1829
Since the 26th ultimo, there has been an almost universal herring fishing on this coast, from Cellardyke to St Monans, several boats having caught upwards of twenty barrels each for some days back; on the whole, they will average about ten. Last week the fishermen were getting as hagh as 15s and 16s the barrel; they are this week selling at 10s, partly inconsequence of two vessels at Pittenweem having got their cargoes (merchant vessels exporting the catch) If the herring remain on the coast for some time longer, it will prove a great benefit to this quarter particularly to the fishermen along this coast, a most laborious and industrious class of people. There has not been such a universal fishing here at this season for several years back; our quays present a beautiful scene of activity, not only in the curing of herrings, but also that of cod fish, this being the season of them for the London market.
1833
Adventures of a party of strolling thespians.
The Justices of the peace in Kirkcaldy, were on Friday engaged in an examination of ten or twelve strangers under the following circumstances. – A boat was seen on Thursday afternoon, full of people, to pull in and land upon the beach between West Wemyss and Dysart, who, after landing, drew up her on the sands, and carried the oars into a plantation adjoining. They were observed to go towards Dysart, and some persons who had seen them from Wemyss Pier, went, got the oars, and carried the boat into the harbour. They had been seen in Dysart and Kirkcaldy on Thursday enquiring for lodgings; and on Friday forenoon were brought before the Justices, to render an account in regard to the boat. The story told by their leader, Thomas Whitton, is, that they were a party of strolling players, had been acting in Dundee with little success – were in want of cash, and wishing to get back to Edinburgh, fell upon the plan of hiring a boat to take a pleasure sail in the river, but, in place of returning, rowed down, crossed St Andrews bay, and at two in the morning got into Cellardyke, half dead with cold and want.; left that place on Thursday morning and got as far as Wemyss, when cold and stiff with a strong southerly wind, were obliged to run the boat ashore. The boat they say belongs to one, Abbott, in Dundee. Whitton goes under the name of Dunsmore on stage; had a wife with him, she said he was a baker and resided in Thistle Stree , Edinburgh. The Justices ordered them some food and sent them across the ferry.
1835
On Saturday evening, George Lyall, cadger, lost his life, while on the way from Cellardyke to Dundee with fish. It would appear that he had sat down upon his cart, for the purpose of relieving himself from the fatigue of travelling, and had fallen asleep; the horse having gone to the side of the road to take a drink of water, when about a mile westward of St Andrews the cart fell upon the unfortunate man and killed him on the spot. He has left a widow and three children.
1847 (this article seems familiar, but I couldn’t find it posted a year ago, sorry if I have posted this one already)
Highland hospitality has long been proverbial in various climes of the inhabited world. It has been the subject of conversation in domestic circles, the theme of the poet’s song and the toast of the festive board. But we have presently to record a noble instance of that amiable feeling recently exemplified in all its glowing colours in a certain district of the lowlands. On Thursday last a most serene and placid morning proved the treacherous herald of a boisterous and most tempestuous day; insomuch that several of the fishing boats belonging to St Monans, being utterly unable to bear up against the furious elements, were compelled to run for refuge into the port of Cellardyke. The fishing community there displayed a spirit of accommodating humanity that is eminently worthy of intimation. They unmoored and changed position of their own boats in order to provide safe accommodation for those of the tempest beaten strangers, took charge of the mooring of their boats, and appeared to vie with each other in bestowing hospitable entertainment on their drenched and shivering brethren. This exalted principle of feeling even proceeded farther. The strangers having transferred themselves by land to their own homes, and the weather becoming more moderate after night fall, the Cellardyke people magnanimously manned the St Monans boats and brought them safely to their own haven, lest their common occupants should be deprived oif the next day’s fishing in consequence of the inconvenient distance.
Propitious stars! Hasten the happy era
‘When man to man the world o’er
Shall brithers be, an a’ that.’