12 THE .SCOTCH EAST COAST HERRING FISHING. 



Curing yards are commonly square shaped. The 

 buildings constituting a yard differ very much, in fact 

 every locality has a different style. At Fraserburgh and 

 Peterhead some very fine yards have been built lately. 

 The frontages are of stone, and perhaps several stores are 

 also of stone, but generally there are one or more wooden 

 erections, stones, kilns, or coverings. At Pointlaw, Aber- 

 deen, there are thirty-five yards, which are all, without 

 exception, built of wood. This is owing to the short leases 

 obtainable from the Harbour Commissioners. Pointlaw 

 is part of the reclaimed ground at the Inches, and it is 

 specially set apart for fish-curing. 



The portion fronting the street or lane is generally the 

 " gutting shed." Through a swing door or doors in the 

 front of this shed the herrings are tumbled promiscuously, 

 and fall into a large square box, or tank, called a " farlin," 

 i.e. a repository for the herrings, where they are " roused," 

 and await the process of gutting. Adjoining is the " cooper- 

 age." In front thereof, at a distance of a few yards, is the 

 " firing-plate and truss-hoops." Sufficient storage ac- 

 commodation is required for the barrels, salt, hoops and 

 staves. Of late I have noticed an improvement in 

 the gutting-sheds ; I refer to the laying of the floors with 

 concrete. It is worthy of mention that the fish-curers at 

 Shetland, while laying out capital on their yards, are likewise 

 under the necessity of providing "jetties," or landing slips 

 near their stations at their own expense. I sincerely trust 

 their enterprise will be rewarded. Shetland may be said 

 to have risen within the past two years from insignificance 

 to eminence. Whereas last year curing was carried on 

 under difficulty, the catch being rather too heavy to be 

 worked properly, the temporary curing yards seeming 

 swamps, shipment difficult, communication limited, and 



