Cove Bay

Cove Bay Scottish Gaelic: An Cobh Scots: Cove Cove
Cove Bay Location within the City of Aberdeen
Population	8,170 (2022)
OS grid reference	NJ946015
Council area	City of Aberdeen
Lieutenancy area	Aberdeen
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ABERDEEN
Postcode district	AB12 3
Dialling code	01224
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Aberdeen South
Scottish Parliament	Aberdeen South and North Kincardine

Cove Bay, known locally as Cove, is a suburb on the south-east edge of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Today Cove is home to around 8,000 people. It is a popular residential location owing to its village-like status. It is a quiet suburb at the Southern edge of Aberdeen City and in 2015 won the Silver award for Scotland in bloom. Altens and Tullos Industrial Estates offer nearby employment opportunities. There is also easy access to the new AWPR 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. 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.

Historically in the extreme north-east corner of Kincardineshire, until 1975 it was governed from the county town of Stonehaven, 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.

Cove Bay railway station opened in 1850 and operated until 1956 for passengers and 1964 for goods. The line remains in use and is now part of the Dundee–Aberdeen line.

St Mary's Church was opened in 1864, and also served as the local boys' school until the 1890s when Cove School was built nearby. Cove School closed in 1981, when the newer Loirston Primary School was opened, becoming a community centre known as Loirston Annexe.

Due to a dwindling, ageing congregation, the decision was made to close the church in April 2020. Some members of the remaining congregation now attend Saint Ternan's Church, near Muchalls.

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.

Cove Bay harbour has been the centre of a legal battle between a local landowner, who purchased part of the harbour in 2001, and the local fishermen who use the harbour. Attempts were made by the landowner to get the fishermen to remove their boats, as the shore was now considered private land meaning the fishermen could no longer store their equipment and boats on the shore. This legal battle ended in 2018, with the landowner succeeding. Public right of way for vehicles and pedestrians is maintained down Balmoral Terrace, leading to the harbour, and the pier itself.

In 2019, many of the remaining boats on the shore and the storage shed were set ablaze in what was thought to be a deliberate arson attack.

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 a Co-operative on the corner of Earn's Heugh Road and Loirston Avenue. There is also a RS McColl newsagent located at Bervie Brow in Altens, and a Premier Express And Postoffice located on the corner of Loirston Road and Cove Road.

Located outside the newsagents at Bervie Brow, a small pizza takeaway, The Wood Fired Kitchen, is housed in a trailer. They are open Thursday - Sunday, 4pm - 8pm.

To the west of Loirston Avenue is the Cove Shopping Centre, which overlooks Loirston Primary School and the local library. This houses a pharmacist, Wee China Takeaway, Café Confidence, Carnie & Poole hairdresser and embroiderers Funky Panther.

Within the newer Charleston development of Cove there are several shops. A local Sainsbury's, a hairdressers/beautician (I-Candy), barbershop (The Cleavin Barber Club), gift shop (Luxe), tanning salon (Tan Allure) and a martial arts studio (Aberdeen Martial Arts Group).

Jamieson's Farm Shop is open on a Sunday from 10am - 2pm. This is located on their farm, near Stoneyhill Terrace, in the old village. They sell locally grown fruit and vegetables, alongside locally produced meats and seafood.

A second farm shop, Sergeant's Croft, is located along South Loirston Road, behind Loirston Green. They sell a variety of eggs from their birds.

A garden nursery is located behind the Cove Bay Hotel, known as Cove Bay Nurseries. They are open Sunday - Thursday, 10am - 4pm.

Hospitality

The Cove Bay hotel is located on Colsea Road, which caters to both guests and the public. Live sport is shown in the public bar area, which is dog friendly. There is also The Aberdeen Altens Hotel in Altens, which has 216 bedrooms. There is also a pub, the Langdykes, which is dog friendly and hosts all live sport and promotes live music every Saturday evening. The Langdykes also houses an indian takeaway, Bombay Palace Cove. The Langdykes was opened in 1985 and was originally called The Snooty Fox. It is located next to the Cove Shopping Centre.

Transport

A bus service to and from Cove and the wider area of Aberdeen is available. This is run by First Aberdeen with the numbers 3, 3A and 3B. An additional service, the 31, is run on school days for pupils attending Lochside Academy.

Healthcare

Cove Bay has its own medical centre which also has an NHS dental practice, the Cove Bay Medical Centre. Originally located on Catto Walk, moved to a new facility accessed from Earns Heugh Road. Bupa Dental Care Cove Bay has since moved into the old surgery building on Catto Walk.

Sport

There is a new Balmoral Stadium in Cove located beside Wellington Circe that replaced the now demolished Allan Park. Cove is currently home to two football teams: Cove Rangers, who currently play in the Scottish League One 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.

Other Amenities

A state-of-the-art library was built in 2006 between Loirston Primary School and the Cove Shopping Centre.

A community centre, the Loirston Annexe, is located next to Catto Park. This is often used for events and private hire.

Education

Cove has two primary schools, Charleston Primary School (opened 2004) and Loirston Primary School (opened 1981). Most secondary pupils attend the nearby Lochside Academy, but some choose to go to Portlethen Academy. Charleston Primary school also contains a nursery. There is also a private nursery located next to Catto Park.

Future developments

Aberdeen Gateway

Construction on a new Aberdeen Gateway industrial development began in 2008. New offices and industrial units have been built to the south of the village. Current tenants at the site include well decommissioning specialists Well-Safe Solutions, National Oilwell Varco (NOV), Driving Standards Agency and Hydrasun. A community football pitch is also included within the development.

A recent transport study was conducted, with local residents showing support for the re-opening of Cove Bay railway station.

See also

• Banchory-Devenick
• Hare Ness
• Nigg

Further reading

Gray, Douglas W. Cove Bay - A History. ISBN 978-0-9558340-2-8.

External links

• www.cove-bay.com - website