xxvi 



Fifth Annual Report of the 



Harbour at 

 Portnockie 

 good example 

 of what may- 

 be done by 

 self-reliant and 

 well-directed 

 effort. 



St. Monance 

 Harbour 

 another 

 instance of a 

 like character. 



Banffshire, which, as already stated, we are about to take in hand, 

 is a good example of what may be accomplished by self-reliant, 

 well-directed effort. The movement began some four or five years 

 ago with the holding of a bazaar at Cullen, the proceeds of which 

 realised well on to £500. The fishermen voluntarily assessed 

 themselves at the rate of £1 per Lewis boat, £1 per summer boat, 

 and 6d. per £1 ou ail other fishings. The sums thus raised, as they 

 accumulated, were lodged in the hands of Lady Seafield, who 

 allowed 4 per cent, interest half-yearly. These sums at the pre- 

 sent date, with interest accrued, amount to nearly £1800. 



The late Lord Seafield, with the view of stimulating the efforts 

 of the fishermen, promised that, when they had raised £3000, he 

 would add to it another £1000. Lady Seafield generously agreed 

 to carry out the excellent purpose of her lamented son by at once 

 contributing the amount which he promised, and this, with another 

 handsome contribution of £100, makes a total of £2900. 



It is understood that the balance of the sum required by the 

 Board to be found in the locality has been obtained from the North 

 of Scotland Bank on a cash account bond, which is in process of 

 being signed by the representative fishermen of the village and 

 others. The case may be taken as a typical example of what our 

 fishermen are ready to accomplish for themselves, and the public 

 benefit which would result from such efforts in a more organised 

 form. 



The case of St Monance harbour is auother instance which may 

 be referred to. 



The harbour is the property of the Town Council as representing 

 the community, but there is no municipal or harbour revenue avail- 

 able to extend or repair it. About twenty- three years ago the har- 

 bour had become so dilapidated and unsafe, that the fishermen 

 were compelled to make an effort to obtain larger and safer accom- 

 modation. Applications for aid were made in various directions, 

 but unsuccessfully, and the fishermen then unanimously agreed 

 to undertake the duty themselves. In public meeting they elected 

 a Harbour Improvement Committee out of their own number, and 

 unanimously agreed to subject themselves to a weekly voluntary 

 tax of sixpence per man, as a first charge on their earnings. The 

 nucleus of a fund was thus created. Messrs D. & T. Stevenson, 

 C.E., were instructed to prepare plans for a new harbour, and the 

 National Bank of Scotland, on the personal bond of each skipper 

 and fisherman in St Monance, and on the further security of the 

 common good of the burgh, advanced sufficient funds, and the 

 harbour was built. In 1879 the whole of the borrowed money, 

 along with all interest on the loan, was finally paid off, the total 

 amount being £8577. At that date the boats had again increased 

 so greatly in size and number that additional space and protection 

 became indispensable. Application was again made to the bank 

 for a new loan, and an addition to the harbour with an area of 

 about two acres was built. Towards the liquidation of principal 

 and interest on this new loan a large sum has already been paid. 

 During the past twenty-three years the fishermen, unaided, have 

 collected and paid £10,450 for the harbour, and they are at present 

 due to the bank a balance of £7500, making in all £17,950 pro- 



