Broad Street (Peterhead)

Broad Street
A 2024 view of Broad Street, looking west to Peterhead Town House. The Reform Monument is in view on the left
Length0.12 mi (0.19 km)
LocationPeterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
East endSeagate
West endMarischal Street and Tollbooth Wynd
Construction
Completion18th century

Broad Street is a street in Peterhead, Scotland. It runs for about 640 feet (200 m), from Seagate in the east to Marischal Street and Tolbooth Wynd in the west.

The street is one-way in a clockwise direction, with public parking along its centre on either side of the Reform Monument.

Broad Street was formerly the eastern terminus of the A950, which runs between Peterhead and New Pitsligo, 19.2 miles (30.9 km) to the northwest. The A950 now ends a short distance to the east.

History

Peterhead developed uphill between the shore and Longate, which was the main historic district of the town prior to the development of Broad Street in the late 18th century.[1] Longate connects to Broad Street at Longate's southern terminus.

Broad Street's level was lowered in 1844.[2]

Several ship owners lived on Broad Street in the mid-19th century, including James Arbuthnot, John Birnie, Robert Birnie, Robert Kidd, George Maitland Jr and the Robertson brothers.[3] Businesses on the street in 1896 included G & J Tytler dressmakers, at 48 Broad Street, and Nathaniel Brooks's bakery at number 71.[4]

Architecture

See also: List of listed buildings in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire

Broad Street is bordered by Peterhead Town House to the west, Arbuthnot House to the east, and lined on both sides "by good houses, hotels and banks".[5] The slope between Broad Street and the harbour "contains some of the most picturesque urban streets in Scotland," according to historian Charles McKean.[6]

There are 22 listed buildings (13 Category B; 9 Category C) on Broad Street:

  • Arbuthnot House, built in 1805. Category B listed[7]
  • 10–16 Broad Street (1–3 Merchant Street). Category B listed
  • Royal Hotel, 23–27 Broad Street. Category C listed
  • 25 Broad Street. Category C listed
  • 28 Broad Street. Category B listed
  • 29–33 Broad Street. Category C listed
  • Bank of Scotland Building, 32 Broad Street, built in 1858. Category B listed
  • 34 Broad Street (1 Rose Street). Category B listed
  • 35 Broad Street. Category C listed
  • 36–38 Broad Street. Category C listed
  • 40–46 Broad Street. Category C listed
  • 53–55 Broad Street. Category C listed
  • 59 Broad Street, built in the mid-18th century. Category B listed
  • 60 Broad Street. Category B listed
  • 61–63 Broad Street. Category C listed
  • 65–71 Broad Street. Category B listed
  • 73 Broad Street. Category B listed
  • 75 Broad Street, built in 1835. Category B listed
  • 77 Broad Street. Category B listed
  • 79–81 Broad Street. Category C listed
  • Reform Monument, built in 1833. Category B listed
  • Peterhead Town House, built in 1788. Category B listed
  • 32 Broad Street
    32 Broad Street
  • 59 Broad Street
    59 Broad Street
  • 75 Broad Street
    75 Broad Street
  • Reform Monument
    Reform Monument

60 Broad Street, at the eastern end of the road, is on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland. It adjoins Arbuthnot House, which is also on the register.[7][8]

A 19th-century photograph of Broad Street, taken from the Town House by George Washington Wilson, is in the portrait gallery of the National Galleries of Scotland.[9] The collection also features a painting of Broad Street by an unknown artist on an unknown date.[10]

References

  1. ^ McKean, Charles (1990). Banff & Buchan: An Illustrated Architectural Guide. Mainstream Publications Ltd. p. 150. ISBN 185158-231-2.
  2. ^ Historic Peterhead: The Archaeological Implications of Development – Scottish Burgh Survey (1982), p. 13
  3. ^ Slater, Isaac (1860). Slater's (late Pigot & Co.'s) Royal National Commercial Directory and Topography of Scotland: With a General Alphabetical and Referential List of the Nobility, Gentry, and Clergy; Embellished with a Large New Map of Scotland, Engraved on Steel. Slater. p. 298.
  4. ^ Inspectorate, Great Britain HM Factory (1897). Factories and Workshops: Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops. p. 359.
  5. ^ McKean, Charles (1990). Banff & Buchan: An Illustrated Architectural Guide. Mainstream Publications Ltd. p. 153. ISBN 185158-231-2.
  6. ^ McKean, Charles (1990). Banff & Buchan: An Illustrated Architectural Guide. Mainstream Publications Ltd. p. 157. ISBN 185158-231-2.
  7. ^ a b "Arbuthnot House, Broad Street, Peterhead | Buildings at Risk Register". www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  8. ^ "60, Broad Street, Peterhead | Buildings at Risk Register". www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Peterhead - Broad Street" – National Galleries of Scotland
  10. ^ "Unknown: Broad Street, Peterhead" – National Galleries of Scotland