Salvation Data 0800 075 0720

Peterhead

Peterhead (Scottish Gaelic: Ceann Phàdraig) is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is Aberdeenshire's largest settlement, having a population of 17,947 at the 2001 Census^[2] and estimated to have fallen to 17,330 by 2006^[1]. Peterhead sits at the easternmost point in mainland Scotland. Peterhead is often referred to as 'The Blue Toon' and people who were born there as Blue Tooners. More correctly they are called Bloomogganners, supposedly from the blue worsted stockings that the fishermen originally wore.

History

Peterhead was founded by fishermen and was developed as a planned settlement. In 1593 the construction of Peterhead's first harbour, Port Henry, encouraged the growth of Peterhead as a fishing port and established a base for trade. A lifeboat station was first established in 1865.^[3] Since early times Peterhead has received a portion of its water supply from Morris Wells.^[4] Peterhead convict prison was opened in 1888, gaining a reputation as one of Scotland's toughest prisons. A new phase of growth was initiated in the 1970s with Peterhead becoming a major oil industry service centre, and the completion of the nearby St Fergus gas terminal. At this time, considerable land holdings were allocated for industrial development.

In recent times, the town has suffered from several high profile company closures and is facing a number of pressures, including Common Fisheries Policy reforms. However, it retains a relatively diverse economy, including food processing, textiles, service industries and, still importantly, fishing. (Over 90,000 tonnes of fish, with a value of around £60m are now landed at Peterhead, which is still also base to over 550 fishermen.) Peterhead Bay Authority plan to extend the northern breakwater as a stimulus to the town's economic development. In addition, to assist with business diversification and town centre environmental improvements, the 'Peterhead Project' initiative under the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership brings together the Council, Scottish Enterprise Grampian, Communities Scotland, commerce and community representatives.

Until April 2005, the Royal Air Force station RAF Buchan was located near the town.

Peterhead Academy

Peterhead Academy houses around 1,400 pupils and the school is split up into 7 houses (Arbuthnot, Buchan, Craigewan, Grange, Marischal, Ravenscraig, Slains), with all the names associated with areas of the town. The school has pupils coming from surrounding villages such as Boddam, Cruden Bay, Hatton, Inverugie, Rora, St Fergus and Crimond. The Academy's moto is "Domus Super Petram Aedificata" (A House Built on a Rock).

Primary schools

Peterhead has seven primary schools (Clerkhill, Buchanhaven, Meethill, Dales Park, Central, Burnhaven, Anna Ritchie).

Transport

Peterhead has a number of in-town and out-of-town bus services.

Peterhead once had two railway stations Peterhead railway station and Peterhead Docks railway station, but both are now closed.

Blueprint for Growth

In 2008, a Blueprint for Growth was unveiled - the plan to extend the town beyond its bypass. The plan involved 4500 homes, 4 new primary schools, a new secondary school and a new hospital to be built within the next 20-25 years - hoping to bring 9000 people to the town.

Economy

Wood Group Pressure Control

Score Europe & Score Energy, Engineering

Scottish Prison Service (HM Peterhead Prison), Prison Services

ASCO Plc, Oil Services

Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd, Oil Company

ASDA (Walmart), Retailing

Morrisons Supermarket Plc, Retailing

Smiths of Peterhead Ltd, Woollen Manufacturing is now demolished to make way for more stores

Fresh Catch Ltd, Fish Processing

Forman Fish Ltd, Fish Processing

Taylor Crane Company Ltd, Crane Hire

Waterside Inn (Swallow Hotels), Hotel Services

Macrae Foods Ltd, Fish Processing

Barchester Healthcare Ltd (Kirkburn Court Nursing Home), Nursing Home Services

Community Media Ltd, Printing and Publishing

Strachans Ltd, Grocery Wholesale

Ken Cassells Ltd, Fish Processing

The Palace Hotel (Peterhead) Ltd, Hotel Services

Alexander Buchan Ltd, Fish Processing

Dales Engineering Ltd, Steel Fabrication

Precision Powertrain (UK) Ltd, Transmission Manufacturing

Stagecoach Bluebird, Bus Services

Department of Social Security, Government Benefits Office

Aberdeenshire Council, Local Government Services

Grampian Primary Care NHS Trust, Health Services

Peterhead Box Company Ltd, Box Factory

Natural Skincare Factory, Healthcare Products

Tourism

The harbours, maritime and built heritage are the town's principal tourism assets. Recent initiatives include investments in the Peterhead Bay area, which have included the berthing of cruise ships in the harbour. A number of projects are planned under the auspices of the Peterhead Project initiative, including tourism strategy development, enhancement of existing attractions, measures to improve the town's physical attractiveness, and improved marketing and promotion.

Sport

Peterhead F.C. are a Scottish Football League side who currently play in the Second Division.

Twin town

Ålesund, Norway