Visit Peterhead

Welcome to the Peterhead Family Heritage website.

It is estimated that there are between 50 and 90 million people of Scots descent who are now scattered throughout the world. Each year more than 300,000 of this ‘greater’ Scottish family, visit Scotland to work on tracing their family roots. Whilst many of the overseas visitors are from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, key participants of this ‘roots experience’ also includes those tourists from other parts of the UK and fellow Scots as well.

The notes that follow are produced by the Peterhead Tourism Initiative (PTI) in order to help prospective family heritage visitors with some initial lines of research and background detail of the Peterhead area, prior to their visit in order that they may make the best opportunity of their time in the area. As such, these notes should not be taken as wholly definitive or specifically inclusive; the content being compiled to provide an indication of the depth and breadth of significant historical information that exists in and around the town and is not designed to replace dedicated, professional or amateur research at any level whatsoever.

The PTI, as part of this web site, has provided a message board for those who wish to seek or exchange information relevant to local families before, or following up on, any visit.

Prospective visitors to Peterhead are urged particularly to look at the accommodation pages on this site, where a wide range of facilities to suit all budgets may be found. In addition, a listing of the many local attractions and events throughout the Buchan area has been included in order that visitors can obtain the best value from any visit to the area between their various research projects.

Peterhead is proud of its heritage, and in particular, of the many associated family roots, as such we are most keen to welcome ancestral tourism in any form. Visitors coming to Peterhead to undertake ‘on the ground’ research and who stay at one of our hotels or guest houses will therefore shortly be able to avail themselves of a welcome pack to further assist their local research.

Finally, as these notes have been compiled from a number of disperse sources we would appreciate being advised of any errors or omissions in order that we can further improve the information.

General background
Located on the Buchan coast, the town of Peterhead has been established for more than 400 years.

Although there are few early maps of the town, Timothy Pont’s 1590 map, which covers most of Buchan, whilst lacking in fine detail, clearly shows the town even at that early time (See Map 1.)

The cartographer, John Jaffray was responsible for two specific Peterhead Battery maps surveyed and drawn in the 1770’s; these are more structured than the Timothy Pont map and clearly indicate the established layout of the town centre; a layout that remains largely unchanged to this day. The earliest Ordnance Survey maps, (1868) which comprise 16 maps, all at 1/500 scale, show magnificent detail of the town’s properties, however, the later (1872) Ordnance survey maps have lost much of this detail and this situation remained so largely until the 1990’s when large scale Ordnance survey plans were once again produced (this time at 1/1250 scale)


Maps The map above is a small extract from the Timothy Pont map of Buchan No.10 (circa 1590). Peterhead and the River Ugie may be clearly seen. (The full map is available from the National Library of Scotland). To the right is a small extract of the Ordnance Survey 1869 series.
It is patently clear that for the last 400+ years the records indicate that there has been a strong continuum of associated family names within the Peterhead environs, (always a welcome benefit for the family researcher). In 1590 there were less than 40 families living in Peterhead whereas the population to day is circa 19,000. During the time of the Commonwealth (1649-1660), no less than 500 soldiers of Cromwell’s army were stationed here. It is undisputed fact that Peterhead started, developed, and has continued to grow on those trades and professions associated with fishing in its various forms. The advent of whaling, although relatively short lived, brought the town great wealth. The gallant crews of these ships travelled much over the northern seas often leaving their mark in places far afield as: • Greenland, Milne Land in the north is named after Captain Milne of Peterhead. Although largely unpopulated Milne Land is now a growing tourist area offering the kayaking and snow-mobiling holidays). • Canada, from Labrador in the east to the extreme western part of the Yukon, where geographical features such as Gray Strait, Eclipse Harbour, Penny Land are to be found (Named after Captain Gray, Captain Penny and the Eclipse (Capt. Gray’s renowned whaler). • At Inuvik, a town in the Canadian North West Territories they are proud that they have a main road in their town named after the Innuit, another of the Peterhead whalers; she was wrecked in 1857.
The Hope. Captain Gray’s The Hope (1873), sister ship to the Eclipse. Arthur Conan Doyle sailed as the ship’s surgeon on the Hope. Later, the Hope was used to rescue members of the Leigh Smith Polar Expedition. (From The Whaling Years by G. Sutherland. See Reference material)
The Hope's Crew. The crew of The Hope with the rescued Leigh Smith seated in the centre, (with a top hat). (From The Whaling Years by G. Sutherland. See Reference material)
The demise of the whaling and sealing fleets led to the eventual increase in the herring fleets that occupied dominance from the late 19th century through to the 1930’s. The movement of the herring also led to close associations with the English ports such as Great Yarmouth where many herring workers flocked each year – many of whom met partners and stayed on.


Above: Extending South Harbour docks in 1908. (Is that your great grandfather next to the lady with the hat?) (From Bygone Peterhead by J. Buchan. See Reference material)