Crovie

Crovie is a small village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, dating from the 18th century, a time when the sea was the only mode of transport to and from Scotland's shores. The smallest and most remote of Buchan cliff-foot fishing villages, it comprises a single row of houses, most gable-end to the sea. (Number 9 has ''Peter Johnstone, 1789'' cut into it.)

Unlike the similar neighbouring village of Pennan, Crovie is situated on such a narrow ledge that any cars have to be left at the south of the village. A footpath along the shore to the west leads to neighbouring village Gardenstown.

History

Crovie was established by families (crofters) who had been moved off the land to make room for the landowners' sheep. Here, they operated fishing boats for the local landlord and gradually acquired their own craft instead. The fishing industry declined in the 20th century before ceasing altogether with the North Sea flood of 1953, storm of 1953, which washed away a number of structures and forced the residents to flee. Since then most of the buildings have been turned into holiday lets.

Troup Head

Described by Charles McKean as having "one of the finest viewpoints in Scotland," Troup Head is a large landmark of red sandstone that rises to . It is a popular location for ornithology. In the mid-19th century it was recommended that bird-watchers should make a pilgrimage to the cliffs to see large numbers of kittiwake (locally ''Kitty''), razor-bill auk (''Coutter''), guillemot (''Queet'') and puffin (''Tammy Norie''). Northern gannets began a colony at Troup Head in 1988, and by 2014 it held an estimated 6,456 pairs.

References

External links

Crovie Interactive PictureAberdeenshire Tourist Board Crovie
(QuickTime required)

Villages in Aberdeenshire
Banff and Buchan
Fishing communities in Scotland

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