Johnshaven Harbour

Average High Tide Variation:
45 minutes after Aberdeen

Latitude 56º 47'N. Longitude 02º 20'W

Admiralty Chart
No. 210

Harbourmaster (part-time)
Mr Richard McBay
Welch Cottage
19 Main Street
Johnshaven
Kincardineshire
Tel: 01561 362262 (home)

• General Information
• Harbour Depths
• Facilities
• Charges

General Information

In the 18th Century Johnshaven was one of the largest fishing communities in Scotland.

There were 26 boats and at least 130 fishermen in 1722.

The largest boats with a crew of 10 were used only for 3 months in the summer for distant cod fishing, the smaller boats with a crew of eight the rest of the year, there being 13 boats of each type.

The most southerly of Aberdeenshire's seven harbours, Johnshaven has two basins separated by a central jetty. Extending to 5800 square metres with 330 metres of quay-side, the harbour offers quayside fresh water and there is a slipway available. Around 20 boats have regular moorings there and some are involved in commercial shell fishing.

Johnshaven - Population 675

Johnshaven and neighbouring Gourdon are the smallest villages with Local Authority - owned harbours.

Johnshaven, which retains many predominantly fishing characteristics, also offers pleasant coastal walking as well as an attractive public park.

Lobster fishing is carried out locally and live lobsters can be seen – but not touched – stored in water tanks near the harbour before shipment to the Continent.

Harbour Depths

The more sheltered inner basin offers three to six metres of water at high tide but the harbour dries out at low tide and it is advisable to check access with the Harbourmaster.

The very narrow entrance through a rocky foreshore can be difficult in winds from between North-East and South-East.

Facilities

• caravan and camping site
• bowling
• tennis
• putting
• Post Office
• shops
• hotels

The Schedule of Rates and Dues for Aberdeenshire Harbours and details of the Rover Ticket can be found on the Charges page.