Welcome to the Caithness Archive’s exhibition exploring the history of Wick Harbour. The exhibition delves into the past, examining the events and people who are now an indelible part of the harbour’s history and heritage.
The herring industry is the nucleus of these stories and activities and will be seen to loom large within the political, social and environmental landscape.
You will find reproduced myriad historical archives; evidence of past activity and transaction that allow us a deeper insight into the narratives, vocations and circumstances that filled the harbour with life.
Many of the archives reproduced below were accessioned into our collections from the Wick Society and we are very grateful to be able to showcase them here. We would also like to thank Am Baile and the Johnstone Collection for kind permission to reproduce many of the images included.
Browse, read, listen and explore — there is a whole world from the past waiting to be discovered.
Fishermen
Explore the world of Wick’s fishermen, from herring fishing and daily routines to maritime customs, superstitions and community life.
Herring gutters
Discover the lives of Wick’s herring gutters, the women whose skill and hard work powered the herring industry and shaped harbour life.
Coopers
Explore the vital role of Wick’s coopers, whose craftsmanship supplied the barrels that supported the thriving herring industry and harbour economy.
Curers
Discover the vital role of fish curers in Wick’s herring industry, from preserving and exporting catches to managing complex trading networks.
Video presentation and timelines
Watch an immersive presentation and explore timelines that bring the history of Wick Harbour and its people to life through archive collections.
Explore more
Continue your journey into Wick Harbour’s history with archive collections, online exhibitions, films and resources from Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives.
