ROSEHEARTY, a sea-port (small), in the parish of
PiTSLiGO, district of Buchan, county of Aberdeen, 4
miles (W.) from Fraserburgh, and 18 (E. byN.) from
Banff; containing 750 inhabitants. This place, which
is situated at the northern extremity of the parish, upon
a point of land projecting into the Moray Firth, was in
the reign of Charles II. erected into a burgh of barony,
and invested with all the usual privileges and jurisdiction:
but its charter is not now available, nor is there a
public officer of any kind appointed. Rosehearty appears
to owe all its importance to its harbour, and to
the fisheries, which are carried on to a considerable extent.
The fish principally taken here are cod, ling, haddock,
and skate; and the produce is sent to Glasgow,
Edinburgh, and London, in vessels which on their return
bring coal for the supply of the district. About
forty boats, also, each having a crew of five men, or four
men and a boy, are regularly employed in the herringfishery,
which is attended with great success. The fishermen
pay to the superior of the burgh, John Duff Dingwall,
Esq., £1 per annum for the privileges of landing
their fish, and finding bait, and for forming their beds
for mussels. Three vessels belong to the port, and the
harbour is accessible for vessels of from eighty to 100
tons' burthen; the trade is chiefly the export of fish and
grain. There is a post-office under that of Fraserburgh,
with which it has daily communication; and a market
for provisions of all kinds is held weekly, on Saturday.
The incumbent of the parish officiates at Rosehearty,
on Sunday evenings, to a congregation of about 300
persons.