Findlater Portsoy

[warble]

I will be trying to find out any history on Durn House in Portsoy, where we live. The house was built in 1770 although there has been a house on the same site since the 1500's

The old Durn House was bought by Sir William Dunbar (c1640-1710) who was knighted by Charles II, from the Menzies family and sold by his son Sir James Dunbar. Are there any traces of the old house or estate buildings remaining?

[Durnhouse]

Hi

Yes there are as we live there. The House we live in was built in 1770, replacing the original House. It was built by Sir James Dunbar, son of Sir William.

John

[warble]

Hi John,

Sir James Dunbar died in 1737.

RCAHMS shows the Old House of Durn on a different site near Broomhills.

[Durnhouse]

Hi

I have found the following details on the more recent history of shops in Portsoy if it helps:

Aird St. 
 
1.     Nellie Anderson -  Grocer & sweet shop -  closed, now part of a private house.
2.     George Nicol, Baker -   Shop now closed
3.     John Gray’s Cycle Shop.  Shop now demolished
 
Seafield St.
 
4.     J. Duncan & Sons, Drapers: C. Green Chemist – now Ellis, Chemist
5.    David Leys, Watchmaker & Jeweller -   now Tania Hairdresser
6.     Russell & Laird, Shoemakers - closed, now part of a private house
7.     James Davidson, Draper  -  Premises now owned by Donald, Baker, shop empty
8.     Donald, Baker.
9.    Alfie Smith, Cabinet Maker -  now the Co-op Supermarket
10    John Stuart, Baker :  Sandy Bowman Baker – now part of the Station Hotel
11.  William Robertson, Draper   -   Now the Portsoy Ice Cream Shop
12.  Alexander Mair, Grocer -   Now a chip shop
13.  James McDonald (Yankee Jim) –Watchmaker  - Now ladies Hairdresser
14   Co-op : Charles Duncan, Paint shop -   closed now part of a private house.
15   Charles Petrie  - now the Kilt Shop
16   Bessie McWilliam, Grocer, wines & Spirits  - now Ross, Baker
17   James Hendry, Shoemaker -  now a Bookshop
18   Eric Ross, Draper   - now an antique shop
19   William Priest, Hardware – now a taxi office
 
South High Street
 
20   Mrs. Betty Wilson, Merchant   -   now a café
21   Mrs. Betty Wilson, Chip Shop -  shop now vacant
22   Alexander Leys & Sons, clothiers -   now an antique shop
23   William Hay, Butcher -   closed premises for sale
24   Bill & Flo  Wilson – Café and ice cream shop. closed, now part of a private house
25   Fortune & Reid, General Merchants -  shop now closed
26   Hebbie McIntosh  Hairdresser -    closed, now part of a private house
27   W.P. Adamson, Chemist & Newsagent
53   David Miller, Saddler -  building demolished
 
Burnside Street
 
28   Eddie Murdoch, Butcher – closed now a private house
 
Square
 
29   Jess Christie – wool etc shop -  closed now part of a private house
30   William Riddoch, Sweetshop & Sunday newsagent : Bill Masson  - now a thrift shop
31   Alexander Burgess, Baker ; Forrest, Baker
32   Imrie Ross, Cycle Repairs etc. : J. Pirie, Fishmonger -  closed, now part of a private house
33   Post Office  -  closed now part of a private house
34   Arthur Clark, Chemist – now Lamond’s newsagent shop
35   Mrs. Mair’s fish and chip shop and ice cream shop – closed, now part of a private house.
 
Cullen Street
 
36   Mrs. Sutherland, Merchant – closed, now part of a private house.
 
North High Street
 
37  Mrs Jean Hogg, small time grocer  - closed, now part of private house.
38  Mrs. Mair,  small time grocer – closed, now part of private house.
39   Pat Hay, Shoemaker -  closed now part of private house.
 
Low Street
 
40  McBain’s Bakery  - shop now closed
 
Schoolhendry Street
 
41  James George Pirie, General Merchant – closed, now part of private house
42   Hector Rodger’s shoe repair shop  -   now demolished.
 
Institute Street
 
43   Janet Milton, small time grocer - closed, now part of private house
 
Church Street
 
44 George Wood, Grocer -  Closed.  Now used by Grampian Police as a store.
45 Jean Harthill –  Hardware shop.  Now a ladies hairdresser.
46 Annie Riddoch – Grocer and Sweet shop – closed, now part of a private house.
47 George McBain and Son – Fish and chip shop, later a grocer.  Now closed.
48 Alex. Barron, Paint shop  -  closed, now part of a private house
49 Johnny Minty – hairdresser closed, now part of a private house.
 
Bridge Street
 
50   G.G. McRobie, General Merchant – closed, now a private house.
 
Culbert Street
 
51   Jessie Mair, Wool and Female Clothing - closed, now part of a private house.
52   Alex Bennett, Men’s Hairdresser  - closed , now part of a private house.

Cheers

John