Coordinates: 56°50′N 2°28′W / 56.83°N 2.46°W
| Laurencekirk | |
  Laurencekirk
Laurencekirk shown within Scotland |
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| Population | est. 3,596 (2004) [1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | Aberdeenshire |
| Lieutenancy area | Kincardineshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Postcode district | AB30 |
| Dialling code | 01561 |
| Police | Grampian |
| Fire | Grampian |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine |
| Scottish Parliament | West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Laurencekirk is a small town in the ancient county of Kincardineshire, modern county of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, just off the A90 Dundee to Aberdeen main road. It is the largest settlement in the Howe o' the Mearns area and houses the local secondary school; Mearns Academy, which was awarded the Charter Mark in 2003. The 2004 population is estimated at 3,596.[1]
Its old name was Conveth, a corruption of "Coinmheadh". Laurencekirk is situated in the valley between the Hill of Garvock and the Cairn O' Mount. The famous landmark of the Johnston Tower can be seen on the peak of the Garvock.
Laurencekirk was, in the past, known for making snuff boxes with a special type of airtight hinge (known as a "Laurencekirk hinge") invented by James Sandy.
Lewis Grassic Gibbon wrote much about The Mearns and the surrounding area in his book Sunset Song. A tribute centre can be visited at Arbuthnott a few miles from Laurencekirk.
Services
The Edinburgh to Aberdeen Line passes through the town. The station, which closed to passengers in 1967, was re-opened on 17th May 2009. The opening of this station will cement Laurencekirk's recent status as a commuter town providing links to Aberdeen and Dundee and beyond.
Laurencekirk has three public houses; the Crown and The Royal attract the younger patrons while the Western is a regular haunt for the older locals. Recently the Alma Hotel has been converted to an Indian Restaurant, Bar and Indian Takeaway. There is also a Chinese takeaway and two fish and chip shops, one of which has an extensive dining area.
Amenities include Co-operative Society supermarket, Spar shop, branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, solicitor and estate agent, Post Office, baker, butcher, hairdresser, corporate clothing and business gift supplier, award winning photographer, cafe and hardware/gift shop. The former Laurencekirk Mart houses various facilities including a children's play centre and beauty therapy premises. Civil amenities include a police station, a library and an extensive modern health centre. There are day care facilites and the old primary school houses the community centre which also offers a before and after school club for the children of working parents.
Laurencekirk Primary school was built in 1999 and Mearns Academy, the senior school, is due for replacement in the near future. There are two public parks, both with children's play areas, and in addition the memorial park houses a bowling green and a skate-board facility.
Younger people also have a drop-in centre called The Venue which is situated behind the Masonic Hall. There are two churches – a Church of Scotland and an Episcopalian Church – both of which have active congregations.
Representations are being made for a grade separated junction (flyover) at the south end of the A90 Laurencekirk bypass and a petition has been presented to parliament.
References
External links
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