312 TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE. 



FISHERIES. 



CHAPTEE XXXVII. 



Supply offish in Scotland Herring-fishery Highlanders coming to Herring- 

 fishing Fishermen of east coast Difference of Language in Nairn 

 Departure of Herring-boats ; dangers to which they are exposed Loss of 

 Boats and Lives Fisliing in good weather Loch fishing Fishing Sta- 

 tions on west coast Fishing for Haddocks, &c. State of British Sea- 

 fisheries. 



THE northern seas and bays of Scotland swarm with fish to 

 an almost unequalled extent ; and although in many situations 

 and districts considerable use is made of this bountiful 

 provision of nature, it cannot be doubted that much greater 

 benefit might be obtained from it. 



As far as relates to commercial speculation the herring 

 holds the first place, or nearly so. The fishermen on this 

 eastern coast go out about the middle of July ; previous to 

 which they have been for some weeks employed in preparing 

 their boats, overhauling their tackle, and engaging extra 

 hands, generally Highlanders, who come down to the coast at 

 this season in order to hire themselves to the owners of the 

 boats for the six or eight weeks during which they are out at 

 sea. These men earn during the season from three to six 

 pounds, a perfect godsend to the poor fellows, whose eyes are 

 seldom gladdened by the sight of hard money during the rest 

 of the year. Just before the time when the herring boats go 

 out, the roads are dotted with little groups of Highlanders, 

 each man having a small parcel of necessaries tied up in a 

 handkerchief and earned on a stick over his shoulder. They 

 are sadly footsore and wayworn by the time they have 

 traversed the island from the west coast. Being little 

 accustomed for the most -part to walking anywhere but on 

 springy heather and turf, the hard roads try them severely. 

 Most of them are undersized and bad specimens of the Celtic 

 race. Very little English is spoken amongst them, as not 

 one in ten understands a word of anything but Gaelic. 

 When they have occasion to go into a road-side shop to 

 purchase anything, or to ask a question, a consultation is first 

 held amongst the party, and then the most learned in Saxon 

 is deputed to act as spokesman, for there is scarcely any 



