Altens, a coast hamlet in Nigg parish, Kincardineshire, 2¼ miles SSE of Aberdeen. It was formerly a considerable fishing settlement: but owing to the badness of its harbour, and the want of suitable means for curing haddocks, it became deserted by fishermen.

(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)