Peterhead was founded in 1587 by George and Robert Kieth. The population then was around 50 people, mostly fishermen.
Much of the early port activity took place in the sheltered channel between the mainland and Keith Inch, and in 1739 a causeway was built connecting the island to the mainland. In the 1770s the South Harbour was built by John Smeaton, and Thomas Telford designed the North Harbour, added in the 1820s.
The building of the harbours and the boom in whaling saw Peterhead become one of the two biggest whaling ports in Britain the other being Hull. As whaling declined so herring fishing boomed and like the whaling it was overfished and the subsequent decline saw a move to white fish. Since the 1970s the oil industry has taken over providing support boats for the offshore North Sea rigs.
Peterhead, because of it's industries , is an austere place, not a great place for tourists. It does however provide a safe haven for yachtmen on an otherwise unforgiving coastline.
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