kincardineshire, Stonehaven Heritage Society (1985)
  8. ^ "For Sale". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 12 August 1799. p. 1.
  9. ^ "Rough Comparison image". Portlethen Moss.
  10. ^ "Portlethen Moss; (Proposed) Local Nature Reserve". Portlethen Moss.
  11. ^ "Portlethen Retail Park, Aberdeen". Completely Retail. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 December 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^ "Youth Ministry". Portlethen Parish Church. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  14. ^ "New Page 2". Old Portlethen.
  15. ^ "Portlethen Woodland – by Ken Watson ｩ 2015". Portlethen Moss.
  16. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 December 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ^ http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/search_item/index.php?service=RCAHMS&id=184883&refer=L3NlYXJjaC9pbmRleC5waHA/YWN0aW9uPWRvX3NlYXJjaCZpZD02OTA5JnBfbmFtZT1QT1JUTEVUSEVOJnBfdHlwZT1QT1BVTEFURURfUExBQ0UmcF9wYXJpc2gxPUJhbmNob3J5LWRldmVuaWNr[bare URL]
  20. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. ^ http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1389680?UserKey=[bare URL]
  23. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 November 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links[]

Retrieved from ""