Editing Fraserburgh (section)

===18th and 19th century: further growth and development===
During the 18th and 19th centuries the population of Fraserburgh was growing with peaks due to seasonal employment. From a population of an estimated 1682 in 1755, a population of about 2,000 was recorded in 1780, of whom 1,000 resided in the town proper. There were a further 200 people in the village of Broadsea.<ref name="Fraserburgh 1791">The Statistical Account on the Parish of Fraserburgh, between 1791–1799 (probably 1791) by Rev. Alexander Simpson of the Fraserburgh Old Parish Church</ref>

In 1787, Fraserburgh Castle was converted to [[Kinnaird Head Lighthouse]], Scotland's first mainland lighthouse and the first in Scotland to be lit by the [[Northern Lighthouse Board|Commissioners of Northern Lights]].{{fact|date=January 2024}}

In the 1790s, Rev. Alexander Simpson of the Fraserburgh Old Parish Church described the harbour as "small but good", writing that it had the capability to take vessels with "200 tons burden". The Reverend noted that shipbuilding had become the main industry in the town, especially after 1784, and that the locals were making donations and seeking government assistance to have the harbour enlarged.<ref name="Fraserburgh 1791"/>

In 1803, the original 1571 church building was [[Fraserburgh Old Parish Church|replaced and enlarged]], to a design by [[Alexander Morrice]],<ref name="McKean130">{{cite book |last1=McKean |first1=Charles |title=Banff & Buchan: An Illustrated Architectural Guide |date=1990 |publisher=Mainstream Publications Ltd. |location= |isbn=185158-231-2 |page=130}}</ref> to seat 1,000 people. The Auld Kirk was to be the standing authority in the town up until the 1840s. This period also saw the extension of the harbour, with a northern pier of {{convert|300|yd|m ft}} being built between 1807–1812 and, in 1818, a southern pier being built following an [[act of Parliament (United Kingdom)|act of Parliament]].{{which|date=May 2025}}{{fact|date=January 2024}}

Fraserburgh's population boomed in the early 19th century, from 2271 in 1811 to 2954 by 1831. This was primarily put down to the growth in herring fishing, which intensified in 1815. The herring season also brought with it an additional 1,200 people working in the Parish. Contemporary accounts mention the increase in general wealth brought by this increased trade spurring a change in ''dress and diet'' as well as a ''considerable'' amount of new houses being built in the town.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

No less than £30,000 was spent developing the harbour between 1807 and 1840 by which time the harbour held eight vessels of {{convert|45|-|155|LT|t|abbr=off}} and 220 boats of the herring fishery.<ref>The Statistical Account on the Parish of Fraserburgh (January 1840) by Rev. John Cumming of the Fraserburgh Old Parish Church</ref>

[[Fraserburgh Town House]], which was designed by Thomas Mackenzie of [[James Matthews (architect)|Matthews and MacKenzie]], was completed in 1855.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB31868|desc= Town Hall and Police Office, 3 Saltoun Square and 1-5 Kirk Brae |access-date=23 September 2021}}</ref>