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Just a few miles from Stonehaven lies the village of Gourdon one of the few natural harbours along this stretch of coast
The original harbour was simply a gap between rocks, but in 1819 Thomas Telford built what is now known as the Old Harbour or West Harbour. This was expanded in 1842 and another harbour added in 1859. The harbours were most recently renovated in 1960.
Visitors are quick to recognise Gourdon as a working fishing port as you notice that lobster pots are piled around the harbour and Ian Craig, a traditional fish merchant still fillets and smoke fish in sheds on the harbourside. Fish is sold from fish vans across the area. A lot more Scottish ports used to be like Gourdon, and sadly it seems that fewer will be in future.
The village of Gourdon lies behind the harbour and rises in terraces up the hillside towards the line of the A92, which bypasses the village. Heading north towards Stonehaven you pass the coastal town of Inverbervie.
Close to the harbour is the small building housing the "Maggie Law", a shallow draught surfboat boat capable of assisting vessels having difficulty entering the harbour. From its launch in 1890 until it ceased operation in 1930 it saved 36 lives. The Maggie Law supplemented the RNLI Lifeboats which were based at Gourdon from 1878 until 1969, when it was decided coverage could be maintained by the lifeboats a Aberdeen and Montrose.
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