UK area code
01561 area code — Laurencekirk
01561 is Ofcom’s Laurencekirk numbering area, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. 77 phone companies hold its 90 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01561 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01674 Montrose (14 km) and 01356 Brechin (16 km).
01561 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Laurencekirk
- Council area
- Aberdeenshire
- Country
- Scotland
- Number format
- 01561 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0561)
- Allocated blocks
- 90 of 487 (18%) across 77 providers
- Newest block
- 26 January 2026 (1 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01561 number called you
No clear pattern in reports for these numbers yet. If a call worried you:
- 1
Call back on a number you trust
If a caller says they're your bank, HMRC, a courier or a council, hang up and ring the organisation on the number from its website or your statement, never the number that called you. Caller ID can be faked.
- 2
Forward it to 7726
On a mobile, copy the caller's number from your recent calls and text it to 7726 (it spells SPAM). Scam texts can be forwarded to 7726 as they are. It's free, and your network uses the reports to investigate and block numbers.
- 3
Stop sales calls
Register your landline and mobile free with the Telephone Preference Service (0345 070 0707). Legitimate UK marketers must check it; calls should drop within 28 days. It won't stop scammers.
- 4
If you lost money or shared details
Call your bank on the number on your card (or 159 to reach most UK banks safely), then report it to Police Scotland on 101. In Scotland fraud goes to Police Scotland rather than Report Fraud.
01561 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01561 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01561 234 567.
Before 1995: 01561 took its current form at PhONEday on 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted into every UK geographic code — before that the area dialled 0561.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01561 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01561 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01561 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 26 January 2026. 1 block was allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01561 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01561 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01561, by allocated blocks. The holder is the company Ofcom allocated the block to; a number can since have been ported to another provider (see range holder vs current provider).
| Range holder | Allocated | All blocks | First block | Latest block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 6 | 6 | 10 November 2021 | 10 November 2021 |
| BT | 4 | 4 | 15 July 1994 | 15 July 1994 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 14 May 2008 | 15 March 2016 |
| Digitech Solutions Global Limited | 2 | 2 | 27 April 2010 | 25 June 2012 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 4 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 2 | 2 | 2 May 2017 | 20 December 2023 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 20 January 2012 | 20 January 2012 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 11 September 2012 | 11 September 2012 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 January 2020 | 17 January 2020 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 30 March 2012 | 30 March 2012 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 3 January 2008 | 3 January 2008 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 13 December 2016 | 13 December 2016 |
| Alnitak GmbH | 1 | 1 | 10 June 2016 | 10 June 2016 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 20 March 2009 | 20 March 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 12 May 2010 | 12 May 2010 |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 June 2007 | 21 June 2007 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 3 April 2023 | 3 April 2023 |
| CFL Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 13 July 2009 | 13 July 2009 |
| Colt Technology Services | 1 | 1 | 20 June 2016 | 20 June 2016 |
| Content Guru Limited | 1 | 1 | 12 October 2012 | 12 October 2012 |
| Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 May 2019 | 21 May 2019 |
| DIDWW Ireland Limited | 1 | 1 | 27 January 2020 | 27 January 2020 |
| Datazero Ltd | 1 | 1 | 29 April 2019 | 29 April 2019 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 10 December 2019 | 10 December 2019 |
| EVE CONNECT LTD | 1 | 1 | 15 June 2022 | 15 June 2022 |
| Flextel Limited | 1 | 1 | 2 December 2005 | 2 December 2005 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 1 | 1 | 25 April 2005 | 25 April 2005 |
| Hello Telecom (UK) Limited | 1 | 1 | 2 August 2012 | 2 August 2012 |
| I.T Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 2 September 2016 | 2 September 2016 |
| ICC Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 April 2012 | 17 April 2012 |
Showing the 30 largest of 77 holders.
