Little is written about early fishing methods or the boats used in the Moray Firth. However we know that early in the 16th Century, fishing for herring was controlled by the Dutch whose “busses” fished from the Shetlands down the east coast of Britain.

Fishing in the Moray Firth was limited to line fishing from small boats inshore. These boats sailed from small communities where there were suitable beaches or inlets in the rocks.

Until 1855 all the boats were open, without any sort of protection. They were up to about 30ft. long with a high peaked dipping lug sail. There were two main classes:
• The Skaffie - with a rounded stem and a raked stern; and
• The Fifie - with a slightly raked stem and stern.

Around 1875 larger boats were needed and a new class, the Zulu was introduced.

Fifies and Zulus were increased in size from the late 1800’s and could be up to 70ft keel length. These large boats had a foremast of up to 60ft above the deck and a slightly smaller mizzen. At this time the herring fishing was at its height and these boats followed the herring.

You can still see original boats afloat around the Moray Firth. The “Isabella Fortuna” is a Fifie owned by Wick Heritage Trust. Another Fifie, the “Liberty”, and a reproduction Skaffie, “Obair na Ghoal” are at Portsoy Maritime Heritage. At Lybster Heritage “Waterlines” Centre, you can watch a replica 18 foot “Baldie” - a local yawl - being built.

On the river Spey, a coracle was used, made of a wicker basket covered with hide. A full size replica has just been created, which will go on display in the Elgin Museum, as well as a half-size model at the Wildlife Centre in Spey Bay.
Text by Sinclair Young