Pitsligo

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use British English|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox UK place |static_image= File:North-eastern part of Pitsligo Castle - geograph.org.uk - 1025288.jpg |static_image_width= |static_image_caption=Ruins of Pitsligo Castle |country = Scotland |official_name= Pitsligo |gaelic_name= |population = |population_ref = |os_grid_reference= NJ942676 |map_type=Scotland |label_position=top |civil_parish= |unitary_scotland= |lieutenancy_scotland= Aberdeenshire |constituency_westminster= |constituency_scottish_parliament= |coordinates = {{coord|57.699805|-2.08093|display=inline,title}} |post_town= |postcode_district = |postcode_area= |dial_code= }}

'''Pitsligo''' was a coastal parish in the historic county of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, containing the fishing villages of Rosehearty, Pittulie and Sandhaven,<ref name=ord1334>[https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=ZrGM8n_uNOcC ''Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Graphic and Accurate Description of Every Place in Scotland''], Frances Hindes Groome (1901), p. 1334</ref> 3 miles (6 km) west of Fraserburgh and 12 miles (19 km) north of Mintlaw.<ref>[https://www.scottish-places.info/parishes/parfirst196.html Parish of Pitsligo] - ''Gazetteer for Scotland''</ref>

The name is derived from the Gaelic ''Peit Shligeach'', meaning "portion of land abounding in shells". The parish was established on 28 June 1633, from parts of the existing parishes of Aberdour, Fraserburgh and Tyrie. Pitsligo Castle dates from the 15th century.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM6146|desc=Pitsligo Castle|access-date=8 March 2019}}</ref>

Old Pitsligo Church, known locally as the Rathill or Peathill Kirk, dates to 1632. Its loft, described by Charles McKean as "magnificent", was added two years later. It was later moved and installed in the Hill Church of Rosehearty. The church was constructed after Pitsligo seceded from the parish of Aberdour. It is believed the split occurred after a minister "ranted in a sermon" about the "three Pits of Hell", namely Pittulie, Pittendrum and Pitsligo.<ref name="McKean">{{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=121}}</ref>

==Old Pitsligo Church== <gallery> File:Old Pitsligo Parish Church near Rosehearty - geograph.org.uk - 14997.jpg|The ruins of the church, 2004 </gallery>

==Notable people== *Hugh Mercer, soldier

==See also== *New Pitsligo

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Former populated places in Scotland Category:Banff and Buchan