Cove Bay

Cove has been noted for industries such as granite, which was quarried in several locations to the south of the village. Owing to its close-grained texture, Cove granite was one of the hardest in north-east Scotland and proved highly resistant to frost, making it ideal for causeway stones used in the construction of roads. It was widely exported to cities in England, including Billingsgate Market in London.

The village itself sprung up around the fishing industry, with the boats berthed on a shingle beach, a gap in the rocks that afforded a natural harbour. During this time, it is estimated that approximately 300 people lived in the area. In the mid 19th century the fishing was at its height, which, over years, has included cod, haddock, salmon, herring and shellfish. The piers and breakwater were constructed in 1878. At the end of World War I the fishing began to decline. At present only a couple of boats pursue shellfish on a part-time basis.

Between 1894 and 1937, Cove also housed a fishmeal factory, the Aberdeen Fish Meal Factory, which was located at the edge of the cliffs. It produced quality manure which was exported to both Europe and America. It became locally known as "the stinker" because of the processing odour, which was highlighted by the Aberdeen entertainer Harry Gordon in a parody entitled A Song of Cove.

Cove has a Co-operative on the corner of Earn's Heugh Road and Loirston Avenue.

To the west of Loirston Avenue is the Cove Shopping Centre, which overlooks Loirston Primary School and the local library. This houses a pharmacist, Wee China Takeaway, The Cupcake Stop and Corals Bookmakers.

Within the newer Charleston development of Cove there are several shops. A local Sainsbury's has opened. There is also a hairdressers/beautician (I-Candy), gift shop (Luxe), barbershop (The Cleavin Barber Club), butcher (Meet the Meat), tanning salon (Tan Allure) and a martial arts studio (Aberdeen Martial Arts Group).

There are also 2 RS McColl newsagents. One located at Bervie Brow in Altens, and a second located on the corner of Loirston Road and Cove Road which also houses a Post Office.

The Cove Bay hotel is located on Colsea Road. There is also The Aberdeen Altens Hotel in Altens, which has 216 bedrooms, making it the largest of the three Thistle Hotels in Aberdeen.[4]

There is also a pub, the Langdykes which hosts all live sport and promotes live music every Saturday evening.

Bus services to and from Cove and the wider area of Aberdeen are available. These are run by First Aberdeen with the numbers 3 (to Mastrick) and the 18 to Dyce, via Kincorth. Stagecoach also cover cove partially, with numbers 7A & 8 (Both to the City Centre).

Cove Bay has its own medical centre which also has an NHS dental practice, the Cove Bay Medical Centre. Originally located on Catto Walk, moved to a new facility accessed from Earns Heugh Road. Bupa Dental Care Cove Bay has since moved into the old surgery building on Catto Walk.

Cove is currently home to two football teams: Cove Rangers, who currently play in the Scottish League One. They now play at the Balmoral Stadium in Cove, after they temporarily played at Harlaw Park, Inverurie, as their old home Allan park was demolished to make way for housing in 2015. Cove Thistle, who hold amateur status. Sunday amateur team Cove Revolution folded in 2010. There are also many youth teams in the area that are run by Cove Youth FC. The Cove Youth FC area SFA credited community club, organizing players from 6 years old up to 19 years old. They also have a girls section. The Cove Community Football Trust is run by Cove Rangers FC, Cove Thistle FC and Cove Youth FC.

A state-of-the-art library was recently built between Loirston Primary School and the Cove Shopping Centre. There are blueprints for a local sports centre to also be built in the near future.

Construction on a new Aberdeen Gateway industrial development began in 2008. It will see new offices and industrial units built to the south of the village. Current tenants at the site include National Oilwell Varco (NOV), Driving Standards Agency and Hydrasun. A Community football pitch is also included within the development.