Navigating the Ythan

The Ythan estuary was once a small, but important port, with quays, warehouses and a granary. Small ocean-going boats used to bring coal and lime to the quay from Newcastle. The coal and fertiliser were then transferred to small barges which were towed up river to be distributed to farms along the Ythan catchment. The barges returned ladened with oats and barley which were dried at the granary and then sent south on the returning coastal vessels. The navigation channel, which had to be dredged on a regular basis, was marked by substantial wooden posts, such as this one.