This urban route takes in the streets and waterfront of the town of Peterhead, uncovering many fascinating tales from its history. There's a chance to visit a fine beach and great views out to see, as well as the town's monuments and buildings.
Bog Factor
Town pavements.
York Street Car Park, Peterhead.
Peterhead is well served by bus.
NK129461
The walk is described from the York Street car park in the centre of Peterhead. Begin by leaving the car park and turning right along York Street. When the junction with St Peter Street is reached, go straight across, passing around the right hand side of the council and police building opposite. Curve round to the left on the far side of this building into Errol St. Ahead is Trinity Church - known as the Muckle Church; it has a beautiful window inside known as the 'Toffee window' - it commemorates the Women's Guild and was paid for by selling toffee. Continue to the left of the curch along Errol Street, which soon leads ahead into Marischal Street - Peterhead's main pedestrianised shopping street.
Note the archway on the right that leads into Proclamation Pend - a fine example of the town's old pends or alleyways. Don't pass through, instead keeping ahead along Marischal Street, passing the Fisher Jessie sculpture that commemorates the lives of the women of the fishing industry including those who once carried creels filled with herring from the fishing boats into the countryside, to be exchanged for farm goods. Keep ahead, passing a statue of Field Marshal Keith to reach Broad Street. At the heart of the street is the Reform Monument - a column topped with the arms of Earl Marishal; it was built to celebrate the passing of the Reform Act in 1832. Turn right at the monument to head down Jamaica Street towards the harbour.
Keep ahead until the harbour is reached, then turn left along Harbour Street. Note the cannon - a replica of a Russian cannon looted during the Crimean War. The first cannons were installed here in 1588, salvaged from a Spanish galleon. Continue ahead along Harbour Street until a junction - ignore Bridge Street which crosses over the harbour to the right, instead turning left along Seagate, keeping right at the fork.
Look out for the dry dock on this right. Known as the Graving Dock, this was built in 1855 to service whaling vessels; the water was pumped out powered by a team of six horses. Beyond it, the more modern ship lift is used to work on today's boats. Continue by the harbour along Seagate - but be sure to read the info board on the opposite side for the fascinating tale of a German U-boat that was sunk after it was forced to surface due to a toilet flush malfunction.
After the end of the harbour, turn right (signed for Keith Inch) but then left at the mini Roanhead's lighthouse to continue along Esplanade - with the rocky shoreline on your right. Continue along Skene Street and then bear right onto Gable Braes.
The area now becomes more suburban, but the walk continues along the lovely grassy parkland between the houses and the sea. On the right you may notice the Gadle Braes well - built in 1824, it was a failed attempt to revive the town's fortune as a fashionable spa, as patrons headed to Europe resorts; Peterhead instead became a fishing town. When a lower promenade forks right from the road, take it to continue with the sea immediately on your right. The route nows passes Buchanhaven Harbour; a few small creel boats do still operate from Buchanhaven.
Continue along the seaside walkway as it turns inland beside the tidal River Ugie. There are small sandy beaches here - and finer beaches over on the opposite side of the river. The Town Trail turns left just before the George Birnie memorial bridge is reached - but if you fancy a beach visit, you could detour across it.
Otherwise, turn left up the tarmac ramp before reaching the bridge. The building on your left is the Old Salmon Fish House - built in 1585 and said to be the oldest working smokehouse in Scotland. Operated today by Ugie Salmon Fishings, it has a small shop from which you can purchase their smoked salmon and other products. Head inland past the garages along Golf Road, then turning left along Ugie Road along the far side of the green space. The road passes the Ugie Hospital; the site once had eight huts used to house patients during the Bubonic Plague. Keep along the road for another 400m or so, passing the Heritage Centre and then a few local shops. After the shops, turn right onto Hay Crescent, with the playing fields on your left.
Continue along the road, passing alongside the Morrison's Supermarket, to reach the main A982 road (Queen Street). Turn left along this, crossing to the far side and continuing past the leisure and community centre. Take the next right after this onto Prince Street. This soon swings left to head back towards the town centre. Keep straight ahead at two cross-roads, then turn left at the third onto St Peter Street. The second street off on the right is York Street - location of the car park at the start of the walk.
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