314 TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE. 



but too young to be allowed to accompany his father, hide 

 amongst the nets, sails, &c., in the boats, hoping to get taken 

 out unobserved, till they were too far out at sea to send him 

 back. The little fellows, however, seldom succeeded, and 

 were generally chucked uncermoniously enough out of the 

 boat, either on to the pier whilst the boat was passing 

 alongside of it, or into some of the numerous haddock and 

 other fishing boats which lie at anchor in the harbour. 



The herring season, although a time of hard work to the 

 men, is for the most part a time of rest to the women. 

 Instead of having to tramp, as they shortly hope to do, miles 

 into the country with a weight of fish on their back which 

 would be almost a burthen for a donkey, they have little else 

 to do than to gossip with each other, and set lines about the 

 harbour and shores, excepting in those places where the 

 herrings are cured, and put into casks for foreign consumption, 

 where they are busy enough. The boats which go out from 

 many of our small towns seldom return home again until the 

 season is over ; but leave the produce of their fishing at the 

 curing stations every night if possible. 



The herring fishermen have not only much hard work, but 

 many dangers to contend with. Whilst far out at sea tending 

 their nets during the night-time, storms of wind suddenly 

 come on ; and a scene of hurry and confusion ensues which 

 can scarcely be imagined. Anxious to save their tackle and 

 unwilling to lose any chance, the men in some boats are 

 busily engaged hauling up their nets ; other boats are driving 

 past them with everything in confusion and their sails 

 flapping in the wind. Others, manned by more prudent and 

 able hands, who have foreseen the coming storm, are scudding 

 with everything snug for the nearest port, and lucky are the 

 boats which reach it without loss of tackle or life. Frequently 

 by waiting too long, whilst endeavouring to save their nets, 

 the poor herring fishers are placed in the utmost danger, and 

 are driven helplessly out to sea, where they either toss about 

 at the mercy of the winds and waves till the storm somewhat 

 abates, or are swamped and lost, the men probably having 

 been wearied out by their efforts to keep the boat's head 

 straight to avoid shipping the broken waves which surround 

 them. The crews, too, the chief part of whom are generally 

 landsmen, or, at best, men accustomed only to the calm 

 waters of the west coast lochs, become disheartened and 

 useless at the hour of need, affording little assistance to the 



