The small fishing village of Auchmithie is perched on the rugged coast of Angus, Scotland. It’s renowned for its rich maritime heritage, and the iconic Arbroath Smokie. However, another equally compelling aspect of Auchmithie’s history is the story of its fisherwomen. These resilient and hardworking women have inspired many, including the creation of my story, “A Gypsy’s Curse.” Consequently, in this blog post, I’ll explore the lives of the Auchmithie fisherwomen and how their legacy continues to influence and inspire.

The Life of Auchmithie Fisherwomen in 1800s Scotland

The fisherwomen of Auchmithie were known for their incredible strength. Both physical and emotional. Certainly, they played a crucial role in the fishing industry, often working long hours in harsh conditions. As noted, their day would begin before dawn, preparing bait and mending nets for their husbands and sons who would head out to sea. Once the men returned with their catch, the women would gut, clean, and smoke the fish, a process that required skill and precision¹.

Besides, these women were not only industrious but also formed a tight-knit community. Because they supported each other through the challenges of daily life: from the dangers of the sea to the hardships of maintaining their households. Their camaraderie and resilience were the backbone of Auchmithie’s fishing industry¹.

The Smoking Process

One of the most distinctive contributions of the Auchmithie fisherwomen was their role in the smoking process of haddock. This led to the creation of the famous Arbroath Smokie. The traditional method involved salting the fish overnight, tying them in pairs, and hanging them over a wooden frame to dry. The fish were then smoked in barrels over hardwood fires, a technique passed down through generations¹. Check out my other article for more info.

Inspiration for “A Gypsy’s Curse”

The strength and determination of the Auchmithie fisherwomen served as a profound inspiration for my story, “A Gypsy’s Curse.” Set in a windswept Scottish village, the story follows Mairead, a Romani storyteller who marries a Scottish fisherman and faces the challenges of a hostile community and a deadly curse². The resilience and solidarity of the Auchmithie fisherwomen are mirrored in Mairead’s character as she navigates the trials and tribulations of her new life.

Accordingly, in “A Gypsy’s Curse,” I sought to capture the essence of their unwavering spirit, their sense of community, and their ability to persevere in the face of adversity. The fisherwomen’s legacy is a testament to the strength and resilience that can be found in even the most challenging circumstances².

Fun fact: my friend Mairead kindly let me use her name. Her ancestors come from the area, and she had mentioned seeing in the museum that women carried the menfolk to the boats on their backs. This caught my imagination and inspired a whole book. Thanks, Mairead!

Scottish Maritime history and female roles

In conclusion, the fisherwomen of Auchmithie are an integral part of Scotland’s maritime history. Their contributions to the fishing industry and their enduring legacy continue to inspire and captivate. Through stories like “A Gypsy’s Curse,” we can honour their memory and celebrate the remarkable lives they led. Whether through their role in the creation of the Arbroath Smokie or their unwavering support for their families and community, the Auchmithie fisherwomen remain a symbol of resilience and strength.

¹: Visit Angus ²: Goodreads

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Book research is the name of this article. Based on the initial research I have done into the lives of gypsies in the UK and fisherfolk in Auchmithie, to get a sense of their lives and challenges, I have begun to draft my early scenes in my new noval (The Fisherwomen of Auchmithie). I can’t wait till the museums reopen to visit the local area and the Lighthouse Museum again. Thanks to the website Auchmithie Roots, and their historians, I found mention of Auchmithie in The Country of Scott. Including the following description of the inside of one of the fisherman’s cottages.

He let me take a photograph of the interior of the cottage, where a single room served for bedroom, breakfast-room, kitchen, and numerous other purposes. (p.157)

So not adding much information to what I had already guessed or discovered, though I’d love to chat to an expert in working-class women’s lives in the early 1800s. The text also mentions policemen referred to as constables and ‘a picturesque old fishwife’:

A picturesque old fishwife, carrying two large empty pails in each hand, came out of her house, all unconscious of the awful presence of a loaded camera and I quickly stepped out and pressed the bulb. ‘That’s Coffee Betz you got then,’ laughed the constable. ‘She wouldn’t let you take her picture, but she’s one of the Cargills.’

The ethics of snapping shots without permission aside, the last quote I came across about wives managing the family money (silver) is cited in this book too and the phrase ‘Them that sell the goods guide the purse – them that guide the purse rule the house’ (p.158).

Historical context

And there is some useful historical context of the French-British conflicts in the early 19th century (1800s) relevant for life in Auchmithie:-

the people of England and Scotland were kept in a state of nervous dread by the expectation of an invasion by the French. Beacons were erected all along the coast ready to give instant alarm, and militia organizations were everywhere kept in a state of readiness. (p.158).

Relevant for a fishy context too; though perhaps only interesting to me … For instance, there’s a mention of bannock-fluke and cock-paddle in the book, which some additional research revealed are turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) which is great to know as my main characters include fishermen and women.

What’s next?

There is plenty more writing and research to go. So for now, I’ll concentrate on the writing side, building my characters and making notes on the side about facts to check. These are but little details to weave into the narrative as I try to capture the lives of the people living back then on the east coast of Scotland. 

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On conducting research for my current book The Fisherwomen of Auchmithie, it’s been tough going finding information on the lives of fisherfolk in the 19th century. I began to read The Antiquary (Walter Scott), as cited on some websites. However, there’s but one description of the inside of a fisherman’s cottage. So from his descriptions I have learnt about the humble Scottish fisherman’s cottage that:

·      * there is a fireplace/hearth inside (possibly coal lit, but this was from other description in another class of housing so might be incorrect) which is for heat, light and cooking;

·     * wooden trenchers are used to prepare food;

·     * which is fried, broiled and smoked fish, plus bannocks (Scottish cake made from oatmeal) and car-cakes (crumpets);

·      * mugs of beer (other sources mention ale);

·      * grandmother is found by the fire in a chair spinning wool (spindle and distaff method);

·     * the door of the cottage closes with a latch.

Yet here is some nice commentary on the importance of the fisherwives taking care of the home when the men were fishing up and down the coast which I had read via other sources.

fisher-wives ken better – they keep the man and keep the house, and keep the siller [silver] too

As soon as the boat touches the sand, the fishermen work, but the wives take the fish ashore, carry the fish in creeils to the next town and sell them.

As sune as the keel o’ the coble touches  the sand, deil a bit mair will the lazy fisher loons work, but the wives maun kilt their coats, and wade into the surf to tak the fish ashore. And then the man casts aff the wat [wet] and puts on the dry, and sits down wi’ his pipe and his gill-stoup ahint the ingle, like any auld houdie, […] the wife, she maun get the scull [creel] on her back, and awa wi’ the fish to the next burrows-town, and scauld and ban wi’ther till it’s sauld [sold]

I have provided some translations for those unfamiliar with the Scots language. I hope this brief post is helpful.

The book wasn’t easy to read, as it rambled, emphasising the importance of the upper classes in my opinion. While I thought this would be a book about the working class, hardworking folk. I have read plenty of nineteenth century literature that is more readable. So unsure now why he is so famous an author. Sometimes we just don’t get into a piece of work, when others might love it. So feel disapointed not to have gotten into the book. And that it wasn’t more useful for contextual information I was searching for.

Who is Emma Parfitt?

Emma Parfitt is a proofreader with 18 years of writing experience with businesses, academics and creative writers. She obtained a Creative Writing MA (St Andrews University) and a PhD in Storytelling (Warwick University). Then set up her own proofreading business and became a published author of fiction, for example, A Friendship of Thistles as well as academic literature such as Young People, Learning & Storytelling (Palgrave Macmillan).

Get in touch!

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