Murthlacum
Dufftown
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 Approaching the clock tower in the middle of Dufftown |
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 Dufftown
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| Dufftown shown within Moray | |
| Population | 1,667 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | NJ323399 |
| • Edinburgh | 108 mi (174 km) SSW |
| • London | 430 mi (692 km) SSE |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | KEITH |
| Postcode district | AB55 |
| Dialling code | 01340 |
| Police | Scottish |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Dufftown (Scottish Gaelic: Baile Bhainidh [ˈpaləˈvanɪʝ]) is a burgh in Moray, Scotland.
Dufftown is in the ancient parish of Mortlach (Scottish Gaelic: Mòrthlach). The old Kirkton of Mortlach, with its historic church, is on the southern outskirts of the present town. In the 19th century, James Duff, 4th Earl Fife, established Dufftown as housing for soldiers returning home from the Napoleonic War.
In the Middle Ages, Mortlach (in Latin Murthlacum) was an episcopal see.
Dufftown hosts a highland games event every July which attracts many tourists.
Dufftown's notable buildings include Balvenie Castle, which was partly built with stones from the ruins of nearby Auchindoun Castle. The street plan of Dufftown is mainly four main roads meeting at the clock tower; previously a prison but now a tourist information centre.
The Diocese of Mortlach was one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. The names of four bishops of the see are known:
Today, the Diocese of Mortlach, under its Latin name of Murthlacum, is a titular see of the Catholic Church.
Dufftown has an oceanic climate typical of Northern Scotland, characterised by relatively mild, damp winters and cool cloudy summers. The area averages 76 air frosts a year. Like much of Europe, Dufftown's climate is insulated somewhat by the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current originating near the gulf of Mexico. This warm ocean current makes Dufftown's climate significantly milder during the winter than expected for its latitude.
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Wikipedia