56 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



sands, now called Abertay, as delineated on the aforesaid plan, and 

 mark the points where the said line intersects the northern and 

 southern shores. Find that the River, Firth, or Water of Tay 

 extends as far down as the line so to be drawn." 



In drawing the line, Mr. Jardine ascertained by observation the 

 meridian of Buddon Ness on 29th July, 1817, the first day after 

 full moon, and at time of low water drew the line from the eastern 

 end of Abertay Sands. At the same time he caused " the hewn 

 Kingoody Sandstones," referred to in his report, to be taken up 

 and placed at the point where the line intersected the shores. 

 These proceedings were formally approved by the Court. 



The Kingoody Sandstone on the north side came to be known as 

 " The Chancellor's Stone," but it cannot now be seen, the supposition 

 being that it is buried deep in drifted sand. The stone on the 

 south shore was known as " The Sea Stone." It was or is in a field 

 nearly two miles east of St. Andrews. A local farmer not knowing 

 it served any useful purpose made a gate-post of it after removing it 

 a short distance. I rather think its use is still that of a gate-post, 

 and since the Chancellor's Stone is not to be found the accurate 

 replacing of the Sea Stone is a matter of some importance which the 

 District Fishery Board might well see to. If it cannot now be 

 conveniently replaced some other mark should be erected. 



Seaweed grows in the estuary as far up as Newbury, which is a 

 short distance below the mouth of the Earn. For a few miles above 

 this the water is brackish. Between Kinfauns and Perth the effect 

 of the tide acts more in damming back the fresh water than in 

 actually mingling with it. The influence 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 



