Cove Bay
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Cove Bay is a suburb on the south-east edge of Aberdeen. Prior to 1975 it was a village in the extreme north-east corner of Kincardine, governed from Stonehaven. Though simply referred to as Cove, in the 19th and early 20th centuries it was known as ‘the Cove’, becoming Cove Bay around 1912. The village itself sprung up around the fishing, with the boats berthed on a shingle beach, a gap in the rocks that afforded a natural harbour. In the mid 19th century the fishing was at its height, which, over years, has included cod, haddock, salmon, herring and shellfish; the piers and breakwater being constructed in 1878. At the end of World War I the fishing began to decline. At present only a couple of boats pursue shellfish on a part-time basis.
Though much of the past no longer survives, some architectural interest may be found on Loirston Road, such as the compact St Mary’s Episcopal Church and the coastguard cottages with their gothic-style windows, dating from 1821. Then there is the coastline, where, on the path heading south, the cliffs can be seen in all their rugged glory, and the old village tumbling towards the sea. Of course, a visit to the picturesque harbour, too, will capture the sea, in all her majestic moods.
Today Cove is a popular residential location owing to its village-like status and the nearby Altens and Tullos Industrial Estates, affording ample employment opportunities; in turn there is a quick and easy access to the A90. Amenities include several shops, two primary schools and a bus service to and from the city centre which is run by First Group. There is also the newly constructed Cove Bay Health Centre and a state-of-the-art library, with a blueprint in place for a sports centre later in the year. A drink may be had at the long established Cove Bay Hotel, or at the Langdykes, a public house to the west of Loirston Road. Other facilities include a bookmaker, hairdresser, pharmacist and Chinese takeaway. It can also boast evening classes, a drama group and two football teams in Cove Rangers, currently a member of the Highland League, and Cove Thistle, who hold amateur status.
The bustling community is far removed from a sleepy fishing village in the 1790’s of less than 300 souls; it most certainly has grown, as housing development creeps steadily to the south and west from Aberdeen. Indeed, the census records of 2001 indicate 7,157 being resident in the area, which, given the ongoing construction, would now likely exceed 8,000 of a population. Those who have settled here from urban locations may enjoy the open surroundings and freshening winds.
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[edit] History
Cove Bay is situated to the east of the ancient Causey Mounth, which road was built on high ground to make passable this only available medieval route from coastal points south from Stonehaven to Aberdeen. This ancient trackway specifically connected the River Dee crossing (where the Bridge of Dee is located) via Portlethen Moss, Muchalls Castle and Stonehaven to the south.[1] The route was that taken by William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal and the Marquess of Montrose, who led a Covenanter army of 9000 men in the battle of the Civil War in 1639.[2]
[edit] Industry
Moreover, Cove has been noted for industries such as granite, which was quarried in several locations to the south of the village. Owing to its close-grained texture, Cove granite was one of the hardest in northeast Scotland and proved highly resistant to frost, making it ideal for causeway stones or cassies used in the construction of roads. It was widely exported to cities in England, including Billingsgate Market in London. Another industrial facility is a fishmeal factory, located at the edge of precipitous cliffs. Producing quality manure and exporting to both Europe and America, the Aberdeen Fish Meal Factory was in existence from 1894 to 1937, and became locally known as "the stinker" because of the obvious processing odour. In fact, it was the late Aberdeen entertainer Harry Gordon who made it famous {or infamous) in a parody entitled A Song of Cove. There was also a railway station, which opened in 1850, closing its doors in 1956.
The town is also home to its own quarry to the south named Blackhills which is run by the firm Leiths (Scotland) Ltd or better known as Leiths, which exports quarry materials to the northeast of scotland. Leiths are currently in the process of gaining planning permission to expand their offices at Rigifa.
Also under development is the new Gateway industrial development which will see new offices to the south of the village.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ C. Michael Hogan, Causey Mounth, Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham, Nov. 3, 2007
- ^ Archibald Watt, Highways and Byways around Kincardineshire, Stonehaven Heritage Society (1985)
[edit] External links
Website - www.cove-bay.com
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