Gourdon (/ˈɡʊərdən/) nicknamed Gurdin by the population, is a coastal fishing village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, south of Inverbervie[2] and north of Johnshaven, with a natural harbour.[3] Its harbour was built in 1820.[4] It was formerly in Kincardineshire. It is known for its close community and unique local dialect. It is a picturesque harbour village that boasts lovely views along the pathway to Inverbervie.
Gourdon
| |
|---|---|
 Gourdon overlook | |
  Gourdon Location within Aberdeenshire | |
| Population | 850 (2022)[1] |
| OS grid reference | NO825707 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MONTROSE |
| Postcode district | DD10 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
History
editFishing
editGourdon was a thriving fishing community.[5] While most of the fishing has moved to other ports, there is still a fishouse in Gourdon, as well as some small fishing vessels at the harbour.
Mills
editThe last surviving flax mill in the United Kingdom was located at Selbie Mill in Gourdon. It had formally been owned by the Sidlaw group of companies, but was latterly owned by London-based company G and F Spinners. It had opened in 1902, and it closed on 30 May 1997. At its peak, it had employed over 200 people, but was down to about 40 when it shut its doors.[6]
At one point there had been a number of textile factories in and around Gourdon, and neighbouring Inverbervie. They had produced flax, as well as linen and jute for UK markets.
Railway
editGourdon was served by Gourdon railway station, on the Montrose and Bervie Railway from 1865 to 1951. Much of the former line of the track to Bervie has largely been turned into a tarmac path, popular with locals to walk along the beach front. The path southwards to Montrose is largely a dirt and gravel track. The site of the former Gourdon station is now part of a housing development.
Community groups
editGourdon contains many prominent community groups:
Gourdon Mission Hall
Gourdon Mission Hall [7] is linked to Arbuthnott, Bervie and Kinneff Church. Services are held every Sunday at 6pm. The parish minister, Rev Andrew Morrison, takes the service once a month - usually the first Sunday of the month - with guest speakers taking the other weeks. In 2018, the Mission Hall celebrated its 150th anniversary.
Notable residents
edit- John Ritchie Cargill, 1892–1981, able seaman on the RMS Carpathia during the rescue after the sinking of the Titanic.
- Reg Morrison, 1932–2006. Aberdeen Football Club goalkeeper.
Local radio
editAlongside the commercial enterprise of the local newspaper, The Mearns Leader, Gourdon has a Local Community Radio Station in Mearns FM. Broadcasting from nearby Stonehaven in the Townhall, Mearns FM helps to keep Gourdon up to date with local and charity events, as well as playing a wee bit of music. Staffed completely by volunteers, Mearns FM is run as a not for profit organisation, broadcasting under a Community Radio licence, with a remit to provide local focus news events and programming. Jointly funded by local adverts and local and national grants. Mearns FM has one of the largest listening areas of any Community Radio Station owing to the Mearns' distributed population, Mearns FM was set up to try to bring these distant communities together.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ Gourdon. Gazetteer for Scotland.
- ^ Gourdon at Undiscovered Scotland.
- ^ Aberdeenshire Council: Gourdon Harbour Archived 2007-04-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Gourdon from The Gazetteer for Scotland". www.scottish-places.info. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "Last flax mill to close down | HeraldScotland". 16 February 2023. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "ABK Church | You Belong Here |".
- ^ "Mearns FM - From Mountain To Sea".
External links
edit- Gourdon at Knowhere
- Photographs of Gourdon
Media related to Gourdon, Aberdeenshire at Wikimedia Commons
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