| Administrative History | Pennan harbour was originally part of the estate of Auchmedden, owned by the Baird family: rights to build a harbour were granted to the family in 1699, and a collection at Mohr Parish Church let to the building of the first harbour in 1704 (Pennan Conservation Area Appraisal report, June 2022). Repair work was carried out in 1799 and 1845 (Pennan Conservation Area Appraisal report, June 2022). A Harbour Committee, chaired by John Sleigh of Strichen (the Bairds' factor on their Strichen and Auchmedden estates), had been formed in 1890 with the object of making improvements to the harbour (Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser, 2 October 1890, p. 6). A Provisional Order had been obtained in 1891, but the Fishery Board had insufficient funds to support the application (Peterhead Sentinel and General Advertiser for Buchan District, 08 May 1891, p2).
In 1903 the trustees of George A. Baird (who had died in 1891) applied for the Pennan Harbour Order 1903, under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, to constitute Pennan Harbour Trustees with powers to construct and maintain new harbour works. The proposed works was a new west pier/breakwater designed by James Barron. The order would also give the Trustees power to borrow and levy harbour dues. The trustees were to be five in number, three appointed by the Auchmedden Trustees and two by the owners of fishing boats and ships and others who pay 20s a year harbour dues. Operations began in 1904 with John McConachie as contractor.
In 2004 The Pennan Harbour Revision Order 2014 was obtained which reconstituted the Harbour Trust as a registered Trust Port (see https://www.pennanharbour.com/about). |