The Vinery – the large glasshouse – that is seen by everyone coming into Banff, used to be part of the Duff House estate. A Diary, by an estate gardener John Donaldson, amongst lots of other interesting references, provides the information that the Vinery was built in 1873.
Duff House is believed to be the most northerly example of what was a really exciting “invention” of the 18th century.
One of the first tourists that recorded their trip around Scotland was Thomas Pennant; 250 years ago last week, 14th August in 1769, he visited Banff and recorded a bronze age urn found on the Hill of Doune.
It’s Monday morning, 22nd July 1940 – 79 years ago. The day is just getting going, just after nine o’clock in the morning – another great summer morning. A lone Heinkel bomber disturbs the peace….
Many towns around the UK have a Market Street, like Macduff; or a Market Place, like Banff. Old Market Place in Banff, between Tesco and The Spotty Bag shop, was indeed just that – a place where markets were held, although other places have also been used. However, in Macduff, it seems Market Street was not used for that purpose and the name has a different background.
A story behind the pet gravestone in Wrack Woods.
The present Macduff Harbour has not always been the only harbour. The very first detailed map of Macduff – then called “Down” – is dated 1763, and while it shows the beginnings of the present harbour – it also shows a place called “Laing’s Shore”.