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National Gazetteer, 1868

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Bervie - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

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"BERVIE, (or Inverbervie), a parish and market town in the county of Kincardine, Scotland, 88 miles to the N.E. of Edinburgh. It is situated on the south bank, and near the mouth, of the river Bervie, which has a course of about 15 miles from Glenbervie, where it rises, to the sea. This town is about to be a station on the Scottish North-Eastern railway. The parish includes the village of Gourdon. Bervie was constituted a royal burgh by a charter of David II.; granted in the year 1362, and renewed by James VI. The occasion of granting the charter is said to have been the kindness shown the king by the inhabitants when he was shipwrecked on their coast. The government of the burgh is vested in a provost, 3 bailies, a dean of guild, and 9 councillors. Its revenue is about £150. It is also a parliamentary burgh, one of those contributory to Montrose in the election of one representative. The town is very irregularly built, and some of the inhabitants are employed in linen-weaving and the fisheries. The river contains trout and salmon, and is crossed by a one arched bridge. Bervie Brow is a promontory at the mouth of the river, opposite the town, and is locally called Craig David, in memory of the king's landing at that spot in the storm. Bervie Hill rises to the height of about 400 feet. The living, which is of the value of about £142, is in the presbytery of Fordoun, and in the patronage of the crown. Hallgreen Castle is the principal seat. The market is held on Wednesday, and fairs on the Thursday before the 19th May and September, the Wednesday before the 22nd November and Christmas (old style)."

"GOURDON, a fishing village in the parish of Bervie, county Kincardine, Scotland, 2 miles S. of Bervie. It has a small harbour, and carries on some trade in coal, lime, grain, &c."

Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003