Wm. Dalgleish, Laird of Scotscraig, purchased the property of Thomas Gorrie, a Tavern Keeper, and in 1805 replaced the small pier as shown on the 1769 Hope Map, with the larger stone pier which was often referred to as the Ferry Pier or County Pier. It forms the west edge of the west basin, which is known locally as the Old Harbour. Located on the south edge of the basin is the former Boiling House and slip from the time of the salmon fishing industry which was converted into a residence in the 1970s. Prior to the construction of the Railway Harbour in 1851, there was also a larger shipping pier under the ownership of the Lairds, at that time the Stark Dougall family, where vessels landed with coal and other cargoes while grain, potatoes and other kinds of goods were shipped to London and other ports.

Boat building activities of the pre-railway period  were carried out by a Mr John Calman in a location which was cut off from access to the river when the yards were acquired by the Railway Company in 1846. Mr Calman subsequently moved to Dundee to carry on his business and a Mr. Moyes similarly relocated to Broughty. The type of early vessel built is illustrated by the press advert “ A BRIGANTINE for Sale at the Ferry-Port-on-Craig 4th April 1816. She had a 54ft. Keel, breadth of beam 20.1/2ft., depth of hold 10 ft. 5” and admeasures about 110 tons. Apply to Walter Keay shipbuilder FPoC

The ship and boat building yards at Tayport belonging to the Tayport Slip Company and leased by a Mr James Mitchell, boat builder, “ were almost entirely destroyed by fire last night” as reported by the local press in February 1880. Damage was done to significant areas of the shed but a large fishing yawl under construction was saved. The lack of a of a fire engine and hose in the village required the men to bucket water from the adjacent boiler house tank, from nearby wells and from the sea.

On April 9th 1885 the Dundee / Edinburgh train was nearly two hours late, as the low tide and sand bank prevented the Auld Reekie from entering the harbour, requiring the large number of passengers to be transferred by two trips of the steamer James Cox. This was a period of increased passenger numbers before completion of the replacement Tay rail bridge in June 1887. Silting of the harbour has been a significant issue for the operation of the facility since its construction by the railway company. A lawsuit in Dundee Sheriff Court March 1933, saw  Methil Ship owner Matthew Taylor’s case against London & North Eastern Railway, which alleged silt in the entrance channel had held up their vessel the S.S. Aberhill in 1927, found not proven in relation to liability. The movement of the sand in the entrance channel, reflects the powerful nature of the River Tay which as the longest river in Scotland, has the largest measured discharge in the UK. The Old Bell visible on early photos of the Railway Harbour is still in position on the square head. https://pastmap.org.uk/