Maggie Law Maritime Museum
The Maggie Law Maritime Museum in Aberdeenshire offers a vivid tribute to the fishing heritage of Gourdon, centred around one remarkable vessel: the Maggie Law, a 19th‑century inshore lifeboat built in 1890. For decades, this stout craft saved lives along a notoriously dangerous stretch of coastline, crewed entirely by local fishermen. Its survival — and its place at the heart of the museum — makes it one of Scotland’s most evocative maritime artefacts. Inside, visitors can explore displays that trace Gourdon’s fishing traditions, from early sail‑powered boats to the rise of steam and diesel engines. The museum holds an impressive collection of tools, navigational instruments and photographs that document the daily realities of North Sea fishing. Stories of storms, rescues and community resilience are woven throughout the exhibits, giving the museum a deeply personal atmosphere. The reconstructed wheelhouse and model boats offer insight into how local vessels were designed for speed, stability and survival. You can also see memorabilia from the village’s boatbuilders, whose craftsmanship shaped Gourdon’s reputation for reliable fishing craft.
Gourdon Scotland
Maggie Law Maritime Museum sits in the heart of the old fishing village of Gourdon on the Aberdeenshire coast. The address is William Street, Gourdon, DD10 0LW. It is housed in the former coastguard building right beside the harbour and slipway, and its star exhibit is the historic surf boat Maggie Law herself, along with a collection of maritime artefacts and local fishing stories. The harbour is just outside the door and makes a pleasant place to wander among the boats and fish sheds. A short drive south brings you to the neighbouring village of Johnshaven, home to its own small heritage museum in the old lifeboat house. Heading north about ten miles takes you to Stonehaven, with its lively harbour, beach and the spectacular cliff-top ruins of Dunnottar Castle. Further south, the town of Montrose offers the Montrose Museum and the elegant House of Dun with its gardens. Coastal paths link many of these spots and give fine views of the North Sea.