Banff and Macduff Totally Explained

Everything about Banff Scotland totally explained

Banff (Gaelic Banbh) and Macduff (Gaelic MacDhuibh) are neighbouring towns and former burghs in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Until 1975 Banff was the county town of Banffshire.

History and attractions

Banff lies on the west bank, and Macduff on the east bank of the mouth of the River Deveron, around 25 miles west of Fraserburgh and 45 miles north of Aberdeen.
   Banff's first castle was built to repel Viking invaders and a charter of 1163 shows that Malcolm IV was living there at that time. During this period the town was a busy trading center in the "free hanse" of Northern Scottish burghs, despite not having its own harbour until 1775. The first recorded Sheriff of Banff was Richard de Strathewan in 1264, and in 1372 Royal Burgh status was conferred by King Robert II. By the 15th century Banff was one of three principal towns exporting salmon to the continent of Europe, along with Aberdeen and Montrose.
   The settlement of Doune on the east bank of the river was purchased in 1733 by William Duff, who became the first Earl of Fife. In 1760, James Duff, the second Earl built a harbour there and in 1783 succeeded in promoting Macduff to a Burgh of Barony. The town celebrated its bicentenary in 1983, and the signs erected in that year still stand on the main approaches to the town (most visibly, a large sign next to the Banff Bridge on the Macduff side).
   The modern-day towns have an aquarium, two golf courses (Duff House Royal and Royal Tarlair), beaches, and were home to the Colleonard Sculpture Park which is now relocated in Aviemore. COAST Festival of the Visual Arts is an annual festival of weekend-long events and attractions in both Banff and Macduff. It runs over the bank holiday weekend at the end of May each year.
   The townscape, which is one of the best-preserved in Scotland, has many historic buildings, including fragments of the former royal Banff Castle, a museum in Banff donated by Andrew Carnegie, and a maritime heritage centre in Macduff. Close by is Duff House, designed by William Adam in 1730, and one of Scotland's finest classical houses. It is open to the public as an out-station of the National Gallery of Scotland.
   Also open to the public are the Wrack Woods, due south of Duff House. In the woods, there's an old ice house, a mausoleum, and a wonderful walk to one of the most beautiful secluded spots in the area. The place is known as the Bridge of Alvah, and a single-arch bridge spans the river Deveron. The river Deveron is known for its great fishing for salmon and trout.
   Many of the nearby villages also contribute to tourism in the area; in particular Gardenstown and Pennan. Banff's Tourist Information Centre opens during the summer and can be found by St Mary's car park adjacent ot St Mary's Parish Church on Banff's High Street. Their audio tours provide an insight into the town, its history and architecture.
   Banff and Macduff don't quite merge, but are separated by the valley of the River Deveron. This unpredictable river was finally tamed by the seven arched bridge completed in 1799 by John Smeaton. An earlier bridge had been built in 1765, but was swept away in 1768. The old ferry was brought back into use, until it was lost in a flood in 1773.
   Though no longer a commercial port, the harbour has been subject to redevelopment during the latter half of 2006 and now has a marina which serves leisure traffic and small fishing boats, the newly constructed marina is only accessible +3hrs mlw due to the heavy and rapid siltation.
   The Canadian Banff National Park and town of Banff, Alberta are named after Banffshire.

Railways

Banff and Macduff were served by the Banff, Portsoy and Strathisla Railway (BPSR) from 1857 (to Banff Harbour station), and also the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNSR) from 1860 (to Banff & Macduff station, almost a mile from the town). The GNSR later took over operation and then ownership of the older BPSR line. In 1872 the line to Banff & Macduff station benefited from replacement stations closer to the town centres; Macduff and Banff Bridge opened, and the original station closed on 1 July 1872. All the lines suffered from mid-20th century railway cuts, with Macduff and Banff Bridge stations closing by the end of 1961, and Banff Harbour (known simply as Banff from 1928) closing on 6 July 1964.

Sport

Banff and surrounding areas have a local football team, Deveronvale F.C., and a rugby team, Banff RFC. Duff House Royal Golf course is bordered by the River Deveron and Duff House.Some interesting holes which can be difficult depending on the wind. Macduff also has a golf course known as Royal Tarlair. Built on land which ends on precipitous cliffs, lost balls really are lost.

Etymology

The name "Banff" is uncertain but may be derived from the Scottish Gaelic Banbh or Banbha, a sow, buinne, a stream, or a contraction of Bean-naomh, the holy woman (as is reflected in the town's coat-of-arms). Currently, the languages spoken in the town and in its vicinity tend to be the Doric dialect of Scots, and English.

Notable residents

Further Information

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