Gardenstown

Gardenstown can be found clinging to the terraced ledges that descend the steep south-east side of Gamrie Bay, and is the largest of the three villages situated along this north facing Aberdeenshire coast, the other being Crovie and Pennan. There is a butcher, baker, hotel, restaurant, post office etc all in the village.

Gardenstown is worth exploring, and walking around the terraces rising above the harbour involves negotiating the steep gradients of the roads or the extensive network of flights of steps up the hillside.

Originally known as Gamrie, Gardenstown was founded in 1720 by Alexander Garden specifically as a fishing village. On the hillside to the west, (viewable from the kitchen window of Gannet Cottage), are the remains of the Church of St John the Evangelist. This predates the village, being built in 1513, and celebrates an even earlier event, the defeat of the Danes here is 1004.

By the 1920's Gardenstown and Crovie together housed around 250 fishermen and 50 fishing boats were based here. This number declined over the following years in the face of competition from the larger and more effective vessels that could operate from other larger ports.

All in all this is a fascinating place...