All number blocks on 01561first 200 of 487, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 156100 | Protected | — |
| +44 156101 | Protected | — |
| +44 156102 | Protected | — |
| +44 156103 | Protected | — |
| +44 156104 | Protected | — |
| +44 156105 | Protected | — |
| +44 156106 | Protected | — |
| +44 156107 | Protected | — |
| +44 156108 | Protected | — |
| +44 156109 | Protected | — |
| +44 156110 | Protected | — |
| +44 156111 | Protected | — |
| +44 156112 | Protected | — |
| +44 156113 | Protected | — |
| +44 156114 | Protected | — |
| +44 156115 | Protected | — |
| +44 156116 | Protected | — |
| +44 156117 | Protected | — |
| +44 156118 | Protected | — |
| +44 156119 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561200 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561201 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561202 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561203 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561204 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561205 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561206 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561207 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561208 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561209 | Protected | — |
| +44 156121 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 156122 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 156123 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 156124 | Allocated | Barritel Limited |
| +44 156125 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 156126 | Protected | — |
| +44 156127 | Allocated | (AQ) LIMITED |
| +44 156128 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 1561290 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561291 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561292 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561293 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561294 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561295 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561296 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561297 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561298 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1561299 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 156130 | Protected | — |
| +44 156131 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 156132 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1561330 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1561331 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1561332 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561333 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561334 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561335 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561336 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1561337 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1561338 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1561339 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 156134 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1561350 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1561351 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1561352 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1561353 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1561354 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1561355 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561356 | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
| +44 1561357 | Allocated | Datazero Ltd |
| +44 1561358 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1561359 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 156136 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 156137 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 156138 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1561390 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561391 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561392 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561393 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561394 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561395 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561396 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561397 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561398 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561399 | Protected | — |
| +44 156140 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 156141 | Allocated | Flextel Limited |
| +44 1561420 | Allocated | Digitech Solutions Global Limited |
| +44 1561421 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561422 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561423 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561424 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561425 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561426 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561427 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561428 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561429 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561430 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561431 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561432 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561433 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561434 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561435 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561436 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561437 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561438 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561439 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561440 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1561441 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1561442 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1561443 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1561444 | Allocated | VoiceHost Limited |
| +44 1561445 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1561446 | Allocated | Redwood Technologies Ltd |
| +44 1561447 | Allocated | Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited |
| +44 1561448 | Allocated | YayYay Limited |
| +44 1561449 | Allocated | XoverX Ltd |
| +44 156145 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 156146 | Protected | — |
| +44 156147 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 1561480 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561481 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561482 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561483 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561484 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561485 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561486 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561487 | Allocated | Spitfire Network Services Limited |
| +44 1561488 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561489 | Protected | — |
| +44 156149 | Allocated | Nationwide Telephone Assistance Ltd |
| +44 156150 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 156151 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 156152 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 156153 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 156154 | Protected | — |
| +44 156155 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 1561560 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1561561 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561562 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561563 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561564 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561565 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561566 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561567 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561568 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561569 | Protected | — |
| +44 156157 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561580 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561581 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561582 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561583 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561584 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561585 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561586 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561587 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1561588 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561589 | Protected | — |
| +44 156159 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 156160 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 156161 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 156162 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 156163 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 156164 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 156165 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 156166 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561670 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561671 | Allocated | Digitech Solutions Global Limited |
| +44 1561672 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 1561673 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1561674 | Allocated | Telephone Box Limited |
| +44 1561675 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1561676 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1561677 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1561678 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1561679 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561680 | Allocated | Phone Co-Op Numbering Limited |
| +44 1561681 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561682 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1561683 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 1561684 | Allocated | Nexbridge Communications Limited |
| +44 1561685 | Allocated | Alnitak GmbH |
| +44 1561686 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561687 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 1561688 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561689 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1561690 | Allocated | I.T Communications Limited |
| +44 1561691 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| +44 1561692 | Allocated | IP Voice Networks Ltd |
| +44 1561693 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1561694 | Allocated | Zapappi Ltd |
| +44 1561695 | Allocated | Number Services Ltd. |
| +44 1561696 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1561697 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1561698 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561699 | Protected | — |
| +44 1561700 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 1561701 | Allocated | VOXYONDER NETWORK SERVICES UK LTD |
| +44 1561702 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1561703 | Allocated | Mi Telecom Limited |
Related lookups
- 01674 Montrose14 km away
- 01356 Brechin16 km away
- 01569 Stonehaven21 km away
- 01330 Banchory24 km away
- Vodafone Ltd (C&W)6 allocated blocks on 01561
- BT4 allocated blocks on 01561
- Digital Space Group Limited2 allocated blocks on 01561
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Scotland codesSame region
- All UK area codesBrowse every 01/02 dialling code
- Lookup any UK numberFree reverse phone lookup
- UK area codes explainedCornerstone guide
- 020 London numbers explainedCornerstone guide
- 0330 numbers explainedCornerstone guide
- How Ofcom allocates UK phone numbersCornerstone guide
FAQs about 01561
Where is area code 01561?
01561 is Ofcom's Laurencekirk numbering area, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Its exchange town is in Aberdeenshire. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1561.
Do I need to dial 01561 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01561 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01561 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01561 numbers written?
Numbers on 01561 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01561 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1561 then the local number.
What was the 01561 area code before?
01561 took its current form at PhONEday on 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted into every UK geographic code — before that the area dialled 0561. Old signage or stationery showing 0561 refers to the same Laurencekirk numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01561 numbers?
Ofcom lists 77 providers with allocated blocks on 01561. The largest are Vodafone with 6 of the 90 allocated blocks, BT with 4 of the 90 allocated blocks and Digital Space Group Limited with 2 of the 90 allocated blocks. Numbers can be ported, so a number's current provider may differ from the block's holder.
Which area codes are next to 01561?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01674 Montrose (14 km), 01356 Brechin (16 km), 01569 Stonehaven (21 km) and 01330 Banchory (24 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01561 number?
On a mobile, text the caller's number to 7726 (free). If you lost money or shared details, call your bank and report it to Police Scotland on 101. Unwanted sales calls go to the ICO after registering with the Telephone Preference Service.