The fishing industry in Scotland has a long history stretching back to medieval times. Fish was exported to continental Europe and fishing communities developed along the coastline. The herring industry accounted for a large proportion of the trade, both at home and abroad, reaching a peak in 1907. Two World Wars and the over-exploitation of stocks led to diminished fish numbers, and various attempts have been made to protect territorial waters from non-local fishermen. As of 2021, the area round the Clyde Estuary has begun to recover, although with different types of fish. Sprats rather than herring have become the predominant species, which may be an unexpected bonus for whale-watchers and the Scottish tourist industry.
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
- Address: Shiprow, Aberdeen AB11 5BY
- Tel: 0300 020 0293
- E-mail: info@aagm.co.uk
- Website: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/plan-your-visit/aberdeen-maritime-museum
Coastal Communities Museum
- Address: School Road, North Berwick EH39 4JU
- Tel: 01620 894313
- E-mail: (Contact form online)
- www.coastalmuseum.org
Longhope Lifeboat Museum
- Address: Brims, South Walls, Orkney KW16 3NZ
- Tel: 01856 701737
- E-mail: longhope50@gmail.com
- Website: www.longhopelifeboat.org.uk/museum
Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
- Address: Stevenson Road, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire AB43 9DU
- Tel: 01346 511022
- E-mail: manager@lighthousemuseum.org.uk
- https://lighthousemuseum.org.uk/
Scottish Fisheries Museum
- Address: St Ayles Crescent, Harbourhead, Cellardyke, Anstruther KY10 3AB
- Tel: 01333 310628
- E-mail: enquiries@scotfishmuseum.org
- Website: www.scotfishmuseum.org
Scotland Maritime Museum
- Address: Linthouse Building, Irvine KA12 8BT
- Tel: 01294 278283
- E-mail: visitorservices@scotmaritime.org.uk
- Website: www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org/irvine-museum
Scottish Maritme Museum
- Address: Castle Street, Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire G82 1QS
- Tel: 01389 763444
- E-mail: denny@scotmaritime.org.uk
- Website: www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org/dumbarton-museum
Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum
- Address: Hynish, Isle of Tiree PA77 6UG
- Tel: 01879 220045
- E-mail: Info@hebrideantrust.org
- Website: www.nlb.org.uk/lighthouses/skerryvore
Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour
- Address: 150 Pointhouse Road, Govan, Glasgow G3 8RS
- Tel: 0141 357 3699
- E-mail: (Contact form online)
- Website: https://thetallship.com
Trinity House Maritime Museum
- Address: 99 Kirkgate, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6BJ
- Tel: 0131 554 3289
- E-mail: (Contact form online)
- Website: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/trinity-house
Unst Heritage Centre
- Address: Unst Heritage Trust, Old School, Haroldswick, Unst, Shetland ZE2 9EQ
- Tel: 01957 711528
- E-mail: info@unstheritage.com
- Website: www.unstheritage.com/web/unst-heritage-centre
Waterlines Visitors Centre
- Address: Harbour, Lybster, Caithness KW3 6DB
- Tel: 01593 721520
- E-mail: –
- Website: http://lybstergolfclub.co.uk/waterlines-visitor-centre/4538638024
[Photo by Mike Smith on Unsplash]