11 



Fishing Grounds. — It was thought desirable to obtain 

 information relating to the more distant fishing grounds. The 

 data obtained is here placed on record. Whilst the details may 

 be lacking in some respects, it is felt that a general view of the 

 grounds has been arrived at without which it is impossible to 

 consider the various herring shoals and their probable relationship 

 to each other. 



The Stornoway shoals, or rather those found in the waters 

 between the Mainland and the Outer Hebrides, are many in number, 

 and vary in the time fished and the class of herrings they jdeld. 

 This is a peculiar area j^ielding herrings of all ages and different 

 spawning periods, and the peculiarity of the area probably arises 

 from the currents there found. " Round the north end of the 

 Island of Lewis, the (tidal) stream bends into the Minch and meets 

 the stream from the southward, the course of both streams being 

 nearly the same as if there was an embankment from Loch Shell 

 in the Island of Lewis to RuRea on the coast of Ross-shire. At 

 the same time, another branch of the stream which has rounded 

 Ardnamurchan Point flows through Sleat Sound, and being an hour 

 earlier than the tide which has rounded the north end of Skye, it 

 pours with great velocity through Kyle Rea, but owing to the 

 undulations round Skye meeting near Kyle Akin there is little 

 stream through that narrow opening ; the flood stream, as it is 

 stated, sometimes flowing in one direction and sometimes in the 

 other, according to the prevailing winds." "'^ 



From information supplied by Mr. Duncan Maclver the herring 

 grounds are as follows : — 



1. From the Shiant Isles northward to Stoer Head. June, 



July and August, mostly mattie herrings ; September, 

 spawning herrings and spents ; winter months, full 

 herrings. 



2. From Loch Ewe southward to Rona Head. August, 



mostly mattie herrings ; January and February, full 

 herrings ; March, spawning fish and spents. 



3. From Kebock Head southward to Rodel (Harris). July, 



August and early September, mattie herrings. Seldom 

 fished in winter months. 



* Ainsley's Nautical Almanac, 1920; page 162. 



