58 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



of the tide reaches to the Woody Island above the North Inch 

 of Perth. 



A battle of modern times took place one dark night a short 

 distance above Newburgh. It is still spoken of as the battle 

 of the Gutter Hole, and it may be mentioned here because it 

 was of great moment, I believe, in bringing about the end of 

 estuary poaching on anything like an extensive scale. The 

 Gutter Hole is the name of a fishing station, and was the scene 

 of the encounter. Gangs of men had for some time been 

 working nets in spite of the watchers, and emboldened by 

 success, and with steady additions to their numbers, were 

 beginning to openly defy the river watchers even in daylight. 

 The watchers finding themselves in a powerless minority 

 quickly sought help from Mr. Lumsden's force up the river, 

 and, on a night appointed, two boat crews floated silently down 

 the river. A large body of poachers were discovered with two 

 boats busily at work. A skirmish, or perhaps more properly 

 a reconnaissance, accompanied with a deal of stone throwing 

 on the poachers' part, enabled the party of water bailiffs to 

 estimate the force they had to deal with. Mr. Lumsden then 

 drew off his men, landed, and deployed till he was able, unseen, 

 to approach from the land within striking distance. After 

 waiting till the law-breakers were busily engaged in hauling 

 their net the signal for attack was given, and a determined 

 little battle immediately ensued. Many crowns were cracked, 

 and a good deal of damage was done on both sides, but the 

 discomfiture of the poachers was complete, and many prisoners 

 were secured. Two men who tried to swim to Mugdrum 

 Island were drowned. Feeling ran high in Newburgh, and 

 the police scented manslaughter to follow. Fortunately, 

 however, the well-planned attack at the Gutter Hole had 

 produced sufficient impression, and the Courts wound up the 

 proceedings without any additional charges. The result in 

 all conscience was serious enough. Doctors were busy as well 

 as lawyers ; but open poaching was crushed. 



Such adventures are still possible in Ireland, but it is well- 

 nigh incredible that in peaceful Scotland such things should 

 have taken place not so very long ago. On the Borders, 

 matters are at times perhaps not dissimilar, and in Aberdeen- 

 shire there are also some hardy rascals to deal with, but no 



