RCAHMS logo
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland - recording and promoting Scotland's built heritage
 

How to use our resources, publications and prices
What services we can give you
Frequently asked questions
Fill out our simple enquiry form
Find out how you can order images and information
Prices for all the services we provide
A list of our publications
Click here to send us an email

Go back to the homepage

Site location map

Exploring Your Heritage  
  Defence - click for further informationHousing - click for further informationScottish Industry: Textiles - click for further informationReligious Worship in Scotland: The Nineteenth Century - click for further informationReligious Worship in Scotland: Middle Ages - click for further informationI am researching my family history. Can you help me? - click for further informationWhat information do you have on Taymouth Castle, Perth and Kinross? - click for further informationScottish Industry - click for further informationTransport - click for further informationHousing: Tenements and Tower Blocks - click for further informationTwentieth Century Housing - click for further informationScottish Industry: Food and Drink - click for further informationTwentieth Century Military - click for further informationHenges - click for further informationRomans in Scotland - click for further information I am interested in the archaeology on the Isle of Eigg. What information do you have? - click for further informationPictish Stones - click for further informationReligious Worship in Scotland: Early Christian Era - click for further informationHelensburgh - Click for further informationBrechin and its surrounding area - Click for further informationArran - Click for further informationWestern Isles - Click for further informationDingwall and Ross & Cromarty - Click for further informationGrantown on Spey and Badenoch & Strathspey - Click for further information  
 

Housing

Historic view of fishermen working on nets - click for a larger image

Enlarge this image SC747688

Anstruther Wester, Fife
Anstruther, a fishing town on the east coast of Fife, was once the main herring port in Scotland. The town originally developed as two separate communities, Anstruther Easter and Anstruther Wester, which grew up on either side of the Dreel Burn. This photograph of the Esplanade and the Parish Church at Anstruther Wester was taken c.1885 by Erskine Beveridge.

Anstruther Wester's early prosperity derived from salmon fishing but the industry declined in the 18th century, most of the fishing in the area being concentrated in the larger harbour of Anstruther Easter. By 1837 no mention was being made of any fishing or trading activity in the Wester harbour, and after 1850 all traffic to the harbour finally ceased. The pier was let for some years to fishermen for laying up their boats, and there was still some part-time fishing going on in the burgh. However, in 1899 the Town Council finally ordered that boats were no longer to lie on the pier.

 
       
    Other sites of interest  
       
 
Enlarge this image Historic streetscene - click for a larger image
SC893169

North Wynd, Dalkeith, Midlothian. This photograph was taken in 1937 shortly before demolition.

 
     
 
Enlarge this image View of two rows of housing - click for a larger image
SC893195

George Street, Avoch, Highland, photographed in 1973. These early 19th century houses are oriented with their gable-ends facing the sea, in response to the sometimes harsh weather conditions.

 
     
 
Enlarge this image Historic view of blackhouses - click for a larger image
SC684175

Kentangavel, Barra, Western Isles. 'Blackhouses', photographed by Erskine Beveridge in 1898.

 
     
 
Enlarge this image Drawing of plans, elevations and sections - click for a larger image
SC893174

Mains of Idoch, Aberdeenshire. This drawing dates from 1875 and is by the Turriff architectural firm James Duncan.

 
       
  Go back to the top of this page    
  Updated 5 Sep 2005
  Privacy StatementCrown Copyright : RCAHMS 2004Freedom of Information Publication Scheme