CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 237 



were generally all full, and of an equality of size, and 

 well adapted for curing. The appearances were in every 

 way indicative of the advantage of making Aberdeen a 

 herring-fishery station, and the proximity of the harbour 

 to the sea gives better facility than at many other places. 

 At Fowlsheugh, near Aberdeen, the appearance of many 

 whales, porpoises, and aquatic birds, which sometimes fol- 

 low^ the shoals of herrings, and thus indicate in some 

 localities the presence of herrings, was very remarkable ; 

 and the procuring herrings of such superior quality so 

 early on this coast is of great importance, because on 

 the north side of the Moray Firth for instance, herrings 

 are not generally fished to any great extent before the 

 middle of August. At the fishing stations of Fraserburgh, 

 Peterhead, and Banff, the quantities cured early in 

 1836 were also very satisfactory ; and the advantages of 

 steamers and railways must, no doubt, add greatly to the 

 larger demand for this wholesome and cheap species of 

 food, by enabling the purchaser to supply the wants of 

 the most distant inhabitants of the country in a state of 

 perfection, not previously seen at such a distance from the 

 fishing stations. 



In the year 1836 the fishing was later than usual on 

 the Caithness coast, but latterly the quantity daily 

 caught for a short time was considerable. We were so 

 fortunate as to receive from the late talented poet, Mr 

 Robert Gilfillan, who happened to be on a pleasure tour 

 in Wick Bay, on the first successful night of the season, 

 the following graphic account of the animated appearance 

 off this important fishing station : — 



" A more animated, and perhaps spirit-stirring scene 

 could not be witnessed than the herring-fishing on the 

 coast of Caithness. This we enjoyed to the full extent on 



