Cove Bay
| Cove Bay | |
  Cove Bay Cove Bay shown within Scotland | |
| Population | 7,157 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | NJ946015 |
| Council area | Aberdeen City |
| Lieutenancy area | Aberdeen |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ABERDEEN |
| Postcode district | AB12 3xx |
| Dialling code | 01224 |
| Police | Scottish |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Aberdeen South |
| Scottish Parliament | Aberdeen South and North Kincardine |
Cove Bay is a suburb on the south-east edge of Aberdeen, Scotland.
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. There is also easy access to the A90.
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]
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.
Industry
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 north-east Scotland and proved highly resistant to frost, making it ideal for causeway stones used in the construction of roads. It was widely exported to cities in England, including Billingsgate Market in London.
Fishing
The village itself sprung up around the fishing industry, with the boats berthed on a shingle beach, a gap in the rocks that afforded a natural harbour. During this time, it is estimated that approximately 300 people lived in the area. 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 were 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.
Between 1894 and 1937, Cove also housed a fishmeal factory, the Aberdeen Fish Meal Factory, which was located at the edge of the cliffs. It produced quality manure which was exported to both Europe and America. It became locally known as "the stinker" because of the processing odour, which was highlighted by the Aberdeen entertainer Harry Gordon in a parody entitled A Song of Cove.
Amenities
Retail
To the west of Loirston Road is the Cove Shopping Centre, which overlooks Loirston Primary School. This houses a Co-operative convenience store, a bookmaker, pharmacist and Chinese takeaway/Chip shop.
There are also 2 RS McColl newsagents. One located at Bervie Brow in Altens, and a second located on the corner of Loirston Road and Cove Road which also houses a Post Office.
Hospitality
The Cove Bay hotel is located on Colsea Road. There is also a Thistle Hotels branch located in Altens, which has 216 bedrooms, making it the largest of the three Thistle Hotels in Aberdeen.[3]
There is also a pub, the Langdykes, which can be located next to the Cove Shopping Centre.
Transport
Bus services to and from Cove and the wider area of Aberdeen are available. These are run by First Group with the numbers 3 (to Mastrick) and Stagecoach Bluebird, with numbers 7A & 8 (Both to the City Centre). Great debate has arisen since First Group stopped running a bus service from Cove Bay to Kincorth. One of the reasons being school pupils won't be able to travel to the local secondary school (Kincorth Academy) and local patients won't have a way of travelling if they are to have a doctors appointment in Kincorth. So far First Group have not had the vision to improve their service.
Healthcare
Cove Bay has its own medical centre, the Cove Bay Medical Centre. It was originally located on Catto Walk, but moved to a new facility off Earns Hugh Road. Cove Dental Care has since moved into the old surgery building.
Sport
Cove is currently home to two football teams: Cove Rangers, who currently play in the Highland Football League at Allan Park, and Cove Thistle, who hold amateur status. Sunday amateur team Cove Revolution folded in 2010. There are also many youth teams in the area. The proposed site of Aberdeen FC's new stadium is near Cove Bay [4]
Other Amenities
A state-of-the-art library was recently built between Loirston Primary School and the Cove Shopping Centre. There are blueprints for a local sports centre to also be built in the near future.
Norwegian boat building courses are held weekly at Charleston Scout Hall.
Education
Cove has two primary schools, Charleston Primary School and Loirston Primary School. Most secondary pupils attend the nearby Kincorth Academy, but some choose to go to Portlethen Academy.
Future Developments
Aberdeen Gateway
Construction on a new Aberdeen Gateway industrial development began in 2008. It will see new offices and industrial units built to the south of the village. Current tenants at the site include National Oilwell Varco (NOV), Driving Standards Agency and Hydrasun. A Community football pitch is also inlcluded within the development.
West Cove
Plans for 737 new houses on three sites east of Wellington Road have recently been approved by Aberdeen City Council,[5] stretching from the northern end of Charleston Road to Langdykes Road. Two of the sites will be built by Stewart Milne Homes, with the third by Scotia Homes and Persimmon Homes.
The development will include flats and terraced, semi-detached and detached houses alongside green spaces, parks, children's play areas. A new high street will also be built, offering 1,525 m2 of commercial and retail space.[6]
New Aberdeen FC Stadium
Construction on the new 22,000-capacity Aberdeen F.C. stadium by the Loch of Loirston is scheduled to begin in 2013. It is hoped it will be ready for use by the 2014/15 football season.[7] After the SNP were ousted from the local council, plans for the new stadium were placed in jeopardy after a new community sports centre which was to be used as a training facility was thrown out. Instead Councillors voted to take control of the land in order to look at other possibilities for development. Aberdeen have begun to look at alternative sites outwith the city.[8]
See also
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)
- ↑ http://www.thistle.com/hotels/united_kingdom/aberdeen/aberdeen_altens/index.html
- ↑ http://www.afc.co.uk/articles/20120112/stadium-plans_2275060_2574597
- ↑ http://www.whathouse.co.uk/news/Plans-for-737-new-homes-in-Aberdeen-approved-230
- ↑ http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CouncilNews/ci_cns/pr_covehomes_180811.asp
- ↑ "Aberdeen stadium a step closer with preferred bidder". BBC News. 18 August 2011.
- ↑ "New Aberdeen FC park 'killed off', says Stewart Milne". BBC News. 19 October 2012.
External links
- www.cove-bay.com - website
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Gray, Douglas W.. Cove Bay - A History. ISBN 978-0-9558340-2-8.