Cove Bay
Coordinates: 57°06′18″N 2°05′20″W / 57.105°N 2.089°W
Cove Bay is a suburb on the south-east edge of Aberdeen, Scotland.
Today Cove is a popular residential location owing to its village-like status and in 2015 won the Silver award for Scotland in bloom. Nearby Altens and Tullos Industrial Estates, affording ample employment opportunities. There is also easy access to the A90.
History
Cove Bay is situated to the east of the ancient Causey Mounth, which road was built on high ground to make passable this only available medieval route from coastal points south from Stonehaven to Aberdeen. This ancient trackway specifically connected the River Dee crossing (where the Bridge of Dee is located) via Portlethen Moss, Muchalls Castle and Stonehaven to the south.[1] The route was that taken by William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal and the Marquess of Montrose, who led a Covenanter army of 9000 men in the battle of the Civil War in 1639.[2]
Cove Bay was a village in the extreme north-east corner of Kincardine, governed from Stonehaven, until 1975, when it was added to the City of Aberdeen. Though simply referred to as Cove, in the 19th and early 20th centuries it was known as The Cove, becoming Cove Bay around 1912.
Industry
Cove has been noted for industries such as granite, which was quarried in several locations to the south of the village. Owing to its close-grained texture, Cove granite was one of the hardest in north-east Scotland and proved highly resistant to frost, making it ideal for causeway stones used in the construction of roads. It was widely exported to cities in England, including Billingsgate Market in London.
Fishing
The village itself sprung up around the fishing industry, with the boats berthed on a shingle beach, a gap in the rocks that afforded a natural harbour. During this time, it is estimated that approximately 300 people lived in the area. In the mid 19th century the fishing was at its height, which, over years, has included cod, haddock, salmon, herring and shellfish. The piers and breakwater were constructed in 1878. At the end of World War I the fishing began to decline. At present only a couple of boats pursue shellfish on a part-time basis.
Between 1894 and 1937, Cove also housed a fishmeal factory, the Aberdeen Fish Meal Factory, which was located at the edge of the cliffs. It produced quality manure which was exported to both Europe and America. It became locally known as "the stinker" because of the processing odour, which was highlighted by the Aberdeen entertainer Harry Gordon in a parody entitled A Song of Cove.
Amenities
Retail
Cove has just had a brand new Co-operative built just off of Earnshugh Circle.
To the west of Loirston Road is the Cove Shopping Centre, which overlooks Loirston Primary School. This houses pharmacist and Chinese takeaway/Chip shop. With other establishments due to go in 2016.
Within the new development of cove a local Sainsbury's has opened. Due to open in this area still is a cafe.
There are also 2 RS McColl newsagents. One located at Bervie Brow in Altens, and a second located on the corner of Loirston Road and Cove Road which also houses a Post Office.
Hospitality
The Cove Bay hotel is located on Colsea Road. There is also a Thistle Hotels branch located in Altens, which has 216 bedrooms, making it the largest of the three Thistle Hotels in Aberdeen.[3]
There is also a pub, the Langdykes, which can be located next to the Cove Shopping Centre.
Transport
Bus services to and from Cove and the wider area of Aberdeen are available. These are run by First Aberdeen with the numbers 3 (to Mastrick) and Stagecoach Bluebird, with numbers 7A & 8 (Both to the City Centre). Great debate has arisen since First Aberdeen stopped running a bus service from Cove Bay to Kincorth. One of the reasons being school pupils won't be able to travel to the local secondary school (Kincorth Academy) and local patients won't have a way of travelling if they are to have a doctors appointment in Kincorth. So far First Aberdeen have not had the vision to improve their service.
Healthcare
Cove Bay has its own medical centre, the Cove Bay Medical Centre. It was originally located on Catto Walk, but moved to a new facility off Earns Hugh Road. Cove Dental Care has since moved into the old surgery building.
Sport
Cove is currently home to two football teams: Cove Rangers, who currently play in the Highland Football League at Allan Park, and Cove Thistle, who hold amateur status. Sunday amateur team Cove Revolution folded in 2010. There are also many youth teams in the area that are run by Cove Youth FC. The Cove Youth Fc area SFA credited community club, organizing players from 6 years old up to 19 years old. They also have a girls section. The Cove Community Football Trust is run by Cove Rangers FC, Cove Thistle FC and Cove Youth FC. It The proposed site of Aberdeen FC's new stadium is near Cove Bay [4]
Other Amenities
A state-of-the-art library was recently built between Loirston Primary School and the Cove Shopping Centre. There are blueprints for a local sports centre to also be built in the near future.
Norwegian boat building courses are held weekly at Charleston Scout Hall.
Education
Cove has two primary schools, Charleston Primary School and Loirston Primary School. Most secondary pupils attend the nearby Kincorth Academy, but some choose to go to Portlethen Academy.
Future Developments
Aberdeen Gateway
Construction on a new Aberdeen Gateway industrial development began in 2008. It will see new offices and industrial units built to the south of the village. Current tenants at the site include National Oilwell Varco (NOV), Driving Standards Agency and Hydrasun. A Community football pitch is also inlcluded within the development.
Cove Academy
Plans for a secondary school in Cove have now been approved and will be situated alongside Wellington Road It is thought that once this is built pupils from Cove as well as Kincorth will attend this school.
See also
References
- ↑ C. Michael Hogan, Causey Mounth, Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham, Nov. 3, 2007
- ↑ Archibald Watt, Highways and Byways around Kincardineshire, Stonehaven Heritage Society (1985)
- ↑ http://www.thistle.com/hotels/united_kingdom/aberdeen/aberdeen_altens/index.html
- ↑ http://www.afc.co.uk/articles/20120112/stadium-plans_2275060_2574597
External links
- www.cove-bay.com - website
| ||||||||
Gray, Douglas W. Cove Bay - A History. ISBN 978-0-9558340-2-8.