Banff

Banff in 1769

Bamff, pleasantly seated on the side of a hill; has several streets; but that with the town-house in it, adorned with a new spire, is very handsome. This place was erected into a borough by virtue of a charter from Robert II dated Octob. 7: 1372, endowing it with the same privileges and putting it on the same footing with the burgh of Aberdeen; but tradition says it was founded in the reign of Malcolm Canmore. The harbour is very bad, as the entrance at the mouth of the Devron is very uncertain, being often stopped by the shifting of the sands, which are continually changing, in great storms; the pier is therefore placed on the outside. Much salmon is exported from hence. About Troop Head, some kelp is made; and the adventurers pay the Lord of the manour 50l. per ann. for the liberty of collecting the materials.

Bamff had only one monastery, that of the Carmelites, dedicated to the Virgin Mary; whose rents, place and lands were bestowed on King's College in Aberdeen by James VI.