Model, of fifie fishing boat

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The fifie was the most common type of Scottish deep-sea fishing boat used from the late 19th century to mid 20th century. It originated in the harbours of the south coast of Fife. This wooden model represents a typical fifie from Wick in Caithness, used for herring fishing around 1900. It is built to a scale of 1:12.

Like all the larger fishing boats of this period, the vessel is fully decked.

Wick was a regular landing place and curing centre from the mid 18th century. By the end of the 19th century, the smaller curing stations along the Caithness coast had declined in favour of Wick. During the summer fishing in July and August, Wick saw a great influx of fishermen, fisher-lassies and traders from other parts of the country for the delivery, packing and salting of the herring into tens of thousands of barrels.

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• Online ID: 000-180-002-068-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1936.151
• Date: Model: Between 1900 and 1936; Original: around 1900
  
• Material: Fishing boat / fifie / model
  
• Dimensions: 60.00" L (hull) x 18.00" W
  
• What: Fishing boat / fifie / model
  
• Subject: 23. SHIPPING, Fishing Boats (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Caithness, Wick
  
• Event:
• Description: Model of the Wick fifie herring boat WK.510 of around 1900, made to a scale of 1:12
  
• References:
  • Storer, J D. Ship Models in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh: A catalogue of models representing the history of shipping from 1500 BC to the present day. Edinburgh: Royal Scottish Museum Information Series, 1985, p 57. 
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