PETERHEAD is the largest town in the Aberdeenshire administrative area with a population of approximately 20,000. It sits on the North-east shoulder of the Scottish coast, 32 miles north of Aberdeen. Since the Beeching axe of the 1960's it has not had a railway service, the nearest connection being Aberdeen, which is also served by Aberdeen International Airport.

The old part of the town of Peterhead sits on a promontory jutting into the North sea, giving water on three sides. As a result the town has largely been built on the back of the fishing industry, firstly with whaling, thereafter as a major herring port and now can claim to be Europe's largest white fish port, based on the volume of landings.

The current uncertainty with regard to the fishing industry has created more than a little unease in the town which supports not only a large fishing fleet but also numerous onshore support industries and processors. Over the last 30 years the port has seen a steady diversification towards the oil industry with an offshore supply base and numerous engineering businesses serving the offshore oil industry in the North Sea and beyond. Peterhead and its immediate hinterland abound in facilities for those wanting to escape the hurly burly of city life.

To the south is the village of CRUDEN BAY with its championship golf course and Peterhead itself has a fine links course. The east coast has miles of deserted golden beaches which can be rather wind swept for most of the year, but on a warm summer day can be like the med without the tourists.

A few miles to the North lies the LOCH OF STRATHBEG NATURE RESERVE, world famous as a stopping off point for hundreds of thousands of migrating wildfowl. With the lack of light pollution, the north east is a stargazer's paradise with wide open skies stretching over the Buchan plain.

Although the east coast itself can be barren and treeless, a few miles inland sees a different perspective with attractive villages such as LONGSIDE, STUARTFIELD, STRICHEN and OLD DEER where house prices are still a long way behind those of Aberdeen and Deeside. A large imposing detached residence can still be found at prices under £250,000 and for a three bed Estate house you could have considerable change from £200,000.

For value of money have a look at Buchan, Scotland's forgotten corner.

Please contact our Peterhead Office for more information on the local area.