Peterhead is a substantial-looking seaport town, the houses being mostly built of granite from quarries near.  It stands on the south side of the mouth of the river Ugie, and has two harbours, one on the north and the other on the south side of the peninsula.  The latter, which is the oldest, was formed in the year 1773, from plans by Mr Smeaton, the great engineer of those days; and the north harbour in 1818, from those by Mr Telford.  Piers run out from the shore, which is lined by fine quays.