Publication Account

Date 2013

Event ID 976867

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Publication Account

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/976867

The harbour, medieval in origin, was improved by John Gibb in 1838-9 and then enlarged by James Leslie in 1841-46 to contain an area of 2.4 hectares within sea-walls of red sandstone. The old harbour of 1725 was converted into a wet dock in 1877 - the wrought iron gates are now kept open. A patent slip by Morton of Leith (the name cast into the rails) uses original gearing, coupled to a motor, in place of the engine cylinder, to haul fishing boats at McKay’s boatyard. This and a mass concrete sail loft was repaired through a Townscape Heritage Initiative. Note also the corrugated iron roofs of the “Black Shed” and of the Lifeboat House (lifeboat station was founded in 1803: slip and building are c1900).

M Watson, 2013