Archaeology Notes

Event ID 665873

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/665873

NJ16NW 58.00 centred 10820 69020

NJ16NW 58.01 NJ 10674 68965 North Pier, Pierhead light (beacon)

NJ16NW 58.02 NJ 10770 68998 South Pier, Pierhead light (beacon)

NJ16NW 58.03 NJ 10676 68937 North Pier (extension), Pierhead light (beacon)

For adjacent granaries (NJ 1082 6908 to 1099 6900), see NJ16NW 59.

For associated coastguard station (NJ 1083 6913), lookout and storm signal (NJ 1084 6917), see NJ16NW 88.00 and NJ16NW 88.01 respectively.

Architect: Thomas Telford, 1803-21.

(Undated) information in NMRS.

(Location cited as NJ 108 690). Burghead Harbour, built 1807-10 and improved in 1832, 1835 and 1881-7. A narrow rectangular basin, with the entrance at one end, at right-angles to the long axis, and protected by an irregular breakwater. There is a sloping beach opposite the entrance to absorb the kinetic energy of entering waves. At the seaward end of the breakwater is a pyramidal concrete light tower. The landward end of the basin is bisected by a rectangular quay, giving additional berths for fishing vessels.

J R Hume 1977

Burghead provides an interesting example of a promontory fort (NJ16NW 1) whose landward connexion gave natural shelter to shipping but the earliest substantial record is to be found in the OSA where the minister pleads (1793) for the construction of a good harbour, laying stress on the natural advantages of good shelter, fine bottom, adequate depth of water and freedom from shoals and sandbanks. The place was, at that date, a fishing village which also engaged in seaborne trade.

Improvement began in 1809 when a good harbour was built showing well-squared unmortared blocks with a moulded string-course some 4 ft (1.2m) below the top of the wall; at low-tide water-level the blocks were set vertically. The plan (in the Reports of the Parliamentary Harbour Commissioners, 1847) is dated 1835 and shows a basin about 650 ft (198m) long, aligned along the SW side of the promontory and with its entrance protected by a breakwater-jetty projecting SSW.

In 1834 this breakwater was extended by 40 yds (36.5m) with a further extension in 1839; the corresponding changes in the masonry can still be seen. A depth of 16 ft (4.8m) at high water springs was thus obtained. The report of 1847 likewise notes how the westerly aspect and sheltered position of the harbour made for safety.

In 1835 the harbour was used by some 400 vessels, 12 being owned in the village. Trade was carried on with Leith, London and continental ports, and steamers were making their appearance.

OSA 1791-9; NSA 1845; A Graham 1979.

Air photographs: AAS/97/12/G27/12 and AAS/97/12/CT.

NMRS, MS/712/29.