Pulteneytown
| Pulteneytown | |
| Caithness | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ND361501 |
| Location: | 58°26’5"N, 3°5’48"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Wick |
| Postcode: | KW1 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Highland |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross |
Pulteneytown is a Caithness village now incorporated with neighbouring Wick, the county town, sitting across the Wick River from the main town, on the river's south bank. Until 1902 Pulteney town was administered separately from the Royal Burgh of Wick.
Pulteney town takes its name from Sir William Pulteney, a governor of the British Fisheries Society. In the early years of the 19th century Sir William commissioned Britain's leading civil engineer, Thomas Telford, to design and supervise the creation of a major new herring fishing town and harbour at the estuary of the River Wick.[1]
Pulteneytown was so named after the death of Sir William in 1805 and became a major player in the 19th century herring boom. It was built in order to supply work to those evicted during the Highland Clearances.[2] During this boom period the harbour was expanded still further by local shipbuilder James Bremner. History of this era is preserved in the collections of Wick Heritage Museum.
As created by the British Fisheries Society, Pulteneytown consisted of Lower Pulteney and Upper Pulteney. Lower Pulteney was primarily a working area, built on a sandbank behind the harbour. Upper Pulteney was primarily a residential area, on higher ground.
Church
Pulteneytown Parish Church (of the Church of Scotland) is located in Argyle Square and was opened in 1842. Additional hall accommodation has been added and the main church completely renovated to a very high standard for the needs of a twenty-first century congregation. Services are held twice every Sunday.
Miscellany
The Old Pulteney whisky distillery is in the Pulteneytown area. The first Caithness Glass factory was also in this area. Caithness Glass has now left both the town and Caithness.