Nigg

"NIGG, a parish in the county of Kincardine, Scotland. It extends about 5 miles in length from N.E. to S.W., with an extreme breadth of 3. This parish, which is situated at the N.E. extremity of the shire, comprises the villages of Cove, Torry, Burnbank, and Charlston. The surface is of a hilly nature, that chain of mountains called the Grampians terminating at the German Ocean here. It is crossed by a ridge, 200 feet above sea-level, but which is arable for some distance from its base. On the summit of the ridge are two extensive cairns, which serve as landmarks. The surface is chiefly of a moory and mossy character. There are several granite quarries, which are worked to a great extent, above 4,000 tons being annually exported. The coast is rocky and bold, the cliffs rising along the E. shore from 60 to 80 feet. The N.E. point, called the Girdle Ness, is a remarkable promontory forming the S. side of the estuary of the Dee. There is a small bay, called the Bay of Nigg, at the head of which stands the parish church. The village of Nigg is about 1 mile S. of Aberdeen. It is situated on a peninsula, formed by the river Dee and Nigg Bay, under Girdleness Point. It formerly belonged to Arbroath Abbey, which had a cell at Abbot's Walls. In the villages of Cove and Torry the fisheries are prosecuted with success. There are both a ferry and a bridge over the river Dee at this point. This parish is in the presbytery and synod of Aberdeen, and in the patronage of the crown. The minister has a stipend of £160. The parish church, erected in 1829, is a structure of granite, with a quadrangular tower. There are a parochial school, and three others. There is a holy well, called Downy Well, in the Bay of Nigg, much frequented by visitors from Aberdeen in the month of May. At Abbot's Walls have been found some silver medals struck in 1559, on the marriage of Queen Mary."

Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)