Old Photographs Fishwives Newhaven Scotland

Old photograph of fishwives in Newhaven, Edinburgh, Scotland. Although close by Edinburgh, the people of Newhaven remained distinctive in dress and tradition. As a result the village and its residents have been well documented in photographs and postcards intended to show the distinctive local character, notably by the pioneer Victorian photographers David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson who photographed many of the fishermen and fishwives of Newhaven in both their village surroundings and the partnership's Calton Hill studio in Edinburgh. The Society of Free Fishermen of Newhaven, dating from at least 1572, was one of the oldest friendly societies in Scotland. It survived until 1989. Up to the end of the 20th century, pilots of ships on the Firth of Forth traditionally came from a close knit group of Newhaven families. The early pilots provided their own crews and sailing cutters which were regarded as the fastest and most seaworthy available. Between 1572 and 1890, Newhaven was a major port for landing oysters. It also played a role in the fishing and whaling industry.





All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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