Overview of Macduff

A resort town in the N Aberdeenshire parish of Gamrie, situated on the Moray Firth at the mouth of the River Deveron opposite Banff. Originally known as the 'sea toune' of Doune, early attempts to develop the site as a seaport failed despite its designation as a burgh of barony in 1528. Economic growth eventually came in 1783 when James Duff, Lord Macduff and 2nd Earl of Fife, built a harbour and changed the settlement's name to Macduff. Lord Fife's planned burgh town outgrew neighbouring Banff and today has thriving fishing, boat building, soft drinks, fish processing and tourist industries. The Customs House dates from 1884 when it was transferred across the River Deveron from Banff.