St Fergus Explained

Official Name:St Fergus
Country:Scotland
Static Image Name:St Fergus.jpg
Static Image Caption:Modern housing in St Fergus
Coordinates:57.5583°N -1.8364°W
Os Grid Reference:NK095521
Population Ref:
Unitary Scotland:Aberdeenshire
Lieutenancy Scotland:Aberdeenshire
Post Town:Peterhead
Postcode Area:AB
Postcode District:AB42
Constituency Westminster:Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Constituency Scottish Parliament:Banffshire and Buchan Coast

St Fergus is a village in the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. St Fergus lies from the North Sea coast and 3miles north-west of Peterhead. The Parish of St Fergus includes the remains of Inverugie Castle and Ravenscraig Castle. The church in the village was built in 1763. The church for this parish previously stood in the old kirkyard near the shore 2miles to the east. This site on the St Fergus Links is still used as a burial ground. Prior to the change in site of the church the parish was known as Longley and at a still more remote period Inverugie.

History

Historically, the of St Fergus parish formed a detached portion of Banffshire.[1] The parish was transferred to Aberdeenshire in 1891. At that time it had a population of 1,527.[2]

The beach area was classed as a risk during WW2 as a possible landing area for a German invasion. Several pillboxes and anti-tank blocks were placed along the coast. These formed part of the Rattray stop line. Anti-tank ditches are still visible today. A minefield was laid on St Fergus links and Craigwan sands. On 30 November 1941, 11-year-old John Paul, 12-year-old James Reekie and Corporal Ronald Cumbley of the Royal Engineers were killed by a landmine. Two other soldiers were also injured. On 26 March 1946, Lance Corporal Reginald Wallis, age 26,[3] and Corporal John Wood, age 23,[4] of 11 Bomb Disposal company were killed whilst clearing landmines from the area. Corporal Wood stepped on the mine detonating it.

During mine clearing operations by 11th Company Bomb Disposal, a British Empire Medal was awarded to Sgt Robert Husband. Sgt Husband assisted a platoon officer dealing with mines that had fallen down a cliff when rough weather caused a bank of sand to collapse.

The St Fergus Gas Terminal situated to the north of the village, began operating in 1977 and was officially opened on 9 May 1978. The terminal consists of plants operated by a number of different oil and gas companies, and processes up to 60e6m3 of North Sea gas per day, amounting to 15% of the United Kingdom gas demand.[5]

Transportation

The town is served by buses between Fraserburgh and Aberdeen (via Peterhead).[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ordnance Survey. Six-inch 1st edition, 1843-1882. Aberdeenshire, Sheet XV (includes: St Fergus). Survey date: 1869. Publication date: 1872. National Library of Scotland. 18 July 2017.
  2. Web site: History of St Fergus, in Aberdeenshire and Banffshire. A Vision of Britain through Time. 18 July 2017.
  3. Web site: 1920411 Lance Corporal Reginald Albert Fredrick Wallis, 11 Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers. Royal Engineers Association, Bomb Disposal (EOD) Branch. 18 July 2017.
  4. Web site: 2157702 Corporal John Miller Cowper Wood, 11 Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers. Royal Engineers Association, Bomb Disposal (EOD) Branch. 18 July 2017.
  5. Web site: St Fergus Gas Shore Station. Gazetteer for Scotland. 18 July 2017.
  6. Web site: Proctor. David. 2019-03-19. North-east hospital worker slams bus timetable changes. 2021-05-07. Press and Journal. en-US.