- Cove Bay
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Coordinates: 57°06′18″N 2°05′20″W / 57.105°N 2.089°W
Cove Bay 
Cove Bay
Cove Bay shown within ScotlandPopulation 7,157 [2] OS grid reference NJ946015 Council area Aberdeen City Lieutenancy area Aberdeen Country Scotland Sovereign state United Kingdom Post town ABERDEEN Postcode district AB12 3xx Dialling code 01224 89xxxx Police Fire Ambulance Scottish EU Parliament Scotland UK Parliament Aberdeen South Scottish Parliament Aberdeen South and North Kincardine List of places: UK • Scotland • Cove Bay is a suburb on the south-east edge of Aberdeen, Scotland. The 2001 Census showed the population as 7,157 [1].
Today Cove is a popular residential location owing to its village-like status and the nearby Altens and Tullos Industrial Estates, affording ample employment opportunities. There is also easy access to the A90.
Contents
History
Cove Bay is situated to the east of the ancient Causey Mounth, which road was built on high ground to make passable this only available medieval route from coastal points south from Stonehaven to Aberdeen. This ancient trackway specifically connected the River Dee crossing (where the Bridge of Dee is located) via Portlethen Moss, Muchalls Castle and Stonehaven to the south.[2] The route was that taken by William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal and the Marquess of Montrose, who led a Covenanter army of 9000 men in the battle of the Civil War in 1639.[3]
Prior to 1975 it was a village in the extreme north-east corner of Kincardine, governed from Stonehaven. Though simply referred to as Cove, in the 19th and early 20th centuries it was known as The Cove, becoming Cove Bay around 1912.
Industry
Cove has been noted for industries such as granite, which was quarried in several locations to the south of the village. Owing to its close-grained texture, Cove granite was one of the hardest in north-east Scotland and proved highly resistant to frost, making it ideal for causeway stones used in the construction of roads. It was widely exported to cities in England, including Billingsgate Market in London.
Fishing
The village itself sprung up around the fishing industry, with the boats berthed on a shingle beach, a gap in the rocks that afforded a natural harbour. During this time, it is estimated that approximately 300 people lived in the area. In the mid 19th century the fishing was at its height, which, over years, has included cod, haddock, salmon, herring and shellfish. The piers and breakwater were constructed in 1878. At the end of World War I the fishing began to decline. At present only a couple of boats pursue shellfish on a part-time basis.
Between 1894 and 1937, Cove also housed a fishmeal factory, the Aberdeen Fish Meal Factory, which was located at the edge of the cliffs. It produced quality manure which was exported to both Europe and America. It became locally known as "the stinker" because of the processing odour, which was highlighted by the Aberdeen entertainer Harry Gordon in a parody entitled A Song of Cove.
Amenities
Retail
To the west of Loirston Road is the Cove Shopping Centre, which overlooks Loirston Primary School. This houses a Co-Operative Food conveience store, a bookmaker, pharmacist and Chinese takeaway/Chip shop.
There is also an RS McColl newsagent.
Hospitality
The Cove Bay hotel is located on Colsea Road. There is also a Thistle Hotels branch located in Altens, which has 216 bedrooms, making it the largest of the three Thistle Hotels in Aberdeen [4].
There is also a pub, the Langdykes, which can be located next to the Cove Shopping Centre.
Transport
A bus service to and from the city centre which is run by First Group. Local residents can take the number 3 or 21 bus out of the area.
Healthcare
Cove Bay has its own medical centre, the Cove Bay Medical Centre. It was originally located on Catto Walk, but moved to a new facility off Earns Hugh Road. Cove Dental Care has since moved into the old surgery building.
Sport
Cove is currently home to two football teams: Cove Rangers, who currently play in the Highland Football League at Allan Park, and Cove Thistle, who hold amateur status. There are also many youth teams in the area.
Other Amenities
A state-of-the-art library was recently built between Loirston Primary School and the Cove Shopping Centre. There are blueprints for a local sports centre to also be built in the near future.
Education
Cove has two primary schools, Loirston Primary School and Charleston Primary School. Most secondary pupils attend the nearby Kincorth Academy, but some choose to go to Portlethen Academy.
Future Developments
Aberdeen Gateway
Construction on a new Aberdeen Gateway industrial development began in 2008. It will see new offices to the south of the village. Current tenants at the site include National Oilwell Varco (NOV) and Hydrasun.
West Cove
Plans for 737 new houses on three sites east of Wellington Road have recently[when?] been approved by Aberdeen City Council [5], stretching from the northern end of Charleston Road to Langdykes Road. Two of the sites will be built by Stewart Milne Homes, with the third by Scotia Homes.
The development will include flats and terraced, semi-detached and detached houses alongside geen spaces, parks, children's play areas. A new high street will also be built, offering 1,525 m2 of commercial and retail space [6].
New Aberdeen FC Stadium
Construction on the new 22,000-capacity Aberdeen FC stadium by the Loch of Loirston is to begin in 2012. It is hoped it will be ready for use by the 2013/14 football season [7].
See also: New Aberdeen StadiumSee also
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ C. Michael Hogan, Causey Mounth, Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham, Nov. 3, 2007
- ^ Archibald Watt, Highways and Byways around Kincardineshire, Stonehaven Heritage Society (1985)
- ^ http://www.thistle.com/hotels/united_kingdom/aberdeen/aberdeen_altens/index.html
- ^ http://www.whathouse.co.uk/news/Plans-for-737-new-homes-in-Aberdeen-approved-230
- ^ http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CouncilNews/ci_cns/pr_covehomes_180811.asp
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14571784
External links
- www.cove-bay.com - website
Areas of Aberdeen 
- See Areas of Aberdeen for a more complete list of the city's districts and areas.
Altens · Balnagask · Bieldside · Bridge of Dee · Bridge of Don · Broomhill · Bucksburn · Cornhill · Cove Bay · Cults · Danestone · Dyce · Footdee · Foresterhill · Garthdee · Hazlehead · Hilton · Kincorth · Kingswells · Kittybrewster · Mannofield · Mastrick · Midstocket · Milltimber · Nigg · Northfield · Old Aberdeen · Peterculter · Queen's Cross · Rosemount · Rubislaw · Summerhill · Tillydrone · Torry · Tullos · Woodside
Gray, Douglas W.. Cove Bay - A History. ISBN 978-0-9558340-2-8.
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