NEWBURGH, a village and sea-port, in the parish
of FovERAN, district of Ellon, county of Aberdeen,
5 miles (S. E. by S.) from Ellon; containing 393 inhabitants.
This is a small but flourishing place, situated
on the bank of the river Ythan, at its confluence with
the German Ocean. The village is now much improved.
It contains about 120 houses, some of them very substantial
and commodious; is well provided with shops,
and has persons carrying on all the necessary trades for
the convenience of the population. There is a bone-mill,
actively employed; also eight large well-built granaries.
The soil in the immediate vicinity is a fine, strong, black
earth, producing rich crops of bear, potatoes, and turnips,
and a small quantity of oats. The river takes a serpentine
course, and is navigable for nearly a mile and a
half, affording an opportunity at low water for the loading
and unloading of vessels. It is well stocked with
sea-trout, salmon, flounders, and especially mussels: of
the last there are several hundred tons taken annually,
sold at £1. 10. per ton. The entrance to the river is
exceedingly bad, and often dangerous on account of the
shifting sands. The beach extending from its mouth
nearly ten miles south, has stake and bag nets for taking
salmon: the fish caught in the sea are haddocks, cod,
skate, and flounders; and there are two fishing-boats
belonging to the village. The number of ships belonging
to the port is eight, the aggregate burthen of which is
646 tons; the exports consist of grain and cattle, and
the imports of coal, lime, timber, and bones. A tidewaiter
resides here, and a pilot-boat is attached to the
station. There is a branch of the National Savings'
Bank, in connexion with the Ellon Bank; also a society
called the "Newburgh Shipmasters" Friendly Society".
A school has been established for twenty children of poor
fishermen, from a bequest by the late Mr. Mather; and
a weekly lecture is delivered by the parochial minister
or schoolmaster, supported by funds left also by Mr.
Mather for that purpo.se. A turnpike-road has been
lately formed leading from Meldrum into the village.