A Brief History of Eyemouth

Eyemouth (historically spelt Aymouth) is a small town and parish in Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders. It is two miles east of the main north-south A1 road and just 8 miles north of Berwick-upon-Tweed, with a population of about 3,420 people (2004).

It gets its name from the Eye Water flowing into the North Sea, and the natural harbour, formed by the river mouth, has been used as far back as the 1200s and probably much further. The promontory above the bay, which is known as ‘Fort Point’ was fortified in 1547 by invading English troops and again in 1557 by French forces acting on behalf of the Scottish king. The two lines of ramparts, with bastions and gun emplacements, can still be traced in the grass-covered earthworks.

Fishing played a vital part in the local economy as early as 1298; but there has also been tragedy. On 14th October 1881 a sudden and ferocious storm blew up while the fleet was out at sea, and 129 men from Eyemouth lost their lives. That day was named Black Friday. The harbour was planned to be upgraded, but the disaster cancelled these plans, and it wasn’t until 1965 that the harbour and major alterations in 1965, followed by the building of a deep water basin. In the Eyemouth Museum there is a tapestry, designed to commemorate the Eyemouth Disaster.

In the 18th and 19th centuries. Eyemouth was notorious as a centre for smuggling. Duty had to be paid not only on luxury items but on everyday goods such as coal, salt, candles and tea, so both the rich and the poor were involved in this illegal trade. As the Scottish port nearest the continent Eyemouth became a natural place for the illicit import of spirits and other goods. One report suggested that the roof space of Gunsgreen House overlooking the harbour was regulary used to store smuggled tea. There was also talk of underground tunnels, one leading from a fireplace in the house down to the waterside. Many of the features of a traditional fishing village are preserved in the narrow streets and vennels – giving shelter from the sea and well suited to the smuggling tradition.

In the part of town nearest the harbour you find the Auld Kirk, now used as the Eyemouth Museum. The museum has on display a tapestry commemorating the 1881 fishing disaster.

The Eyemouth Herring Queen Festival owes its origins to what was called the Peace Picnic or Fisherman’s Picnic. The first Peace Picnic was organised by the late Mr J. C. Chrystie to celebrate the end of the 1914 – 1918 war. The day was celebrated annually and was look upon as a local holiday for the fishermen of the town and everyone connected with the fishing industry. During the arrangements for the 1939 Picnic, the committee felt that the crowning of a Queen may be of interest to the young folk of the town and also used as a ceremony to symbolise and celebrate the life of the fishing community. The way the Herring Queen has been chosen has changed throughout the years – she used to have to be the daughter of a fisherman; she was the dux of the school; she was selected by popular vote in the local High School; but now a panel of local townspeople make the selection from nominees.

The year will be the 64th crowning of the Eyemouth Herring Queen, and Tasmin Mackechnie will be crowned by the retiring queen, Kendal Smith.