Old Travel Blog Photograph Fishwives Curing Yard Lerwick Shetland Islands Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of Fishwives in the Curing Yard in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland. Girls as young as 14 were given their first taste of freedom, as they followed the migratory route of the herring from Shetland down the east coast of England, gutting and packing these highly prized fish by the barrel full. Woken at 5.00am to the cry of " up lasses and wrap your fingers " the women would bind their fingers with material to protect them from the sharp knives and salt and then begin their long day, which, if the fishing catch had been good, could go on until midnight. Based in huts at one of the many curing stations, the gutters would work outside, unprotected from the elements. Despite the hardships and basic living conditions, the girls were renowned for their tough work ethic and strong sense of camaraderie. The gutting and packing women were integral to the success of the herring fishery. The first settlement to be known as Lerwick was founded in the 17th century as a herring and white fish seaport to trade with the Dutch fishing fleet. When Lerwick became more prosperous through sea trade and the fishing industry during the 19th century, the town expanded in 1891 to the west of Hillhead, thereby including the former civil parishes of Gulberwick und Quarff, as well as the islands parish of Burra. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.