Let's walk back in time and try to see Newburgh through the centuries. Starting at the newly built observation point at the the end of The Coull Walkway', look across at the Forvie Nature Reserve, and imagine the River Ythan, or Ituna, as it once was- a tributary of the Rhine, totally filling the deep valley of today's estuary.

Britain was originally joined to parts of Europe and following the Ice Age. Scotland became separated from Germany and Denmark by the North Sea, or German Ocean as it was known until this Century.

A gravel ridge deposited by the melting glaciers can be seen at Gallows Hill and the huge sand dunes of Forvie Nature Reserve are also the result of glacial deposits.

Late bronze and early iron age peoples travelled along the north-east coast and settled in the area, attracted by the abundance of shellfish and the natural harbour. Traces of the Iron Age settlements are still visible today across on the Sands of Forvie and flints can be found in the deep hollow at the foot of the dunes.

The Picts occupied the surrounding area before and after Roman domination. They were a mixed race comprising descendants of pre-historic east coast dwellers and Celtic invaders from the west. The river not only provided a food store it was also a natural harbour and was probably visited by Norse invaders in their longboats.

The whole of Buchan was under Norwegian rule from 1056 - 1064 after the Vikings plundered much of the East Coast. There is record of Danes landing near Cruden Bay and the Battle of Cruden being fought in 1012 between the Scoto-Picts led by Malcolm mac Kenneth (Malcolm 11) and the Danes led by Cruit. On the death of Thorfinn, in 1064, the Norwegian Kingdom of Scotland fell apart and native chiefs resumed power.

This text was taken from an earlier version of the Newburgh website and unfortunately I do not know who to credit for it.  If you can provide more details or history on the village that can be added here please contact us here.