Welcome to Turriff

Turriff is located in the north-east of Scotland, in the county of Aberdeenshire, approximately 560 miles north of London and 12 miles south of Banff.

The town has a population of around 3,500. Administratively, it is was within the district of Banff and Buchan until 1996 when it was incorporated into the Aberdeenshire unitary area which covers approximately 6,313 sq kms.

Sited on a hill top overlooking the Burn of Turriff (Idoch Water) near its confluence with the River Deveron, it is an ancient and busy market town of red sandstone buildings. Amongst its historic sites are the 11th century parish church, which has a double belfry and houses a bell dated 1559, and the nearby Delgatie Castle believed to date from 1030. Turriff is notable as the location of the first skirmish of the Civil War when, in 1639, royalist forces routed a band of Covenanters, the incident becoming known as 'The Trot of Turriff'. Turriff is perhaps best known for the 'Turra Show' which began in 1864. This two-day agricultural show is held in August each year and is one of the largest in Scotland, regularly attracting around 40,000 visitors.

Although settlement here was earlier, the town was granted burgh status in 1512. A major incident in the town's history took place in 1639 when the marquis of Huntly marched on, and occupied, the town with 2000 men. It was to prevent a meeting of Covenanters which was to be held in Turriff on 14th February, the incident thereafter became known as the 'First raid of Turray'. Another episode, the Turra Coo incident, took place here in 1913 with protestors refusing to pay National Insurance when it was introduced by Lloyd George's government.

Historically the town's economy was based upon agriculture, and today Turriff is still an important market town and service centre for its rural farming hinterland.

The name Turriff is believed to derive from the Scottish Gaelic "torr" meaning 'a mound or round hill', or "tur" meaning 'a tower'.