MACDUFF, a seaport and burgh of barony (royal), in
the parish of Gamrie, county of Banff, 1 mile
(E.) from IJariir; containing 2228 inhabitants. This
place, which is situated on the eastern bank of the river
Doveron, at its influx into the Moray Firth, and nearly
opposite to the town of Ranff, was in the early part of
last century an inconsiderable fishing-village called
Down. It derived its present appellation from its proprietor,
James, 8ec(md Earl of Fife, by wh(mi it was
greatly extended and improved, aud who, in 1783,
obtained from George IH. a charter erecting it into a
royal burgh of barony, upon which he conferred the
family surname. The town is neatly built on the acclivity
of a hill rising gently from the shore; it consists
of numerous streets, and towards Banlf is an elegant
bridge of seven arches: the streets are lighted with gas.
A public library is supported by subscription; and in
the immediate neighbourhood is a mineral spring, called
the Well of Tarlain, which is much resorted to, and
with which are connected facilities for sea-bathing. A
bathing-house has been lately built, on a scale commensurate
with the wants of the increasing number of summer
visiters: it contains vapour, tepid, and cold and
warm plunge baths, fitted up with much comfort and
convenience. The surrounding scenery is enriched with
the plantations in the grounds of Duff House, of which
the town commands an interesting view. The manufacture
of ropes, sails, and twine, which last is made
into nets, is carried on to a considerable extent; and
the curing of herrings and other fish affords employment
to many of the inhabitants. There is also an establishment
at which the grinding of flour, meal, and
bones, and the sawing of timber, are prosecuted on an
extensive scale, by steam power. The North of Scotland
Bank has a branch here.
The trade of the port consists largely in the exportation
of cattle, grain, and fish, and the importation of
lime, coal, timber, and bones for manure. The number
of vessels belonging to the port is fifteen, of 1036 tons'
aggregate burthen, and mostly engaged in trading to
Leith, London, and the Baltic. The number of vessels
that annually enter the port is 200, averaging an aggregate
burthen of 11,000 tons; and the yearly amount of
shore dues averages £300. Macduff harbour, which is
the private property of the Earl of Fife, by whom it was
constructed at a great expense, is easy of access, and
one of the best in the Moray Firth; it affords safe anchorage
for vessels of any burthen, and good shelter
for the numerous boats engaged in the herring-fishery,
of which this place is a principal -station. An act for
improving the harbour was passed in 1847. A market
for provisions of all kinds is held on Tuesday; and the
inhabitants have also facility of access to the market at
Banff, held on Friday. The burgh, under its charter,
is governed by a provost, two bailies, and four councillors,
triennially elected by the resident burgesses, whose
qualification is the tenure of lands within the burgh.
The magistrates hold bailie-courts for the trial of civil
causes to a trifling amount, and of jjctty offences; they
act without an assessor, and their jurisdiction is exercised
in but few instances. Macduff is included within
the parliamentary boundaries of Banff. The town-hall is
a plain building, to which a small gaol is attached. A
penny-post has been established here under that of
Banff; and facility of intercourse is maintained by good
roads, and, for the conveyance of produce, by the harbour.
There is a church, situated on an eminence, a
neat structure with a spire, and containing S58 sittings:
the minister is ajjpointed by the Earl of Fife, and has a
sfi|)cnd of £120, and a manse and glebe. The members
of the Free Church have also a place of worship; and
one of the parochial schools is here.