Findochty

Findochty Scottish Gaelic: Am Fionn Ochdamh Scots: Finichty
Findochty Harbour, with village in background
Findochty Location within Moray
Population	1,130 (2020)
OS grid reference	NJ4667
Civil parish	Rathven
Council area	Moray
Lieutenancy area	Banffshire
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BUCKIE
Postcode district	AB56
Dialling code	01542
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Scottish Parliament	Banffshire and Buchan Coast

Findochty (pronounced /fɪˈnɛxti/, Scots: Finichty, Scottish Gaelic: Am Fionn Ochdamh) is a village in Moray, Scotland, on the shores of the Moray Firth; historically it was part of Banffshire. The village has an historic fishing harbour which remains in use.

History

Findochty developed from an older estate and coastal settlement. The ruins of Findochty Castle, to the west of the village, are the remains of a 16th-century tower house, while records of the lands of Findochty extend back to the 15th century. By the early 18th century a small harbour settlement had developed, and in 1716, fishermen were brought from Fraserburgh to establish organised fishing at Findochty.

Fishing subsequently became the principal industry of the village, with herring and white fish supporting its expansion during the 18th and 19th centuries. At its peak the harbour supported around 140 fishing boats, while the industry also provided employment in fish curing and packing, coopering, net making and fish merchanting. The harbour was substantially improved during the 1880s. Work begun in the summer of 1882 included the construction of a breakwater, a second breakwater on the eastern side of the creek and a breast wall; the scheme was completed in 1884, with Findochty fishermen contributing £3,000 towards a total expenditure of more than £11,000. A comparison of the First and Second Edition Six-inch Ordnance Survey Maps, publishd in 1870 and 1905 respectively shows how the harbour and the village developed during the intervening years.. In the Annual Report of the Fishery Board for 1909 we learn that Findochty is "declining as a herring curing station; fishermen prosecute the herring fishing from other places, coming home only at weekends.. In 1914 we learn of "an increase of three steam drifters. Majority of fishermen employed exclusively at herring fishing"

Fishery Statistics

Tonnage of vessels

Cwt of fish landed

Vessels by class

Value (£) of fish landed

Fishermen

Number of curing stations

Boatbuilding was another industry associated with the fishing fleet, with builders Herd & McKenzie were operating at Findochty by the beginning of the 20th century.

The village was connected to the railway network when Findochty railway station opened on 1 May 1886 as part of the Great North of Scotland Railway's Moray Coast line. Through trains ran between Aberdeen and Elgin and the station had a single platform, a wooden station building, a siding and a cattle loading dock. The station and the Moray Coast line closed on 6 May 1968 and the former station building was destroyed by fire in 1975.

During the late 19th and 20th centuries the importance of commercial fishing at Findochty declined as larger and deeper neighbouring harbours, particularly Buckie, attracted larger vessels and an increasing proportion of the fishing fleet. Fishing nevertheless continued on a smaller scale, while the harbour increasingly accommodated leisure craft. The harbour now consists of two basins with more than 100 berths, used by leisure/pleasure craft, including sailing vessels as well as some smaller fishing vessels, including creel/lobster boats and longliners.

Economy and amenities

Tourism and hospitality contribute to the local economy; Findochty Caravan Park is a family run site on the shore of the Moray Firth, providing touring pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents as well as holiday accommodation. The village's public house, The Admirals, near the waterfront, provides food and drink and also serves as a venue for community events and fundraising. Other local services include Findochty Pharmacy, operated by Right Medicine Pharmacy, and Findochty Post Office/KeyStore shop, situated at Seaview Road.

Culture and community

The White Mannie sculpture, Findochty

One of Findochty's best known pieces of public art is the White Mannie, a stone sculpture of a seated fisherman overlooking the harbour. Created by local sculptor Correna Cowie and unveiled in 1959, the figure commemorates members of the fishing community who died in the two World Wars. Its position looking out to sea also reflects the village's longstanding cultural association with fishing and the Moray Firth.

Findochty Town Hall acts as a principal community venue, accommodating functions, live music and performances, exercise classes, table tennis and a community café. Findochty Community Council meets monthly in the hall and supports local projects and community initiatives. Recreational facilities include Findochty Bowling Club, an outdoor bowling club on the outskirts of the village, while Findochty Primary School provides primary and early years education and has playing areas and other recreational facilities within its grounds.

Churches

There are a number of churches in this small village, including Church of Scotland, Salvation Army, & Methodist congregations. There are also the Christian Brethren at Chapel Street, and at the Station Road Hall - which has an annual Bible Conference every August drawing Christians from all parts of the British Isles and many overseas countries.

Notable person

• Isla St Clair, singer

External links

• Panorama from Findochty Pier (QuickTime required)
• grid reference NJ465685