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Collieston

Description: Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The numerous sea caves in the nearby cliffs, and small coves with shingle beaches provided ... more

Collieston ... ideal terrain for smugglers. In the late 1700s it was estimated by the Excise that up to 8000 gallons of foreign spirits were being illegally landed in the area every month. In 1798, the notorious village smuggler, Phillip Kennedy, was killed by a blow from an exciseman's cutlass. His grave and tombstone still stands in the village graveyard. Collieston is now mainly a commuter village serving Aberdeen, and is largely given over to tourists during the summer months.

Newest Review: ... She sails under Dutch colours, and has three main points of call on this North East coast – Collieston, Cruden and Peterhead. As always, she has lain offshore until nightfall. All the villagers of Collieston lend a hand, and the illicit cargo is off-loaded into a dinghy, and thence to the agreed landing point. It is packed into creels, and carried on the backs of the men, women and ... more

... children, to a point near the temporary hiding place. And the Crooked Mary is off. She hastily sails outwith the prescribed limit, beyond which a vessel sailing under Dutch colours cannot not be seized. But tonight, luck is not on her side. A King’...more

Read Reviews for Collieston

Collieston: The Tale of Crooked Mary. (1203 words)
by - written on 16/02/01 (Very useful, 130 readings)
Rating:

And who was Crooked Mary, you may ask? And what does she have to do with Collieston? Well, I hope by now you have read Machar’s opinion on this fascinating and picturesque little village. If not, go and do it now, but don’t forget to come back. Because I don’t intend to repeat any of the information Machar has given you in her excellent review. No, I’m on a history and folklore theme. And if both Machar and Dooyoo will permit me, I offer this as a “footnote” to Machar’s op. Collieston is only a few miles away for me, and it’s a lovely little place. Although in these present times, it has more than ... Read the complete review

Peace and tranquillity. (491 words)
by - written on 06/02/01 (Very useful, 115 readings)
Rating:

If you follow the A90 out of Aberdeen and take the turn off for Newburgh and then the turn off for Collieston, you will discover one of Aberdeen's hidden havens of peace and quiet. A lot of people miss Collieston as they drive further up the coast to visit Slains Castle. Perhaps it's a good thing that most people miss Collieston as it's not big enough to hold a lot of people! Collieston is an old fishing village that is built around a small steep cove. The cove is beautiful with little cottages and houses perched on the side of the cliffs. I used to know someone who lived in one of these houses and their address was "The Cliff" instead ... Read the complete review