Places to visit------.Instead of stopping off in Edinburgh or other notable tourist area take some time and visit the following. Its only an hour and a half drive from Old Reekie. (Lodgings are cheaper too)You will want to return after your first visit.

Johnshaven:  This is the home village of author Eileen Townsend who has written numerous books and who lives there with her husband Colin. Next time you visit a library be sure to pick up one of her books, they are a very compelling read. 

As you enter the village over the old railway have a look at the garden created with the help of the BBC Beechgrove Garden team, its really nice On into the vilage and visit Murray McBay's lobster house (live lobsters and crabs) and run by Ed McBay. During the summer Johnshaven hosts a really nice fish festival. You will want to spend time at this harbour so make sure you have film in your camera. If you feel energetic why not walk along the three mile coastal path to Gourdon. Before you do that have a look at Benholm Mill . Its one of the few remaining working water mills and it also has a cafe. Check beforehand to make sure its open.

Gourdon: The Maggie Law lifeboat museum (open 2-4pm daily, manned by volunteers). Visit Lownies,Welsh, Stella Barclay's,Gove's, Ritchies or Ian Craig's fish-house for fresh fish, that's if you can leave the hospitality of the Harbour Bar, where, on a nice day ( and they are always nice days there) you can sit outside and watch the goings on at the harbour. Should you wish to stay for a few days then have a word with Bruce the host who has two new and lovely apartments of ensuite rooms also suitable for disabled looking directly onto the harbour .Should you wish to know the history of Gourdon have a word with Roy Souter, its his wife Lizzie's recipe for sea pie on the other page.  This is new and exciting There is a new fish and chip shop with restaurant upstairs with a great view over the harbour and out to sea. Today I have sampled the fish supper and its GREAT As good as Jean Allisons was.I believe in a short time you will have to book a week ahead if you want a seat Its that good.The fish cannot be fresher its from Ian Craigs next door.

To continue the walk carry on north for another mile till you come to Bervie, along what used to be the old railway line ( Happy memories of the days of steam).

Bervie: Overlooked by Craig Davey this is where King David landed and granted the the town Royal Burgh status. The Bowling green, next to the car park at the foot of Kirkburn is where you can linger and watch world class bowls by players such as Ivie Good and Onzy Milne ( Never heard of them, well, you have now. Remember where you heard it.) Its where the old tennis courts were in my youth . From there up to the town and see the old bridge which was built about in 1790's and the memorial to that famous architect of the Cutty Sark, Linton. If you are there on a Wednesday then you should take time to visit the Bervie Auction run by Dave Smith his wife and son You will enjoy the banter and perhaps come away with a bargain. In the summer drive down to the car park at the beach and you might be lucky and spot dolphins even if you dont its worth the visit for the view.

Trading Vessels in Gourdon 1894 

"Margaret & Ann" built Blyth 1884 50 ton owned by Andrew Legg . Skipper Gardener

"Sarah" Built Aberdeen 1885  59 ton owned by Wm Mollison Skipper Pert

"Rosebank" Built Montrose 1885  21 ton  David Ingles.

Fishing Boats in Gourdon in 1908

ME22 "Brothers" A.Lownie Sen & Jun.     ME59 "Golden Horn" A.Mowat   ME196 "Agnes & Mary" Mowat & Lownie. ME141 "Olive Branch" Alex & Andrew Ritchie. ME694 "Louisa" D & W Ritchie. ME113 "Mary Ann" Hugh Lownie. ME695 "Venture  H.Lownie. ME216 "Jeannie Stewart" A. Ritchie  ME84 "Memoria"  ??. ME145 " Lily of the Nile" D.Ritchie.  ME222 " Hellen" A.Ritchie  ME 163 "Violet" A.Ritchie. ME24  "Ooojah" A Ritchie.

Fishing Boats in Gourdon in 1924

ME262 "Trustful" (7ton) D Andrew.  ME263 "Marjory & ?" (1ton) James Watt.  ME 83 " Edith & Nan" (7 ton) R.Coull & M. Caird. ME101 " Frigate Bird" (8 ton) D.Criggie.  ME105 "Rely" (8 ton) M.Mowat.  ME116 "Express" (12ton) J.Lownie.  ME131 "Williamina" (12 ton) John Craig.  ME150 "Breadwinner" (31/2 ton) J.R.& J.Gowans. ME157 "Scotch Thistle" (29 ton) J.Ritchie  ME163 "Violet" (33 ton) J.Gove  ME184 "Industry"(3 ton) John Ritchie.  ME185 "Rose" (7 ton) R.Gowans & others ME264 "Venus" ( 5 ton) A.Gove.  ME196 "Agnes & Mary Ann" ( 12 ton) D. Watt & others.  ME208 "Bluebell"  (19 ton) Hugh Lownie & John Ritchie.  ME213 "May Flower" ( 2 ton ) J. Gove.  ME219 "True Vine" (10 ton) A & J Gove.  ME221"Lizzie & Anne ( 4 ton) A.Lownie.  ME223 " Maggie Bell" ( 2ton) J.Smith.  ME232 "Rapid" ( 8ton) J.W.Johnstone & J Middleton.  ME237"Guiding Star" (10 ton) J.Smith & others.  ME254 " Willie Wilson" (13 ton) W.Peters & others.  ME186 "Cygnet" ( 46 ton) E. Mowat & others  ME6 "Comfort" ( 4ton) J.W.Johnstone.  ME13 "Chrissie Criggie" (16 ton ) D.Criggie & others.  ME16 " ISIS" (11ton) W.G.Primrose & others.  ME23"Ann & Isabella" ( 4 ton) W.Taylor.  ME25" Advance" ( 4 ton) J.Lownie & others.  ME32 "Thistle" ( 7ton) A. Criggie & others.  ME37 " Comrades" (14 ton) G.Christie & other.  ME39" Glenbervie" (22 ton) R.Peters & others.  ME43" Irene" (17 ton) P& J. Johnstone.  ME44" Elizabeth" (8ton) J.&.W.Lownie.  ME45 " Margaret& Helen" ( 2ton) R.Moncur.  ME54 " Jessie" ( 1 ton) A.Forrest.  ME61 "Boy Charlie" (8ton) V.Ritchie & others.  ME63 " Lily of the Valley" ( 7ton) D.Gove & R.Dickson.  ME64" Flying Beauty" (6ton) Jas.Criggie&D.Souter.  ME65 " Happy Return" (10ton) J. A. & E. Ritchie  ME77 " Lily Dale" (7ton) C.Criggie & others.